Bills & Legislation

Water utilities.

Includes water utilities within the scope of the statute that subjects wastewater utilities that: (1) are not under the jurisdiction of the Indiana utility regulatory commission (IURC) for the approval of rates and charges; and (2) have been issued one or more enforcement orders by the department of environmental management; to a series of oversight actions by the IURC for each additional enforcement order, including rate review, rate regulation, and the initiation of a receivership proceeding. Makes a conforming amendment to the statute that governs the process by which water utilities and wastewater utilities may withdraw from the jurisdiction of the IURC. Amends the statute governing the acquisition of water utilities and wastewater utilities to require the IURC to consider and authorize mechanisms to allow utility companies to integrate into their systems, invest in, and earn on acquired utility assets, subject to a finding by the IURC that the proposed mechanism is just and reasonable and in the public interest. Amends the statute governing the recovery of costs for eligible infrastructure improvements made by water or wastewater utilities to provide that, in the case of a public utility (as defined in the Indiana Code), "infrastructure improvement costs" eligible for recovery include: (1) deferred depreciation expense; and (2) post in service carrying costs; for the eligible infrastructure improvements. Adds language to the Indiana Code chapter governing public water supplies to provide that a complaint: (1) seeking damages from a water utility; and (2) arising out of an alleged exposure to drinking water supplied by the water utility; is barred if the water supplied by the water utility met applicable regulatory standards under specified federal and state law. Amends the Indiana Code section prohibiting the department of natural resources (department) from regulating certain activities within the 100 year flood level of a water supply reservoir owned and operated by a municipality or a public utility for the purpose of providing water utility service to the public to also prohibit the department from ordering the closure or removal, or the partial closure or removal, of: (1) a dam that forms such a water supply reservoir; or (2) a dam that forms or contains a body of water that is used to supply one or more private water wells; if the closure or removal, or the partial closure or removal, of the dam would impact the provision of water utility service to the public or the supply of water to one or more private water wells.

Eric KochRepublican

Carbon dioxide sequestration.

Requires an applicant for a carbon dioxide transmission pipeline certificate to comply with certain guidelines adopted by the Indiana utility regulatory commission. Exempts a carbon dioxide transmission pipeline company (company) from obtaining a certificate of authority if the company's carbon dioxide transmission pipeline project meets certain criteria. Requires an applicant or the contractor or subcontractor of the applicant to submit evidence that the contractor or subcontractor of the applicant have the requisite experience constructing, operating, and maintaining a transmission pipeline for the department to grant the applicant a carbon dioxide transmission pipeline certificate of authority. Moves fee revenue collected for a carbon dioxide transmission pipeline certificate of authority from the oil and gas environmental fund to the state general fund. Provides that the filing fee for a permit for a carbon sequestration project is deposited in the state general fund. Provides that an involuntary integration order issued by the department of natural resources (department) is effective 15 days after the petitioner is issued a UIC Class VI permit. Amends the definition of "UIC Class VI permit". Adjusts the filing fee for a carbon sequestration project permit. Requires a storage operator to pay the department a fee of $0.08 per metric ton of carbon dioxide injected into a storage facility for the previous calendar year. Provides that a storage operator shall pay to the department a fee for the carbon dioxide injected into the storage facility. Expires the carbon dioxide storage facility trust fund and provides for the transfer of money in that fund to the state general fund. Directs the department to establish and issue a permit that allows a person to: (1) drill or operate a carbon dioxide investigatory well; or (2) convert an oil and gas well for use in carbon dioxide investigations. Describes circumstances in which the department may enter property to inspect and maintain a well or storage facility. Establishes civil penalties for violations of the statutes regulating carbon sequestration. Provides that civil penalties are deposited in the state general fund.

Susan GlickRepublican

Child care matters.

Extends the availability of the employer child care expenditure tax credit through July 1, 2027. Provides that under specified circumstances, an individual who: (1) is at least 15 years of age; and (2) is a student at a school corporation that operates a child care program; may volunteer as a caregiver for the child care program before completing the statutory requirements for individuals to act as a volunteer caregiver at a child care program. Adds two representatives of out-of-school-time programs to the membership of the early learning advisory committee. Provides for purposes of regulation of licensed child care centers that the office of the secretary of family and social services (office) shall: (1) ensure that: (A) Indiana's staff to child ratio for a specified age range is not more stringent than the average of the staff to child ratios permitted for that age range under the laws of Illinois, Kentucky, Michigan, and Ohio; and (B) Indiana's maximum group size for a specified age range is not more stringent than the average of the maximum group sizes permitted for that age range under the laws of Illinois, Kentucky, Michigan, and Ohio; and (2) annually publish on the office's website the: (A) staff to child ratio; and (B) maximum group size; that a licensed child care center is required to maintain for the specified age ranges. Provides exceptions to the bill's group size provisions for: (1) an indoor or outdoor area of a child care center that provides at least 75 square feet of space per child; and (2) a child care center's cafeteria. Provides that if the office has received at least five applications from child care providers wishing to participate in the micro center pilot program (pilot program) but has selected less than five applicants for participation in the pilot program, the office shall select additional applicants for participation in the pilot program such that at least five child care providers are participating in the pilot program.

Ed CharbonneauRepublican

Midwest continental divide commission.

Allows an eligible county and city to establish by ordinance, a Midwest continental divide commission and district for the purpose of acquiring, developing, funding, constructing, equipping, and owning economic improvement projects in or serving the district. Amends an appropriation made in P.L.201-2023 to the northern Indiana regional economic development authority to allow funds to be used to support and fund the commission and the commission's projects.

David NiezgodskiDemocrat

Recreational vehicle dealers.

Sets forth requirements for recreational vehicle dealer agreements for the sale of recreational vehicles in Indiana. Makes conforming changes.

Blake DoriotRepublican

Child services.

Allows the Indiana board of pharmacy to release confidential information received by the INSPECT program to a supervisor of the department of child services (department) who is engaged in an investigation or adjudication of child abuse or neglect. Amends the definition of "emergency shelter" for purposes of statutes governing residential child care facilities. Provides that an applicant for licensure as a child caring institution or licensure as a group home must obtain a criminal history check of any contractor or individual working in the child caring institution or group home who is likely to have unsupervised contact with children. Amends provisions under which the department may waive the maximum duration for which a child may stay at a shelter care facility to remove a reference to the length of the maximum duration. Amends the educational and experiential qualifications for casework supervisors at child placing agencies. Provides that provisions requiring: (1) a residential child care facility to ensure that a child admitted to the facility has received all immunizations and booster shots required under specified statutes; and (2) a residential child care facility that administers psychotropic medication to obtain periodic written reports from the licensed professional who prescribed the psychotropic medication; do not apply to an emergency shelter.

