Bills & Legislation

High value workforce ready credit-bearing grant.

Amends eligibility requirements for the high value workforce ready credit-bearing grant.

Robert BehningRepublican

Riverfront economic development tax area.

Allows the legislative body of a city or a county without a consolidated city to adopt a resolution establishing a riverfront economic development tax area (tax area). Sets forth requirements for the location of the tax area. Requires the legislative body to make findings when adopting a resolution. Requires the legislative body to submit a resolution establishing a tax area to the budget committee and budget agency for review and approval. Allows a tax area to receive incremental state income tax revenue and incremental sales tax revenue attributable to the tax area. Requires a city or county that establishes a tax area to establish a riverfront economic development area fund. Provides that a tax area terminates not later than 25 years after the date on which the resolution establishing the tax area is adopted.

Tonya PfaffDemocrat

Free state park admission for non-motorized entry.

Provides that the department of natural resources may not charge an individual traveling on foot, a bicycle, or horseback an admission fee for a state park or recreation area.

Carey HamiltonDemocrat

Chemical castration for certain sex offenders.

Allows a court to order that a sex offender, whose victim was under 14 years of age, may only be eligible for parole, probation, or community corrections if the sex offender consents to chemical castration treatment. Makes it a Level 4 felony if a person who consents to chemical castration treatment knowingly or intentionally stops receiving the chemical castration treatment. Requires the department of correction to administer, or contract with a provider to administer, chemical castration treatments.

Elizabeth RowrayRepublican

Automated traffic enforcement safety devices.

Authorizes a county or municipality to adopt and enforce an ordinance that regulates the use of an automated traffic enforcement safety device (device) to detect certain violations. Provides a civil penalty for a violation. Specifies that a civil penalty must first be applied to defray the cost of the installation, operation, and maintenance of the device. Specifies the manner in which the remaining money from the civil penalty must be distributed. Prohibits: (1) reporting a violation on a driving record; (2) using a violation to determine rates for motor vehicle insurance; (3) assessing points under the point system by the bureau of motor vehicles (bureau) for a violation; and (4) reselling data collected by an agent operating a device. Requires notification to the bureau, and the suspension of the registration of a motor vehicle if a violation is not paid. Makes conforming changes.

Blake JohnsonDemocrat

Use of SNAP benefits.

Prohibits recipients of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits from purchasing: (1) energy drinks; (2) sweetened beverages; (3) carbonated beverages; (4) candy; (5) snack chips; and (6) cookies; with SNAP benefits. Requires the office of the secretary of family and social services (office) to provide to an individual, at the time the office approves the individual's application to receive SNAP benefits, specified educational materials regarding the effects of diet on an individual's health. Requires the office to apply for a waiver or authorization to implement the prohibition if a waiver or authorization from a federal agency is required, and allows a delay in implementation until the waiver or authorization is received.

Lindsay PattersonRepublican

Middle school health curriculum.

Provides that each school corporation must include instruction on fetal development as a part of the health education curriculum for students enrolled in grades 6 through 8.

Lindsay PattersonRepublican

Disqualification of unemployment insurance benefits.

Provides that a claimant who fails to: (1) respond to an offer for a job within two business days; or (2) appear for a previously scheduled job interview without notifying the prospective employer of the need to cancel or reschedule the interview; is deemed to be noncompliant with the work search requirements of the unemployment insurance program. Requires the department of workforce development (DWD) to deny the claimant benefits for the week in which the noncompliance occurs. Requires DWD to establish multiple ways for employers to report claimants who fail to respond to a job offer or to appear at a job interview. Provides that DWD must verify any information received from an employer alleging an incident of work search noncompliance before denying the claimant benefits.

Kyle PierceRepublican

Tax credit for contributions to qualified nonprofits.

Provides a state tax credit (credit) for contributions made to a qualified nonprofit organization for taxable years beginning after December 31, 2025. Provides that the amount allowable as a credit in a taxable year is equal to the lesser of: (1) the total amount of the contributions made by the taxpayer to one or more qualified nonprofit organizations; or (2) 50% of the taxpayer's state tax liability. Provides that the maximum amount of credits that may be awarded in a state fiscal year may not exceed $1,000,000.

