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

Criminal vandalism.

Sponsored By: Michael Young (Republican)

Signed by Governor

Summary

Renames the crime of "criminal mischief" to "criminal vandalism". Repeals: (1) institutional criminal mischief; (2) cemetery mischief; (3) railroad mischief; and (4) critical infrastructure facility mischief; places them in the "criminal vandalism" statute, and preserves the original penalties and defenses. Repeals and places provisions involving damage to a cave in the criminal vandalism statute. Repeals and places provisions involving depositing refuse in a cave in the littering statute. Makes conforming amendments.

corrections and criminal lawthe housecourts and criminal code

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

5 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 2 costs, 2 mixed.

Graffiti can cost drivers their licenses

Beginning July 1, 2026, courts may order license suspensions or learner's permit invalidations after graffiti vandalism convictions. The restriction can last up to one year. Juvenile courts may impose a one-year restriction after a delinquency finding for graffiti that would be criminal vandalism for an adult. Courts may end these orders early after graffiti removal, painting over the graffiti, or suitable restitution.

Vandalism penalties depend on damage caused

Beginning July 1, 2026, Indiana combines separate cemetery, railroad, cave, foreclosure, and critical infrastructure offenses into its criminal vandalism rules. These rules cover reckless, knowing, or intentional damage to another person's property without consent. The baseline is a Class B misdemeanor; loss of $750 to under $50,000 generally means a Class A misdemeanor. Loss of $50,000 or more generally means a Level 6 felony. Special rules protect places of worship, schools, community centers, research property, vacant property, cemeteries, and caves. Specified damage to these protected places becomes a Level 5 felony at $50,000 in loss. Specified railroad damage is a Level 6 felony, rising to Level 5 for serious bodily injury and Level 2 for death. Critical infrastructure damage is a Level 5 felony, rising to Level 4 for $50,000 in loss or substantial public utility disruption. Other felony triggers include public utility disruption, damage to public records or law enforcement animals, and specified fire-safety equipment damage. Certain drug-related fires or explosions causing moderate bodily injury also trigger Level 5 penalties. Foreclosure-property offenses range from Class B misdemeanors to Level 6 felonies at the same dollar thresholds. Good-faith repair, renovation, replacement, or maintenance provides a defense for the covered foreclosure conduct.

Household vandalism counts as domestic violence

Beginning July 1, 2026, Indiana includes criminal vandalism in its definition of crimes involving domestic or family violence. This applies when one family or household member commits, attempts, or conspires to commit the offense against another. The classification applies under laws that use that definition.

Cave littering brings fines and misdemeanors

Beginning July 1, 2026, placing or leaving refuse in a cave is a Class A infraction. The judgment can reach $1,000 per violation. Reckless, knowing, or intentional repeat violations become Class C misdemeanors. That applies after a prior unrelated conviction or juvenile adjudication for the same violation within the previous five years.

Infrastructure vandalism conspiracies carry substantial fines

Beginning July 1, 2026, conspiring with another person to commit vandalism involving a critical infrastructure facility carries financial penalties. A person involved in that conspiracy faces a fine of up to $100,000.

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

Third reading: passed

Yes: 97 • No: 0

Senate vote • 1/28/2026

Third reading: passed

Yes: 47 • No: 1

Actions Timeline

  1. Public Law 132

    3/5/2026Senate
  2. Signed by the Governor

    3/5/2026Senate
  3. Signed by the President Pro Tempore

    2/27/2026Senate
  4. Signed by the President of the Senate

    2/27/2026Senate
  5. Signed by the Speaker

    2/27/2026House
  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. Authored by Senator Young M

    1/8/2026Senate
  23. First reading: referred to Committee on Corrections and Criminal Law

    1/8/2026Senate

Bill Text

  • Enrolled Senate Bill (S)

  • Introduced Senate Bill (S)

  • Senate Bill (H)

  • Senate Bill (S)

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