Greg WalkerRepublican

State fiscal and contracting matters.

Allows a state agency to use artificial intelligence software to prepare information and projections for the state budget. Requires a state agency to provide a quarterly report to the budget committee that details the requests submitted by the state agency for new federal funds or to participate in a new federal program. Provides that, in addition to the quarterly reports, a state agency may not immediately accept an award of new federal funds in certain circumstances or participate in a new federal program before a report has been reviewed by the budget committee. Specifies the contents of the report that must be submitted for budget committee review. Requires a state agency to provide the state comptroller with a contract for inclusion in the Indiana transparency website not later than 30 days after the contract is fully executed. Requires that permanent full-time positions which have been vacant for 90 days or more be reviewed and either reauthorized or eliminated by the budget director. Requires the budget director to provide a quarterly report to the governor's office regarding those positions that were reauthorized or eliminated by the budget director in the preceding three months. Requires a state agency to provide quarterly reports to the budget committee regarding the state agency's active contracts. Provides for the reversion of funds appropriated to a state agency for expenses related to a contract that are unused after the end of the contract term. Requires the department of administration (department) to develop certain contract language to be included in state contracts of $500,000 or more. Requires a state agency to provide a report to the budget committee concerning amendments to a contract that: (1) increase the maximum contract amount by not less than $500,000; or (2) for a contract with an initial maximum contract amount of not less than $500,000, extend the term of the contract by not less than six months. Prohibits a state agency from entering into a nonpublic contract. Requires all contract opportunities of state agencies to be posted in the form of a request for proposals or a request for quotations on the department's website at least 30 days prior to the contract being awarded. Requires the office of the secretary of family and social services and the office of Medicaid policy and planning to do the following: (1) Review monthly reports on the Medicaid program service utilization to identify trends and risks within the state Medicaid program. (2) Post publicly on the office of the secretary of family and social services's website monthly financial reports or expenditures and revenues for each state Medicaid program and commentary providing context for each monthly financial report. (3) Submit a quarterly report to the budget committee.

Scott BaldwinRepublican

State comptroller.

Changes certain references from "auditor of state" to: (1) "state comptroller (referred to as "auditor of state" in the Constitution of the State of Indiana)"; or (2) "state comptroller (auditor of state)". Requires "state comptroller (auditor of state)" to be listed on the 2026 general election ballot.

Cyndi CarrascoRepublican

Law enforcement training cost reimbursement.

Allows the state, a state agency, or a political subdivision (public employer) to be reimbursed for the costs of employing and training a law enforcement officer by a public employer that subsequently employs the officer. Provides that the reimbursement amount decreases over time and is eliminated three years after the officer is certified by the law enforcement training board to act as an officer. Allows a public employer to require, as a condition of hiring, that the individual enter into a contract or agreement to reimburse the public employer for employment and training costs, if the individual is subsequently hired by a private or governmental employer that is not defined by statute as a public employer.

Gary ByrneRepublican

Code publication.

Makes Indiana Code publication amendments. Repeals and relocates specific Indiana Code definitions chapters for organization of the defined terms by alphabetical order and to provide for future expansion of the chapters. Makes conforming cross-reference updates. Makes technical amendments to remove tabulation designations from the certain criminal law and procedure sections for consistency with similar statutes and to streamline amendment of those sections. Resolves technical conflicts between various enrolled acts passed during the 2025 legislative session.

Aaron FreemanRepublican

Grain indemnity.

Defines "revocation of a license". Creates a process in which the director of the Indiana grain buyers and warehouse licensing agency (agency) determines whether a building or other protected enclosure constitutes a single warehouse that requires one or more licenses. Specifies the documents a person who desires to conduct business as a grain buyer, warehouse operator, or buyer-warehouse (licensee) must submit to the agency to renew a license to operate. Specifies how a business as a licensee may renew its license. Specifies the types of licenses the agency shall issue and how a license may be relinquished. Establishes what information must be included in a financial statement submitted by a licensee to the agency. Removes the ability of the agency to temporarily suspend a licensee's license. Specifies various matters related to on-premises inspections. Permits the director of the agency (director) to call an informal meeting with a licensee. Provides when the director may revoke, and when the director shall revoke, a licensee's license and what information the director must share with the licensee. Establishes various notice requirements. Permits the agency to adopt rules. Requires the director to inspect and test all equipment used to test the moisture content of grain purchased from producers once per year. Requires the Indiana grain indemnity corporation board to elect a chairperson and vice chairperson and take on various new responsibilities. Addresses various issues with producer premiums. Provides that a grain buyer shall keep accurate and correct records of grain purchased from producers documenting the producer premiums paid by producers. Establishes storage fees to determine storage loss. Requires the office of the attorney general to provide legal assistance if requested by the director. Requires the director to take possession of the bond or other security and all proceeds from a grain sale in the event a licensee has failed to meet its obligations under the grain indemnity chapter. Provides that the director shall provide informal conferences between agency representatives and persons who have or who appear to have grain deposited with the licensee in revocation. Makes technical and conforming changes.

Jean LeisingRepublican

Various health care matters.

Specifies the process for a managed care organization to follow concerning home modification services. Requires a patient of an opioid treatment program (program) who has tested positive on a drug test to be given a random drug test monthly until the patient passes the test. (Current law requires the patient to be tested weekly.) Allows a program to close on Sundays and federal holidays. Prohibits the division of mental health and addiction from: (1) requiring a program's medical director to have admitting privileges at a hospital; and (2) establishing rules or guidelines concerning program admission and medication that are more stringent than federal regulations. Allows specified health care providers to perform the initial assessment, examination, and evaluation of a patient being admitted to a program. Allows the medical staff of an ambulatory outpatient surgical center to make recommendations on the granting of clinical privileges or the appointment or reappointment of an applicant to the governing board of the ambulatory outpatient surgical center for a period not to exceed 36 months. (Current law allows medical staff of hospitals to make recommendations.) Establishes the certified health care professions commission (commission). Sets forth the requirements for the: (1) certification of nurse aides and qualified medication aides; and (2) registration of home health aides. Specifies the duties of the Indiana department of health and the commission in regulating these professions. Relocates provisions concerning training for home health aides and requires the commission to approve the training. Sets forth requirements on facilities in employing nurse aides. Specifies the definition of "nurse aide" for purposes of an administrative rule. Makes changes to the release of medical information statute. Modifies the duties of the center for deaf and hard of hearing education. Adds provisions regarding "family navigators" and specifies the role of family navigators in the provisions of the bill regarding the center for deaf and hard of hearing education. Allows a prescriber to prescribe certain agonist opioids through telehealth services for the treatment or management of opioid dependence. (Current law allows only a partial agonist to be prescribed through telehealth.) Allows certain residential care administrators an exemption from taking continuing education during the initial licensing period. Allows for the provision of certain anesthesia in a physician's office or a podiatrist's office without the office being accredited. (Current law allows for this in dental offices.) Requires adverse events concerning anesthesia in an office based setting to be reported to the medical licensing board of Indiana (board). Requires the board to: (1) determine the types of adverse events to be reported; (2) establish a procedure for reporting; and (3) post the adverse events on the board's website. Creates a process for certain individuals who do not have a Social Security number and who are seeking licensure by examination as a registered nurse or practical nurse to obtain a provisional license. Requires a nursing program to offer a clinical experience for clinical hours in a hospital and a health facility setting.