Lorissa SweetRepublican

Children in need of services.

Provides that when the department of child services (department) enters into a contract with a provider to provide services under the department's community partners for child safety program, the contract must require the provider to: (1) submit monthly reports to the department regarding the progress of an individual receiving services from the provider; and (2) immediately report to the department under specified circumstances. Requires a court in an action regarding a report of child abuse or neglect or an action regarding a petition alleging that a child is a child in need of services (CHINS action) to appoint a guardian ad litem or court appointed special advocate, or both, if the court finds that there is a documented history of: (1) chronic abuse of alcohol or a controlled substance by; or (2) substantiated allegations of physical or sexual abuse having been committed by; the child's parent, guardian, or custodian. Provides that evidence that a child's parent, guardian, or custodian is actively engaged in chronic use of a controlled substance creates a rebuttable presumption that the child's physical or mental health is seriously endangered for purposes of finding that the child is a child in need of services. Provides that if the court in a CHINS action finds that a child is a child in need of services and that the child's parent, guardian, or custodian is actively engaged in chronic use of a controlled substance: (1) there is a rebuttable presumption that removal of the child from the child's home is in the child's best interests; and (2) the dispositional decree entered by the court must require the parent, guardian, or custodian to: (A) participate in drug abuse treatment services; and (B) submit to routine, randomly scheduled drug testing.

Dale DeVonRepublican

Residential property assessment.

Eliminates elections for the office of county assessor and township assessor after 2026 and phases out the offices of county assessor and township assessor as the terms of those elected to the offices expire. Transfers the duties of the assessor to the county auditor at the expiration of each assessor's term. Requires the department of local government finance (DLGF) to develop an automated valuation model system (AVM system) to be used by the DLGF to annually run all qualifying residential property through the AVM system and provide the values determined to the county auditor. Requires county auditors to use the values to determine the fair market value of qualified residential property. Defines "qualified residential property". Specifies the elements and functionality that must be included in the AVM system. Requires the DLGF to start running all qualifying residential property through an AVM system beginning with the first assessment date that an AVM system is operational for use, but not later than the 2031 assessment date. Eliminates qualified residential property from cyclical reassessments and annual adjustments (or "trending") and ratio studies. Allows taxpayers to elect to receive notices of assessment (Form 11) by electronic mail. Makes corresponding changes.

Edward ClereRepublican

Impairment for mental illness.

Specifies the circumstances under which an employer under the 1977 police officers' and firefighters' pension and disability fund is required to pay for certain mental health care and treatment.

Lori Goss-ReavesRepublican

Prekindergarten program enrollment.

Amends the definition of "eligible child" for purposes of the prekindergarten program (program). Removes provisions regarding the program that require: (1) the office of the secretary of family and social services to determine the number of eligible children who will participate in the program; and (2) a percentage of matching funds from other sources. Establishes the prekindergarten expansion grant fund to provide grants to potential eligible providers and existing eligible providers. Makes a continuous appropriation to the prekindergarten program fund from the state general fund in an amount sufficient to carry out the purposes of the fund. Makes an appropriation to the prekindergarten expansion grant fund from the state general fund. Repeals certain provisions regarding the definitions of "eligible child", "extended enrollment period", "limited eligibility child", "priority enrollment period", "child care employee", and "child of a child care employee". Repeals or removes provision regarding prekindergarten vouchers for limited eligibility children and children of child care employees. Makes conforming changes.

Carey HamiltonDemocrat

Choice scholarships.

Amends the definition of "eligible choice scholarship student".

Zach PayneRepublican

Government and regulatory matters.

Makes changes to requirements for the readoption of administrative rules. Repeals, merges, consolidates, or otherwise modifies various boards, commissions, committees, councils, authorities, and funds. Removes certain appointed members from various boards, commissions, and districts. Modifies the appointing authority for particular funds, boards, and councils. Provides that the professional licensing agency may adopt and enforce procedural rules for the administration of a board if the rule: (1) will affect multiple boards; and (2) is not inconsistent with any rule adopted by the affected board.

Steve BartelsRepublican

High school history curriculum.

Requires the department of education to develop curricula or approve instruction regarding the history of communism.

