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IndianaSB 261Second Regular Session 124th General Assembly (2026)Senate

Criminal vandalism.

Sponsored By: Michael Young (Republican)

Signed by Governor

corrections and criminal lawthe housecourts and criminal code

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

8 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 3 costs, 5 mixed.

Driver’s license penalties for graffiti

Beginning July 1, 2026, the Bureau of Motor Vehicles suspends your license or cancels your permit when a court issues certain vandalism orders. If you are convicted of graffiti, a court can suspend your license for up to one year. The court can end the suspension early if you remove or paint over the graffiti or make suitable restitution. For juveniles found delinquent for graffiti, the court can suspend a license or cancel a permit for one year.

Tougher penalties for serious vandalism

Beginning July 1, 2026, criminal vandalism is a Class A misdemeanor if damage costs $750 to $49,999. It is a Level 6 felony at $50,000 or more, or for harms like disrupting public utility service, damaging a public record, a police animal, or jail fire‑suppression gear. Damage to schools, religious sites, farms, research facilities, and vacant property can be felonies when losses are higher. Causing damage by fire or explosion during drug dealing or manufacture is a Level 6 felony, raised to Level 5 if someone else has moderate injury.

Less diversion for youth driving vandalism

Beginning July 1, 2026, a person under 18 charged with certain vandalism while driving cannot get diversion under the listed statute. These cases move forward in regular prosecution instead of that diversion path.

Clearer definitions for vandalism cases

Beginning July 1, 2026, the law defines "pecuniary loss" as all costs to restore damaged property, including inspection, cleaning, and decontamination. It also clarifies who counts as an "owner," what places qualify as a "cave," what counts as "scientific purposes," and what "refuse" means for littering. These definitions guide how cases are charged and how losses are measured.

New rules for foreclosed-home damage

Beginning July 1, 2026, it is a crime to damage, remove, or deface listed fixtures or parts of real property in foreclosure. The law defines which homes are "in foreclosure." There is a defense for good‑faith repair, renovation, replacement, or maintenance. The prior foreclosure‑specific mischief statute is repealed and the case moves under the updated vandalism rules.

Old vandalism laws repealed, replaced

Beginning July 1, 2026, the state repeals older, stand‑alone laws for cemetery damage, railroad mischief, cave protections, and critical‑infrastructure mischief. These cases now use the updated, consolidated vandalism rules and penalty tiers.

Stronger sanctions for infrastructure attacks

Beginning July 1, 2026, conspiring to vandalize critical infrastructure can bring a fine up to $100,000. People harmed by vandalism to critical infrastructure can sue to recover damages. Those who pay others to carry out the vandalism can also be sued.

Vandalism counts as domestic violence

Beginning July 1, 2026, arson or mischief vandalism is listed as a crime involving domestic or family violence. This can affect sentences and related legal consequences in those cases.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Michael Young

    Republican • Senate

Cosponsors

  • Aaron Freeman

    Republican • Senate

  • Andrew Ireland

    Republican • House

  • Garrett Bascom

    Republican • House

  • Rodney Pol

    Democratic • Senate

  • Scott Baldwin

    Republican • Senate

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 144 • No: 1

House vote • 2/24/2026

Roll Call 352 on SB0261.03.COMH

Yes: 97 • No: 0 • Other: 2

Senate vote • 1/28/2026

Roll Call 126 on SB0261.02.COMS

Yes: 47 • No: 1

Actions Timeline

  1. Signed by the Governor

    3/5/2026Senate

  2. Public Law 132

    3/5/2026Senate

  3. Signed by the Speaker

    2/27/2026House

  4. Signed by the President Pro Tempore

    2/27/2026Senate

  5. Signed by the President of the Senate

    2/27/2026Senate

  6. Returned to the Senate without amendments

    2/25/2026House

  7. Third reading: passed; Roll Call 352: yeas 97, nays 0

    2/24/2026House

  8. Second reading: ordered engrossed

    2/23/2026House

  9. Committee report: do pass, adopted

    2/18/2026House

  10. First reading: referred to Committee on Courts and Criminal Code

    2/2/2026House

  11. Referred to the House

    1/29/2026Senate

  12. House sponsor: Representative Ireland

    1/28/2026Senate

  13. Senator Pol added as coauthor

    1/28/2026Senate

  14. Senator Baldwin added as third author

    1/28/2026Senate

  15. Representative Ireland removed as sponsor

    1/28/2026Senate

  16. Cosponsor: Representative Ireland

    1/28/2026Senate

  17. Third reading: passed; Roll Call 126: yeas 47, nays 1

    1/28/2026Senate

  18. House sponsor: Representative Bascom

    1/28/2026Senate

  19. Second reading: ordered engrossed

    1/26/2026Senate

  20. Senator Freeman added as second author

    1/26/2026Senate

  21. Committee report: amend do pass, adopted

    1/22/2026Senate

  22. First reading: referred to Committee on Corrections and Criminal Law

    1/8/2026Senate

  23. Authored by Senator Young M

    1/8/2026Senate

Bill Text

  • Enrolled Senate Bill (S)

    PDF

  • Introduced Senate Bill (S)

    PDF

  • Senate Bill (H)

    PDF

  • Senate Bill (S)

    PDF

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