Liz BrownRepublican

Family and social services matters.

Requires a sheriff to assist an individual who: (1) has been incarcerated for at least 30 days in a: (A) county jail; (B) community based correctional facility for children; (C) juvenile detention facility; or (D) secure facility other than a child caring institution; and (2) is eligible for Medicaid; in applying for Medicaid before the individual's release from the facility. Provides that if a child loses Medicaid coverage while confined in a juvenile detention facility or secure facility, the division of family resources shall, upon receiving notice that the child will be released, take action necessary ensure that the child is eligible to receive specified federally mandated services for 30 days before and after the child's release. Requires an insurer to respond within 60 days to an inquiry from the office of Medicaid policy and planning regarding a Medicaid claim that is made within three years from the date on which the service that is the subject of the claim was provided. Provides that an insurer other than Medicare, Medicare Advantage, or Medicare Part D may not deny a Medicaid claim solely due to lack of prior authorization in accordance with federal Medicaid law. Provides that the requirement that an individual who receives payment for medical expenses from Medicaid must cede to the state the individual's rights to third party payment for the medical expenses extends to settlement amounts for both past medical expenses and rights to payment of future medical expenses. Amends the duties, membership, and terms of office of the Medicaid advisory commission. Creates the Medicaid beneficiary advisory commission. Repeals a provision requiring that employees of a child care provider be tested for tuberculosis in order for the child care provider to be eligible to receive voucher payments under the federal Child Care and Development Fund program. Provides the following with regard to a licensed child care center, licensed child care home, or registered child care ministry (child care provider): (1) Requires all employees of a child care provider to be trained in pediatric first aid and pediatric cardiopulmonary resuscitation applicable to all age groups of children cared for by the child care provider. (2) Requires at least one adult who is certified in pediatric cardiopulmonary resuscitation applicable to all age groups of children cared for by the child care provider to be present at all times when a child is in the care of the child care provider. Amends the membership of the division of mental health and addiction planning and advisory council.

Ed CharbonneauRepublican

Various tax matters.

Amends estimated quarterly tax payment provisions. Restructures tax collection requirements for kerosene to eliminate specialized tax filing. Streamlines the filing requirements for gasoline use tax to eliminate multiple filing requirements. Specifies the liability and remittance requirements for the gross retail tax, gasoline use tax, and other listed taxes in certain circumstances. Amends provisions that apply to passenger and household goods carriers. Amends the college savings tax credit. Replaces the term "college choice 529 education savings plan" with "Indiana529 plan". Makes a clarifying change to the closed system cartridge tax. Extends the renewal period from one year to two years for businesses licensed to collect the electronic cigarettes tax, closed systems cartridge tax, and other tobacco products tax. Specifies that the fiscal officer of an entity that has adopted an innkeeper's tax, a food and beverage tax, or an admissions tax must enter into an agreement with the department of state revenue (department) before the department provides certain information to the fiscal officer as required under current law. Specifies when certain tax information may be disclosed by the department. Provides for the transfer of certain funds from the bureau of motor vehicles commission fund to the motor carrier regulation fund. Provides that a person who commits a violation involving a consumer transaction entailing the transportation of passengers or household goods commits a deceptive act that is actionable by the attorney general and is subject to certain remedies and penalties. Specifies remittance procedures for the gasoline use tax. Specifies recapture procedures for certain reduced estimated tax payments. Makes corresponding changes.

Travis HoldmanRepublican

Prior authorization.

Sets forth requirements for a utilization review entity that requires prior authorization of a health care service. Prohibits a utilization review entity from requiring prior authorization for the first 12 physical therapy or chiropractic visits of each new episode of care. Provides that a claim for reimbursement for a covered service or item provided to an insured or enrollee may not be denied on the sole basis that the referring provider is an out of network provider. Repeals superseded provisions regarding prior authorization. Makes corresponding changes.

Tyler JohnsonRepublican

Economic development.

Establishes the office of entrepreneurship and innovation (office). Specifies the duties of the office. Transfers oversight responsibilities of certified technology parks from the Indiana economic development corporation (IEDC) to the office. Provides for the submission of an annual report of the activities of an innovation development district as to financial information pertaining to tax increment financing districts in an innovation development district to the: (1) fiscal body of the county, city, or town; and (2) department of local government finance. Provides that before the IEDC may purchase land in a county that in total exceeds 100 acres whether acquired in one transaction or a series of transactions, the IEDC must first give notice, in writing, to the board of county commissioners of the county in which the land is located (and to the mayor of a city if the land is located within a city) not later than 30 days before the closing date for the purchase or purchases. Requires the IEDC to provide to the budget committee a copy of the notice being provided to the local unit in which certain land is being purchased. Provides that if the IEDC extends an offer to one or more voting or nonvoting members of the budget committee to tour a potential economic development site that may receive state assistance in undertaking the project, the IEDC shall simultaneously extend the same offer to all voting and nonvoting members of the budget committee. Requires the governor to appoint the president of the IEDC, who shall serve at the pleasure of the governor and report to the secretary of commerce. (Under current law, the secretary of commerce is the president of the IEDC.) Repeals the statute that expires the central Indiana regional development authority.

Brian BuchananRepublican

Financial institutions and consumer credit.

Provides that a reference to federal law in: (1) the First Lien Mortgage Lending Act; (2) the Uniform Consumer Credit Code (UCCC); or (3) the Indiana Code title governing financial institutions; is a reference to the law as in effect December 31, 2024 (rather than December 31, 2023, under current law). Amends the definition of "principal" for purposes of the UCCC provisions governing consumer loans to specify that the term does not include any loan proceeds held as security for the loan. Makes a technical change to the Indiana Code provision governing the prepayment of consumer loans to incorporate a cross reference to the Indiana Code provision setting forth the authorized nonrefundable prepaid finance charge for supervised loans. (Current law references only the authorized nonrefundable prepaid finance charge for consumer loans other than supervised loans.) Amends the definition of "consumer transaction" for purposes of the deceptive consumer sales act (act) to include the provision of a product or service to a: (1) state law enforcement agency; or (2) local law enforcement agency; in Indiana. Amends the definition of "supplier" for purposes of the act to include an entity that provides a product or service to a state or local law enforcement agency in Indiana. Provides that an action that arises from a transaction involving: (1) a state law enforcement agency may be brought and enforced only by the attorney general; and (2) a local law enforcement agency may be brought and enforced only by an attorney acting on behalf of the local law enforcement agency involved in the transaction, unless the local unit of government served by the local law enforcement agency requests the attorney general to bring and enforce an action on behalf of the local unit. Amends the Indiana Code provision governing audit requirements for credit unions to provide that department of financial institutions may establish by policy or rule accounting and auditing standards necessary to define the audit requirements.