Martin CarbaughRepublican

Veteran benefits.

Increases the property tax deduction for a veteran who is totally disabled to an amount equal to 100% of the assessed value of the individual's real property (instead of $14,000). Increases certain conditional scholarship amounts awarded under the National Guard tuition supplement program fund from $5,000 to $10,000. Changes certain dates concerning when the father or mother of an applicant, who is eligible for an educational cost exemption, enlisted or otherwise initially served in the armed forces of the United States.

Chris JudyRepublican

Referenda on prekindergarten funding levies.

Allows a county government, in each even-numbered calendar year, to impose a prekindergarten education referendum tax levy for children three and four years of age to be implemented under the guidance of an Indiana United Way entity or the early learning advisory committee, which may distribute the funds to entities that operate preschool facilities such as county governments, charter schools, private schools, churches, and other existing nonprofit preschool centers. Establishes the prekindergarten education referendum tax levy fund.

Blake JohnsonDemocrat

Building and public works matters.

Requires a proposed rule with implementation and compliance costs of at least $1,000,000 for businesses, units, and individuals over any two year period to be authorized by legislation passed by the general assembly. Requires the state to give political subdivisions that enact certain land use policies first priority in receiving housing and housing infrastructure grants and loans. Provides that a public agency awarding a contract for a construction manager as constructor project may not take certain actions based on a bidder's, offeror's, or contractor's entering into, refusing to enter into, adhering to, or refusing to adhere to an agreement with a labor organization. Prohibits a political subdivision or agency of a political subdivision from imposing a requirement inconsistent with, in addition to, or more stringent or restrictive than the requirements of the public works statute.

Doug MillerRepublican

Medical record fees.

Requires a provider to provide a patient's medical record in the form and format requested by the patient or the patient's legal representative, if readily producible. Provides that a third party may not charge more than $2.50 for producing a patient's medical record. Prohibits a provider from charging more than $6.50 for producing a patient's medical record in electronic form. Specifies that certain provisions in current law governing medical record fees apply to a medical record in paper form. Amends the factors the department of insurance may consider in adopting rules governing medical record fees. Limits supply costs for paper copies to $.05 per page. Prohibits the department from adopting a rule permitting a retrieval fee. Requires a provider to provide one free copy of a patient's medical record to the patient or the patient's legal representative if requesting the medical record to apply for or appeal a denial of Social Security insurance disability benefits or Supplemental Security Insurance. Provides that a certification fee may not exceed $5. Prohibits a provider from charging a fee for a billing statement.

Chris CampbellDemocrat

STEM enrollment.

Requires the board of trustees of each state educational institution (institution) to adopt a policy that prohibits certain foreign students from enrolling in or receiving instruction in a qualifying STEM program offered by the institution. Requires that the policy be established and enforced not later than August 15, 2025. Provides that the policy must apply to certain foreign students who enroll in an institution after August 15, 2025.

Ben SmaltzRepublican

Disposition of human remains by composting.

Amends the definition of cremation to include natural organic reduction as a means for the dissolution of human remains. Requires the state board of funeral and cemetery service to adopt rules governing the operation of natural organic reduction facilities. Adds natural organic reduction to statutes that allow for burial or cremation.

Kyle MillerDemocrat

Richmond food and beverage tax.

Authorizes the city of Richmond to impose a food and beverage tax.

Brad BarrettRepublican

Public safety officer benefit advisory board.

Establishes the public safety officer benefit advisory board (board). Requires the state police department to provide staff support for the board. Requires the board to provide a report to the legislative council and interim study committee on pension management oversight before October 1 of each year.

Martin CarbaughRepublican

Long term care savings accounts.