Eric BasslerRepublican

Perpetual care fund deposits for columbariums.

Exempts certain veteran focused nonprofit cemeteries from certain deposit and trustee requirements with respect to a perpetual care fund.

Justin BuschRepublican

Income tax rate.

Provides for a decrease in the individual adjusted gross income tax rate beginning in 2030 depending on certain conditions being met.

Travis HoldmanRepublican

Article V convention.

Changes the defined term of "delegate" to "commissioner" in reference to an individual who is appointed to represent Indiana at an Article V convention. Specifies that an individual must satisfy the following requirements to be appointed as a commissioner or alternate commissioner: (1) have resided in Indiana for the past five years; (2) may not currently be registered as a lobbyist under certain regulations or have been registered within the past five years; and (3) may not have been convicted of a crime of moral turpitude or served any part of a felony sentence within the past 10 years. Provides that it is assumed the general assembly shall appoint three commissioners to represent Indiana at an Article V convention. Requires the commissioners to select a chair for the Article V convention. Prohibits a commissioner or alternate commissioner from accepting a gratuity while serving as a commissioner or alternate commissioner. Requires the general assembly to adopt a joint resolution prohibiting commissioners and alternative commissioners from voting to amend certain provisions of the Constitution of the United States.

Travis HoldmanRepublican

Extension of lifeline law immunity.

Provides that an individual who is: (1) reasonably believed to be suffering from a health condition which is the direct result of alcohol consumption; and (2) assisted by a person who requested emergency medical assistance for the individual; is immune from prosecution for certain crimes.

Ron AltingRepublican

Workforce matters.

Amends the definitions of "discharge for just cause", "employment", and "gross misconduct" for purposes of unemployment insurance. Provides that an unemployment claimant: (1) is required to verify the claimant's identity before a claim can be filed, and as a condition for continued eligibility; and (2) has the right to request a wage investigation and to appeal the results of the investigation to a liability administrative law judge. Allows an unemployment claimant or employing unit to appeal regarding the claimant's status as an insured worker. Requires that all hearings before an administrative law judge or the unemployment insurance review board concerning disputed unemployment claims be set as telephone hearings, unless an objection is made. Allows a disputed unemployment claim to be directly filed with a liability administrative law judge. Provides that administrative records of the department of workforce development (department) are self-authenticating and admissible in an administrative hearing. Provides that the department may release certain confidential records to the extent permitted by federal law. Makes certain changes regarding the reemployment service and eligibility assessment program. Makes various changes regarding extended unemployment benefits. Provides that repayment of a benefits overpayment may be waived if certain conditions are met. Alters certain fee and payment provisions. Removes or alters notice and delivery requirements and extends certain deadlines. Requires the department to issue a written notice of violation to a person who fails to comply with certain authorization requirements. Provides that the department may assess a civil penalty against a person under certain circumstances. Requires civil penalties collected by the department to be deposited in the proprietary educational institution authorization fund. Establishes the unemployment insurance modernization fund (fund). Requires the department to annually submit a report to the budget committee detailing the expenditures made from the fund during the previous state fiscal year. Requires the department to annually submit a report to the budget committee concerning the status of the department's unemployment insurance program. Provides that the department may establish a reemployment pilot program. Makes conforming changes.

Linda RogersRepublican

Unlawful discrimination.

Repeals provisions concerning university diversity committees. Prohibits unlawful discrimination in education, public employment, and licensure. Allows participation in public contracts by a minority business enterprise, women's business enterprise, and veteran business enterprise, as currently authorized by law. Permits scholarships based on a personal characteristic of the recipient if the scholarship is not funded by state funds or resources, and permits the renewal of specified state funded minority teaching scholarships for those recipients who were initially awarded the scholarship before July 1, 2025. Changes the criteria for certain state funded teaching scholarships from minority status to residence in an underserved county and an agreement to teach in an underserved county. Prohibits requiring as a condition of licensure that a person affirm that a person with a certain personal characteristic: (1) is inherently superior or inferior to a person with a different personal characteristic; (2) should be blamed for actions committed in the past; or (3) has a moral character that is determined by a personal characteristic of the person. Prohibits a public employer from requiring training asserting that, or implementing the theory that, a person with a certain personal characteristic: (1) is inherently superior or inferior to a person with a different personal characteristic; (2) should be blamed for actions committed in the past; or (3) has a moral character that is determined by a personal characteristic of the person. Permits a person injured by a violation to bring a civil action for actual damages, court costs, and injunctive relief.

Gary ByrneRepublican

Various education matters.

Requires the department of education (department) to: (1) evaluate, approve, and publish a list of high quality curricular materials for use in English/language arts; and (2) collaborate with teachers in evaluating and approving the English/language arts curricular materials. Provides that the evaluation process for certain curricular materials must include the age appropriateness of the content. Specifies that the curriculum used by a school in which fewer than 70% of students achieved a valid passing score on the determinant evaluation of reading skills must be age appropriate. Requires, subject to available funding, certain schools to participate in the Indiana literacy cadre. Amends the definition of "eligible school" for purposes of the choice scholarship program. Provides that a parent who: (1) is an education scholarship account (ESA) participating entity; and (2) teaches a course or program only to an eligible student who is the parent's child and does not teach a course or program to any other eligible student; may not submit a claim for reimbursement of an ESA qualified expense of tuition and fees to teach the parent's child. Establishes penalties for certain violations by an ESA participating entity.

Jeff RaatzRepublican

School board matters.

Requires a petition of nomination for a school board office to state one of the following: (1) The candidate's political party affiliation. (2) That the candidate is an independent candidate. (3) That the candidate elects not to disclose any affiliation with a political party or that the candidate is not affiliated with a political party and does not identify as an independent candidate. Specifies that unless a candidate who states a political party affiliation is challenged, the candidate's statement must be indicated on the ballot. Provides that the name of a candidate for school board office who does not run in affiliation with a political party or as an independent candidate must be printed with a blank space after the candidate's name signifying that the candidate elects not to disclose any affiliation with a political party or that the candidate is not affiliated with a political party and does not identify as an independent candidate. Specifies that a straight party vote does not count for any candidate for a school board office. Requires a school board vacancy to be filled by: (1) a caucus if the vacating member stated an affiliation with a major political party; and (2) the remaining members of the governing body if the vacating member did not state an affiliation with a major political party. Modifies the annual amount that the governing body of a school corporation may pay a member of the governing body from $2,000 (under current law) to an amount not to exceed 10% of the lowest starting salary of a teacher employed by the school corporation.

Gary ByrneRepublican

Education matters.

Requires, not later than October 1, 2025, the secretary of education to compile and prepare a report concerning school bus driver safety education training. Makes certain changes concerning the process of filling a school board vacancy. Provides that a superintendent is preferred (current law says required) to hold a master's degree from certain institutions. Provides that certain covered school buildings are not required to revert to a school corporation if the building is subject to ongoing renovations. Provides that a superintendent must discuss a plan for annual performance evaluations with teachers (instead of teachers or the teachers' representative). Requires, not later than August 1, 2025, the early learning advisory committee, in coordination with the department of education, to assess certain prekindergarten program matters and submit a report to the legislative council. Removes a provision that contracts with certain superintendents must be in a form of a regular teacher's contract.

Linda RogersRepublican

IURC matters.

Amends within the Indiana Code chapter governing publication procedures for political subdivisions the provision governing the publication of a notice of a hearing by the Indiana utility regulatory commission (IURC) to reference the publication procedures for hearings set forth in the Indiana Code chapter governing the IURC. Amends the publication procedures within the statute governing the IURC to provide that if any newspaper of general circulation in which the IURC publishes a notice does not publish a print edition at least three times a week, the IURC may publish the notice in either: (1) the print edition; or (2) an electronic edition; of the newspaper or a locality newspaper that circulates within the county. Adds a definition of "court reporter" to the Indiana Code chapter governing the regulation of utilities. Replaces references to a "stenographer" with references to a "court reporter" throughout that chapter and in other instances in the Indiana Code in which a "stenographer" or "reporter" is referenced in the context of an IURC proceeding. Repeals all remaining provisions in the Indiana Code chapter concerning alternative energy projects by rural electric membership corporations following the repeal by the general assembly in 2024 of other provisions in that chapter that established a fund to provide incentives under a program that is no longer operational. Increases the civil penalties for violations of the state statute or rules governing pipeline safety: (1) from $25,000 to $200,000 per violation per day; and (2) from $1,000,000 to $2,000,000 for the maximum civil penalty for a related series of violations; so as to conform Indiana's civil penalties with those prescribed by the federal Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration.

Eric KochRepublican

Amended registration.

Provides that if a person changes the exterior color or appearance of their passenger vehicle from the color listed in the vehicle's registration through certain methods, the person must apply to amend their vehicle registration, and that a law enforcement officer shall issue a warning to a person who does not update the person's registration to reflect the color changes. Provides that a person commits a Class C misdemeanor if the person changes the color of a passenger vehicle after it was used in the commission of a crime and fails to amend the vehicle registration. Requires the BMV to require a person renewing a registration to indicate if the vehicle's color has changed.

Mark SpencerDemocrat

Employee absence for certain meetings.

Prohibits an employer from taking an adverse employment action against an employee as a result of the employee's absence from work to attend an attendance conference or a case conference committee meeting with respect to the employee's child, except under certain circumstances. Provides that an employer is not required to pay an employee for travel or attendance time with respect to a conference or meeting. Requires certain persons to provide documentation related to a conference or meeting under certain circumstances.

Rodney PolDemocrat

Teacher compensation.

Amends provisions that allow school corporations to provide a supplemental payment to teachers in excess of the salary specified in the school corporation's compensation plan. Makes corresponding changes.

Spencer DeeryRepublican

Film and media production tax credit.

Provides that a taxpayer may assign any part of the film and media production tax credit (credit) that the taxpayer may claim. Sets forth the procedure for a taxpayer to make the assignment. Establishes a limit of $250,000 for any single tax credit provided. Limits the aggregate amount of tax credits that may be provided to $2,000,000. Extends the credit's expiration date from July 1, 2027, to July 1, 2031.

Andy Zay

Medicaid matters.

Requires the office of the secretary of family and social services (office) to report specified Medicaid data to the Medicaid oversight committee. Requires the office to annually prepare and present a report to the budget committee concerning the enforcement of the Medicaid five year look back period. Prohibits specified persons from advertising or otherwise marketing the Medicaid program. Provides that the office may adopt rules concerning permissible advertising or marketing indicating participation in the Medicaid program by a person that has contracted with the office. Allows the office to reimburse medical providers at the appropriate Medicaid fee schedule rate for certified medical claims prior to the beginning of benefits, provided the claims satisfy certain conditions. Repeals language allowing for marketing of the Medicaid program. Requires the office to receive and review data from specified federal and state agencies concerning Medicaid recipients to determine whether circumstances have changed that affect Medicaid eligibility for recipients and to perform a redetermination. Requires the office to establish: (1) performance standards for hospitals that make presumptive eligibility determinations and sets out action for when hospitals do not comply with the standards; and (2) an appeals procedure for hospitals that dispute the violation determination. Sets out a hospital's responsibilities when making a presumptive eligibility determination. Imposes corrective action and restrictions for failing to meet presumptive eligibility standards. Specifies requirements, allowances, and limitations for the healthy Indiana plan.

Ryan MishlerRepublican

Clean water Indiana program.

Permits the use of funds from the clean water Indiana fund to manage invasive plant species.

Susan GlickRepublican

Nursing matters.

Adds members to the Indiana state board of nursing and changes the required qualifications for certain members. Amends the requirements that an individual applying for a license to practice as a licensed practical nurse must meet. Provides that an applicant for a state accredited program of practical nursing (program) is not required to have a high school diploma or its equivalent. Requires a student of the program to obtain a high school diploma or its equivalent before completing the program.

Shelli YoderDemocrat

Local government finance.