Establishes the primary care access revolving fund (fund) for the purpose of making loans to primary care medical practices in Indiana. Specifies the purposes for which money in the fund may be loaned. Provides that the Indiana finance authority shall administer the fund. Requires the Indiana economic development corporation (IEDC) to transfer $15,000,000 to the fund from the amount appropriated to the IEDC by the general assembly in the 2025-2026 state fiscal year. Increases the employee threshold for purposes of eligibility for the health reimbursement arrangement income tax credit. Increases the maximum amount of tax credits that may be granted in a year. Specifies the procedure for claiming the credit. Allows an employer to establish a long term care savings account program that allows an employee to save with favorable tax treatment for services required when the employee's or the employee's dependents' functional capacities become chronically impaired due to advanced age or other circumstances. Expands the physician practice ownership tax credit (tax credit) against state tax liability to practicing physicians (instead of only primary care physicians) who have an ownership interest in a physician practice and meet other eligibility criteria. Requires a taxpayer claiming the tax credit to certify that each physician with an ownership interest provides health care services to patients. Provides that the total amount of tax credits awarded in a state fiscal year may not exceed $20,000,000.

Brad BarrettRepublican

Small loan finance charges.

Changes the current incremental finance charge limits that apply to a small loan to a maximum annual rate. Prohibits certain acts with respect to financing of a small loan and makes a violation a deceptive act and subject to penalties.

Carey HamiltonDemocrat

Community solar facilities.

Requires the Indiana utility regulatory commission (commission) to adopt rules governing community solar facilities not later than July 1, 2026. Provides that, not later than 180 days after adoption of the rules, an electricity provider shall begin: (1) allowing interconnection of the electricity provider's facilities with community solar facilities in which at least three of the electricity provider's customers have entered into a subscription; and (2) crediting the electricity provider's subscribing customers for the amount of electricity from the community solar facility for which the customer subscribes. Requires the commission to: (1) establish an interconnection working group composed of representatives of electricity suppliers and other stakeholders with respect to electric utility service; and (2) implement the working group's recommendations regarding creation, revision, or elimination of policies, processes, tariffs, rules, or standards relating to the interconnection of community solar facilities and electricity suppliers as necessary for transparent, accurate, and efficient implementation of community solar facilities.

Carey HamiltonDemocrat

Social Security number search requests.

Defines "Social Security number search request" (search request) as a request made by a consumer to a consumer reporting agency to conduct a search of all files maintained by the consumer reporting agency to determine if the consumer's Social Security number is associated with one or more consumer credit files not associated with the consumer. Provides that after December 31, 2025, upon receiving a search request from a consumer, a consumer reporting agency shall fulfill the consumer's search request if the consumer reporting agency: (1) maintains a file on the consumer; and (2) receives: (A) proper identification from the consumer; and (B) the consumer's written and signed consent for the consumer reporting agency to verify with the Social Security Administration that the consumer's Social Security number belongs to the consumer. Provides that in fulfilling a search request, a consumer reporting agency shall: (1) verify with the Social Security Administration that the Social Security number supplied by the consumer belongs to the consumer; (2) conduct a search of all files maintained by the consumer reporting agency to determine if the consumer's Social Security number is associated with one or more files not associated with the consumer; and (3) if the search indicates that the consumer's Social Security number is associated with any files not associated with the consumer, provide information as to: (A) the number of such files; and (B) each person that procured a consumer report in connection with those files during the one year period immediately preceding the date of the consumer's search request. Prohibits a consumer reporting agency from: (1) charging a consumer an additional fee in connection with a search request; (2) increasing any fee lawfully imposed in connection with the consumer's request for information in the consumer's file because that request includes a search request; or (3) charging a consumer a fee in connection with the consumer's request for information in the consumer's file because that request includes a search request, if the consumer is entitled under the federal Fair Credit Reporting Act to receive the information in the consumer's file without charge.

Ryan LauerRepublican

Domestic violence reports.

Removes language concerning an affidavit from provisions concerning probable cause for battery and domestic battery. Requires a law enforcement officer to provide a victim who requests a protection order with the required forms and appropriate assistance in completing and filing the forms.

Ragen HatcherDemocrat

Social service provider tax credit.

Allows a qualified taxpayer to claim a credit against the taxpayer's state tax liability for designated contributions to qualified nonprofit organizations that provide: (1) comprehensive case management services for at-risk families; (2) family support services; (3) in-school programs, community based events, or online resources to assist fathers in learning and improving parenting skills; or (4) programs that provide mutual support systems among mothers in raising children or information for mothers to enhance child development.

Hunter SmithRepublican

Bail.