Places restrictions on the issuance of certain general obligation bonds. Amends a capitalization rate percentage under the statewide agricultural land base rate determination. Provides that the percentage cap used to determine the maximum levy growth quotient is 4% in 2026. Provides that, notwithstanding any growth in a political subdivision's assessed value (AV) in the previous year, a political subdivision's ad valorem property tax levy shall not exceed the ad valorem property tax levy for its last preceding annual budget, unless the fiscal body of the political subdivision adopts an affirmative tax rate and tax levy increase by ordinance following a separate public hearing. Requires a resulting decrease in tax rates for each political subdivision in which there was an increase in the political subdivision's AV in the previous year, subject to any affirmative tax rate and tax levy increase adopted by the fiscal body of the political subdivision. Phases out the authority for the department of local government finance (department) to permit an excess tax levy that is based on AV growth, school transportation costs, and other circumstances. Retains the provisions that permit an excess tax levy if the civil taxing unit cannot carry out its governmental functions in the case of annexation, a natural disaster, an accident, or an emergency. Phases in an increase in the acquisition cost threshold for the business personal property tax exemption from $80,000 to $2,000,000. Provides that the 30% minimum valuation limitation does not apply to business personal property placed in service after January 1, 2025. Phases down the homestead standard deduction over five years to zero beginning for taxes due and payable in 2031. Phases in an increase in the supplemental homestead deduction to 2/3 of the AV of the homestead. Phases in an AV deduction for all property that is subject to the 2% circuit breaker credit for excessive property taxes for assessment dates beginning in 2025 up to a 1/3 AV deduction for taxes due and payable in 2031, and each taxable year thereafter. Expires certain property tax deductions allowed in current law, and instead allows a credit against local property taxes in certain instances. Makes certain changes to the qualification requirements and credit amount for the over 65 circuit breaker credit. Provides a supplemental homestead tax credit for property taxes for a person's homestead if the person qualifies for a standard homestead deduction for the same homestead property. Provides that specified referendums may be placed on the ballot only at a general election. Amends the ballot language for controlled project, school operating, and school public safety referendums. Provides that a school corporation may not adopt a resolution to place a controlled project referendum on the ballot during the second calendar year after the final calendar year in which a previously approved controlled project referendum levy is imposed. Modifies the threshold amounts used for determining whether a political subdivision's project is a controlled project and whether the petition and remonstrance process or the referendum process applies based on the political subdivision's total debt service tax rate. Adds provisions to authorize a county fiscal body to adopt an ordinance to establish a property tax payment deferral program (program). Provides that a qualified individual participating in the program may defer the payment of part of the property taxes that would otherwise be due on a homestead. Provides that property taxes deferred under the program are due after the occurrence of a deferral termination event. Provides that the maximum amount of taxes that may be deferred cumulatively year over year may not exceed $10,000. Increases, beginning in 2028, the maximum local income tax (LIT) expenditure rate for all counties to 2.9%. Authorizes a city or town to impose a municipal LIT rate beginning in 2028 not to exceed 1.2%. Provides that within a county's total expenditure rate, the county may adopt: (1) up to a 1.2% rate for county general purpose revenue; (2) up to a 0.4% rate for fire protection and emergency medical services; (3) up to a 0.2% rate for nonmunicipal civil taxing unit general purpose revenue; and (4) up to 1.2% for certain cities and towns that are not eligible to adopt a municipal LIT rate. Eliminates provisions that provide for a distribution of LIT expenditure rate revenue to schools and civil taxing units in counties that imposed a rate under the prior county adjusted gross income tax. Authorizes a county fiscal body to impose a local income tax expenditure rate to provide property tax relief for property tax liability attributable to homesteads in the county before January 1, 2028. Expires the authority to impose a property tax relief rate under the LIT and repeals the levy freeze rate. Provides that, in order to continue to impose an expenditure tax rate after 2027, each county must adopt a new ordinance on or before October 1, 2027, to impose the rate. Provides that, for counties that fail to adopt an ordinance to renew an existing expenditure tax rate in 2027, the expenditure tax rate for the county in 2028 shall be the minimum tax rate necessary for existing debt service. Specifies that this does not prevent the county from renewing, imposing, or modifying an expenditure tax rate in subsequent years. Eliminates local income tax councils beginning July 1, 2027, and instead provides that the county fiscal body is the adopting body in all counties for purposes of the county LIT, and the city or town fiscal body is the adopting body in the case of a municipal LIT. Establishes the state and local income tax holding account within the state general fund for purposes of LIT distributions. Requires the budget agency to maintain an accounting for each county imposing a county LIT based on annual returns filed by or for county taxpayers (same as current law). Requires undistributed amounts so accounted to be held for purposes of the state and local income tax holding account beginning after December 31, 2026. (Under current law, undistributed amounts are required to be held in reserve separate from the state general fund.) Requires the budget agency to present each December to the budget committee a report of the following: (1) An estimate of the monthly certified distribution amounts for the immediately succeeding calendar year. (2) A description of the method used to determine the monthly estimates. Beginning in 2028, requires the budget agency to make monthly transfers to the state and local income tax holding account of the amount determined for the month in the budget agency's report to the budget committee. Repeals a provision that requires the budget agency to adjust the certified distribution of a county for the succeeding year following a tax rate change. Requires the department to develop and maintain a property tax transparency portal through which taxpayers may: (1) compare the property tax liability in their current tax statement compared to their potential property tax liability based on changes under a proposed tax rate; and (2) provide taxpayer feedback to the department. Prohibits the northern Indiana commuter transportation district from issuing new bonds after May 9, 2025, that are payable in whole or in part from amounts distributed from the commuter rail service fund or the electric rail service fund. Requires all school corporations that adopt a resolution for an operating referendum tax levy that is imposed for the first time with property taxes first due and payable beginning after 2027 to share revenue with certain charter schools. Requires, beginning with distributions in 2028, that all school corporations begin sharing revenue from the school corporation's operations fund levy with certain charter schools. Provides for the phasing in of the sharing of revenue with certain charter schools from the school corporation's operations fund levy. Provides for the appointment of additional board members to the governing board of a charter school that receives property tax revenue. Sets forth additional procedures related to the closure of a charter school. Dissolves the Union School Corporation. Provides that for a fire protection territory established after January 1, 2025, each unit in a territory may not impose a tax rate that exceeds $0.40 per $100 of assessed valuation. Makes conforming changes. Makes technical corrections. Makes an appropriation.

Travis HoldmanRepublican

County government matters.

Allows an executive session to be held to communicate with an attorney, subject to the attorney client privilege. Excludes conveyances to a unit from the definition of a "conveyance document". Amends requirements for local ordinances concerning the operation of a golf cart or an off-road vehicle. Provides that if a body is to be transported by common carrier, the person in charge of interment shall secure a burial transit permit in duplicate from certain individuals. Provides that the governing body of a school corporation may enter into a public-private agreement for the construction or renovation of school buildings under the statutes governing public-private agreements. Provides that certain fees collected by the county recorder are deposited in the county recorder's records perpetuation fund. Provides that a fee for recording a mortgage assumption is the same as the fee for recording a mortgage. Prohibits a county employee from taking action on a county contract, unless permitted by a county ordinance. Amends the definition of "residential property" used for an allocation area established after June 30, 2025. Provides that, after June 30, 2025, no action shall be brought with respect to jail or prison conditions under state law by an offender until such administrative remedies as are available are exhausted.

Jennifer MeltzerRepublican

Various elections matters.