Prohibits a court from requiring an arrestee to pay bail as a condition of pretrial release, unless: (1) the court finds by clear and convincing evidence that the arrestee is a flight risk or danger to the community; (2) the arrestee is charged with murder or treason; (3) the arrestee is on pretrial release not related to the incident that is the basis for the present arrest; or (4) the arrestee is on probation, parole, or other community supervision. Requires that the amount of bail be the lowest amount required, based on the defendant's financial circumstances, to assure the arrestee's appearance at trial and to protect the community.

Ragen HatcherDemocrat

Social work licensure compact.

Establishes the social work licensure compact.

Michael CriderRepublican

Athletic event payment method.

Requires school corporations and charter schools to offer a cash payment option at athletic events beginning July 1, 2025.

Philip GiaQuintaDemocrat

Digital asset mining.

Prohibits a county, municipality, or township (unit) from adopting or enforcing an ordinance that would have the effect of prohibiting, restricting, or impairing an individual's or a business's ability to: (1) use digital assets to purchase legal goods and services; (2) accept digital assets as a method of payment for legal goods and services; (3) use a hardware wallet or self-hosted wallet to store the individual's or business's digital assets; (4) take custody of digital assets by using a hardware wallet or self-hosted wallet; or (5) operate a node for the purpose of connecting to a blockchain protocol and participating in the blockchain protocol's operations. Provides that use of a property for a digital asset mining business is a permitted industrial use under any applicable zoning ordinance of a unit and may not be disallowed by a zoning ordinance in a zoning district that permits industrial use. Prohibits a unit from applying the unit's zoning ordinances in specified ways to regulate digital asset mining.

Kyle PierceRepublican

Ban on vapor product sales to persons under 21.

Prohibits a person less than 21 years of age (underage person) from: (1) purchasing or receiving a nicotine-free electronic cigarette; or (2) purchasing or receiving an e-liquid vaporizer (vapor product). Restricts: (1) the sales and distribution of vapor products to underage persons; (2) the location of vending machines containing e-liquids, nicotine-free electronic cigarettes, or vaporizers where underage persons are present; and (3) use of self-service displays to sell e-liquids, nicotine-free electronic cigarettes, or vaporizers. Includes vaporizer and nicotine free electronic cigarette sales in the gross retail sales amount that determines whether an underage person can enter the retail establishment.

Mitch GoreDemocrat

Student self-regulation program.

Requires the department of education to establish, or partner with a third party to establish, the Indiana student self-regulation program.

Tonya PfaffDemocrat

Outdoor recreation.

Establishes the outdoor recreation development program within the Indiana destination development corporation to coordinate tourism development activities with outdoor recreation business opportunities.

Tonya PfaffDemocrat

Natural resource entrance fees.

Allows counties to adopt an ordinance to impose a surcharge of not more than $2 in addition to the fees charged by the department of natural resources (department) for entry into state parks and recreation areas. Requires the department to collect the surcharge and to report and pay the surcharge to each county treasurer. Provides that the revenue collected is to be used for purposes related to first responders.

Lindsay PattersonRepublican

Assistance for obtaining veterans' benefits.

Provides that a person may not receive compensation for assisting a person to obtain veterans' benefits unless authorized by federal law. Establishes disclosure statement requirements for a person to provide assistance for compensation under federal law. Provides that a violation constitutes a prohibited consumer sale.

Ethan LawsonRepublican

Information concerning cytomegalovirus infection.

Requires the Indiana department of health to: (1) establish and administer a public education program to provide information on cytomegalovirus to pregnant women; and (2) distribute the information to specified persons. Requires a clinic or medical facility that offers fertility care to make the information concerning cytomegalovirus available to patients of the clinic or facility.

Chris CampbellDemocrat

Due-on-sale clauses.

Prohibits a lender from exercising a due-on-sale clause upon the transfer of property under certain conditions.

Cherrish PryorDemocrat

Adult oriented performances.

Defines "adult oriented performance". Provides that a governmental entity may not organize or host an adult oriented performance or fund an adult oriented performance using public funds. Requires an adult oriented performance operator to check identification at the entrance to an adult oriented performance to prevent a minor from attending. Allows the attorney general to issue civil investigative demands or bring an action if certain measures are not taken to prevent a minor from attending the adult oriented performance. Establishes a criminal penalty if an individual knowingly and intentionally does the following: (1) Engages or participates in an adult orientated performance on public property or with public funds. (2) Fails to prevent a minor from attending an adult oriented performance.