Modifies the definition of "candidate". Provides that certain documents and material generated for or used by a political party caucus to select a person to fill a vacancy in an elected office are the property of the political party. Provides that the office of the circuit court clerk must remain closed on primary election day and general election day. Provides that the circuit court clerk shall perform required duties to conduct elections on primary election day and general election day. Specifies that the circuit court clerk is not required to perform on primary election day and general election day a duty other than conducting elections. Requires a county, city, town, township, or school to provide to an employee of a local government office who requests leave to serve: (1) on primary election day or general election day; and (2) as a precinct election officer; a paid day of leave to serve as a precinct election officer. Specifies an exception. Requires certain redistricting authorities to redistrict election districts or recertify existing election districts within the statutory deadlines and withholds payment to aa member of a redistricting authority for failure to do so. Prescribes fees to be charged by the election division for particular products and services. Changes the manner in which a copy of a complaint is to be provided to members of the Indiana election commission. Specifies the term of a chairman of a county election board, circumstances under which the chairman is considered to have vacated the office, and the process for electing a member of the board to serve as chairman following a vacancy. Provides that a person must: (1) be at least 18 years of age at the next general, municipal, or special election; (2) be a United States citizen; and (3) reside in a precinct continuously before a general, municipal, or special election for at least 30 days; to register to vote in that precinct and may, upon making a proper application, register to vote in that precinct. Requires absentee activity reports and other election day reports to be provided by a certain time and provides exceptions. Requires the county voter registration official to take certain actions concerning potential nonresidential addresses not later than August 1 of each year. Provides that the county voter registration official may not enter a nonresidential address into the statewide voter registration system as a voter's registration address. Provides that the spouse of a service member may elect to use the same residence as the member. Requires a county voter registration office to conduct a voter list maintenance program within 48 hours of receiving certain information. Allows a county voter registration office to use, for purposes of voter list maintenance: (1) information received by the county voter registration office indicating that a voter has moved to another state; (2) the return of an absentee ballot sent by the county election board to a voter because of an unknown or insufficient address. Requires a county voter registration office that receives information indicating that a voter has moved to another state to mail a specified form to the voter. Specifies that a full-time employee of the department of homeland security who is prohibited from participating in political activities is disqualified from assuming or being a candidate for an elected office. Requires a write-in candidate for a school board office to file a declaration of intent to be a write-in candidate with the county election board. Provides, for purposes of stating a candidate's affiliation with a political party in a declaration of candidacy, that if a candidate cast a nonpartisan ballot at an election held at either of the two most recent primary elections in which the candidate voted, a certification by the county chairman is required. Provides that, under certain circumstances, a county election board is not required to compile: (1) the addresses of persons for whom declarations of candidacy have been filed; or (2) information concerning precinct committeemen or state convention delegates. Specifies that a circuit court clerk who is required to conduct a special election is not required to publish the address of a candidate. Requires candidates for school board office and their candidate's committees to file required instruments with the county election board. Requires the names of all: (1) candidates for presidential electors and alternate presidential electors; and (2) nominees for President and Vice President of the United States; to be certified to the election division not later than noon September 1 before the general election. (Current law requires certification not later than noon on the second Tuesday in September before the general election.) Allows the county election board, by unanimous vote of the board's entire membership, to use bound materials instead of a paper envelope or bag in certain circumstances. Requires a voter registration application or absentee ballot application requested through electronic mail by a voter with print disabilities to be provided by electronic mail. (Current law permits providing these documents by fax or mail in certain circumstances.) Allows an individual to submit: (1) a replacement ballot statement request; and (2) a written replacement ballot request; by electronic mail. Repeals a provision that prohibits a voter from: (1) taking a digital image or photograph of the voter's ballot while in a polling place, except in specified circumstances; and (2) distributing or sharing the image using social media or by any other means. Requires that a voter entitled to cast an absentee ballot before an absentee voter board mark the voter's political party ballot selection on the electronic poll book instead of communicating the selection to the poll clerks. Permits a vendor to dispose of a voting system unit or an electronic poll book unit by transferring possession of the unit to a state or county historical society in Indiana. Specifies circumstances in which a candidate filing a petition for a recount or contest is liable for the expenses chargeable to another party. Provides that a petition for a recount or contest may not be filed earlier than noon 10 days after election day. Specifies, with regard to filling a candidate vacancy for a local office, that an authorization to fill vacancies given to a county chairman or a county committee expires at the time of the next election for precinct committeemen for the party with which the county chairman or county committee is affiliated. Provides that action to fill an early candidate vacancy must be taken not earlier than May 8 after the primary election if the vacancy exists on a general or municipal election ballot. Provides that if only one person seeks to fill a vacancy in a local office held by a major political party, a caucus vote is not required and the county chairman may select that person to fill the vacancy. Provides that certain state officers are liable to impeachment for crime, incapacity, or negligence in office. (Current law provides that these officers are liable to impeachment for any misdemeanor in office.) Specifies, for purposes of nepotism provisions, that the performance of certain duties of an absentee voter board, an absentee ballot counter, a provisional ballot counter, or an absentee ballot courier is not considered employment by a unit.

Timothy WescoRepublican

School and public safety matters.

Expands the eligibility requirements for admission to the Indiana Veterans' Home. Provides that the department of natural resources shall provide staff support for the Indiana semiquincentennial commission (commission). (Current law provides that the Indiana department of veterans' affairs provides staff support for the commission.) Adds a definition of an "eligible person" for purposes of administering grants for veteran services (GVS). Provides that a qualified entity may receive a GVS to provide certain services to support an eligible person. Makes changes to the qualifications to receive a veteran's burial allowance. Establishes the Medal of Honor license plate. Restores a provision of current law concerning certain disability ratings, as determined by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs, and educational cost exemptions. Updates references throughout the Indiana Code relating to the armed forces of the United States or uniformed services to include the United States Space Force. Changes references relating to military discharges. Makes technical changes to various references relating to the components of the armed forces of the United States. Provides that Hamilton County is not subject to the political party membership requirements for a board of aviation commissioners or an airport authority. Establishes the office of school safety within the department of homeland security (department) for the purpose of coordinating and administering school security and safety resources. Changes the composition of the secured school safety board. Requires a school corporation or charter school to comply with certain safety related requests by the office of school safety. Authorizes the department to issue enforcement orders in accordance with rules adopted by the board of firefighting personnel standards and education. Removes emergency medical services enforcement authority from the state fire marshal's management authority. Provides that the department, a fire department, an airport fire department, or a volunteer fire department may open burn for fire training purposes if certain conditions are met. Makes various changes to provisions relating to the department's enforcement authority pertaining to the administrative adjudication of building fire and safety laws. Amends the definition of "law enforcement officer" to include the state fire marshal and the executive director or fire investigator of the department. Provides that the fire prevention and building safety commission, with certain exceptions, may not adopt a final rule for more than three building codes during any 12 month period. Defines "correctional services provider" and adds correctional services providers to the definition of "covered person" for purposes of restricting access to a covered person's address on a public property data base website. Provides that a school resource officer who has completed Tier I or Tier II basic training has statewide jurisdiction. Provides that a school resource officer may pursue a person who flees from a school resource officer after the school resource officer has, by visible or audible means, including the operation of the school resource officer's siren or emergency lights, identified themself and ordered the person to stop. Increases the penalty for criminal recklessness from a Class B to a Class A misdemeanor. Specifies that the immunities and limitations on liability that apply to a law enforcement officer (and the officer's employing agency) acting within the officer's jurisdictional area also apply to an officer (and employing agency) acting outside the jurisdictional area under certain circumstances. Makes pointing a firearm by a passenger in a vehicle whose driver is committing criminal recklessness a Level 6 felony under certain circumstances. Adds a hospital police department to the definition of police departments required to provide police officers with certain rights. Repeals the provision establishing the department of education's division of school building physical security and safety. Makes conforming amendments.