Bruce BordersRepublican

Training in human trafficking awareness.

Requires a food or lodging establishment to do the following: (1) Require each employee of the food or lodging establishment to annually complete a training course offered by the United States Department of Homeland Security in recognizing and responding to human trafficking (training requirement). (2) Maintain for each employee a written record of the title and date of completion of each training course completed by the employee (training records). (3) Include in the food or lodging establishment's biennial report to the secretary of state an attestation that the food or lodging establishment has complied with the training requirement in each of the two years covered by the report. (4) Post in a location in the food or lodging establishment that is readily accessible by all employees of the food or lodging establishment a conspicuous written notice: (A) asking employees to report suspected human trafficking; and (B) providing contact information for state and federal agencies to which suspected human trafficking can be reported. Provides that the office of the secretary of state may audit the training records of a food or lodging establishment to verify the food or lodging establishment's attestation regarding the training requirement in the food or lodging establishment's biennial report.

Craig HaggardRepublican

Healthy forests and hardwoods expansion.

Requires the department of natural resources to create the landowner forest management program. Requires the Indiana state department of agriculture to: (1) conduct an inventory of all forest land lost in Indiana from 2010 to 2024; and (2) conduct an economic impact study based on the findings of the lost forest land report. Makes an appropriation.

Beau BairdRepublican

Ethics implementation fund.

Establishes the ethics implementation fund (fund) for the purpose of providing grants to course providers that offer ethics training courses for teachers. Charges the department of education (department) with administering the fund. Requires the department to create authorization and approval processes. Requires the department to create guidelines to provide professional development credit to teachers who have successfully completed an ethics training course. Makes an appropriation.

Beau BairdRepublican

Cannabis regulation.

Permits the use of cannabis by: (1) a person at least 21 years of age; and (2) a person with a serious medical condition as determined by the person's physician. Establishes the adult use cannabis excise tax, and requires a retailer to transfer the tax to the department of state revenue for deposit in the state general fund. Exempts veterans from payment of the sales tax on medical or adult use cannabis. Establishes a cannabis program (program) to permit the cultivation, processing, testing, transportation, and sale of cannabis by holders of a valid permit. Establishes the Indiana cannabis commission (ICC) as a state agency to oversee, implement, and enforce the program, and establishes the ICC advisory committee to review the effectiveness of the program. Requires that permit holders take steps to prevent diversion of cannabis to unauthorized persons. Requires that cannabis and cannabis products be properly labeled, placed in child resistant packaging, and tested by an independent testing laboratory before being made available for purchase. Prohibits packaging cannabis in a manner that is appealing to children. Authorizes research on cannabis in accordance with rules set forth by the ICC. Establishes a procedure for the expungement of a cannabis related conviction if the act constituting the conviction becomes legal. Makes conforming amendments.

Rodney PolDemocrat

Old home repair tax credit.

Allows a credit against a qualified taxpayer's state tax liability in an amount equal to: (1) 20% of the qualified expenditures that a taxpayer makes for the preservation or rehabilitation of the taxpayer's residence; or (2) 55% of the qualified expenditures that a taxpayer makes for the replacement of electrical wiring and fixtures that were added to the property prior to 1940. Provides that the property must be: (1) located in Indiana; (2) at least 85 years old; and (3) owned by the taxpayer. Provides that the preservation or rehabilitation work must be completed in not more than two years. Provides that the property must be principally used and occupied by the taxpayer as the taxpayer's residence. Provides that qualified expenditures for preservation or rehabilitation of the property must exceed $5,500. Provides that the credit may be carried forward 15 years, but may not be carried back. Provides that the amount of credits allowed may not exceed $100,000 in a state fiscal year. Provides that a taxpayer that claims the credit may not also claim the residential historic rehabilitation credit for the taxable year.

Kyle PierceRepublican

Climate change studies.

Establishes a task force to study the impact of climate change in Indiana and annually report findings to the general assembly and the governor from December 1, 2025, to December 1, 2028.

Carey HamiltonDemocrat