Steve BartelsRepublican

Various elections matters.

Modifies the definition of "auxiliary party organization". Specifies that the definition of "contribution" includes certain donations of property through a payment platform that acts as a conduit. Requires each county to submit to the secretary of state (secretary) information concerning the county's information technology provider. Repeals a provision that allows the Indiana election commission (commission) to issue advisory opinions. Provides that an advisory opinion issued by the commission before July 1, 2025, is void. Permits a pollbook holder, challenger, or watcher to enter, leave, and reenter multiple polling places at any time on election day. Requires the county voter registration official to send a notice requesting proof of citizenship to an individual who uses an identification number from a temporary credential as part of the individual's voter registration application. Provides that an applicant may not list on the voter registration form a post office box or a commercially available mailing box as the residence address of the applicant. Prohibits, with some exceptions, an individual from printing or setting forth information on any part of a voter registration form that will be mailed to another individual. Requires a person who receives a completed petition for nomination of a candidate and has reason to believe that the petition is materially false, fictitious, or fraudulent to deliver the petition to a county election board. Requires the county election board to take certain actions to determine if a violation of election law has occurred. Provides that certain paid political advertising or campaign material does not falsely represent that the candidate is or has been an officeholder. Requires the reporting of certain information if a contribution is made through a payment platform that acts as a conduit. Allows a voter who resides in any precinct to challenge a voter or person who offers to vote at a primary election. Provides that an absentee ballot affidavit that does not contain an accurate date of signature is insufficient and must be rejected. Permits the secretary to conduct a procedure audit of a primary or general election after the election occurs. Requires the secretary to issue orders concerning procedure audits. Specifies the deadlines by which procedure audits must be completed. Makes it a Class A misdemeanor to circulate or publish material in an election without printing a certain statement on the envelope of an absentee ballot application that a person sends to an individual.

Timothy WescoRepublican

Teacher compensation.

Requires the department of education (department) to submit a report to the general assembly before November 1, 2025, that provides an analysis of the feasibility and cost of increasing school corporation employee health plan options. Creates the Indiana teacher recruitment program. Beginning June 30, 2025: (1) increases the minimum salary for a teacher employed by a school corporation to $45,000 (current law requires $40,000); and (2) requires a school corporation to expend an amount for teacher compensation that is not less than 65% of state tuition support (current law requires 62%). Amends the requirements for a school corporation and the department if the school corporation determines that the school corporation cannot meet minimum teacher salary requirements. Removes a provision that provides that the matrix rating system may not rank or compare teacher preparation programs.

Linda RogersRepublican

Juvenile law matters.

Requires the family and social services administration (FSSA) to provide address information to the department of child services (department) under specified circumstances subject to federal approval of a state plan amendment or waiver allowing FSSA to do so. Provides that it is the policy of the state of Indiana and the purpose of Indiana family and juvenile law to: (1) recognize the responsibility of the state and of the department for the safety of children who are abused or neglected; (2) recognize that a parent's interest in receiving services at the time and expense of the state for purposes of reunification is limited; (3) promote the safety of all children involved in the juvenile justice system; and (4) ensure timely placement of children in foster care into permanent homes. Provides that a procedural deadline in a: (1) child in need of services (CHINS) proceeding; or (2) termination of parent-child relationship (TPR) proceeding; is not subject to waiver by a party to the proceeding, except as permitted in specified circumstances under current law. Provides that an individual with whom a child is placed during CHINS proceedings is entitled to attend, in its entirety, any hearing conducted as part of: (1) the CHINS proceedings; or (2) TPR proceedings resulting from a TPR petition filed with regard to the child during the CHINS proceedings. Provides that a court shall allow an individual who is providing care and supervision of a child as: (1) a foster parent; (2) a long term foster parent; or (3) an unlicensed kinship caregiver; at the time the child is the subject of a CHINS proceeding or TPR proceeding to intervene as a party during any stage of the proceeding if the court makes specified findings. Provides that a court shall allow an individual who is providing care and supervision for a child to intervene in a TPR proceeding concerning the child. Provides that a child is a CHINS if, before the child becomes 18 years of age: (1) the child's physical or mental health is seriously endangered due to failure of the child's parent, guardian, or custodian to protect the child from exposure to the use, possession, sale, or manufacture of illegal drugs; and (2) the child needs care, treatment, or rehabilitation that the child is not receiving and that is unlikely to be provided or accepted without the coercive intervention of the court. Removes a rebuttable presumption in current law that a child's physical or mental health is seriously endangered based on evidence of illegal manufacture of a drug or controlled substance occurring at the child's residence and provides that there is a rebuttable presumption that a child is a CHINS if the court finds that the child's parent, guardian, or custodian willfully or knowingly: (1) exposed the child to the illegal manufacture or distribution of a legend drug or controlled substance; or (2) exposed the child to: (A) methamphetamine; (B) fentanyl; or (C) a fentanyl containing substance; for which the parent, guardian, or custodian did not have a valid prescription. Amends the factors a court must consider when determining whether to detain a child who has been removed from the child's parent, guardian, or custodian to include considerations relating to exposure of the child to a fentanyl containing substance or fentanyl related substance. Provides that the rights of the: (1) child; (2) child's parents, guardian, or custodian; (3) department; and (4) guardian ad litem or court appointed special advocate; as parties to a proceeding regarding the child under Indiana juvenile law include rights of discovery, subpoena, examination of witnesses, and presentation of evidence at any hearing in the proceeding. Provides that the statutory deadline for holding of a factfinding hearing in a CHINS proceeding may be extended if the court finds that the extension is necessitated by: (1) unanticipated, emergent circumstances; (2) the circumstances of the case; or (3) the Indiana Rules of Trial Procedure. Provides that there is a rebuttable presumption that a child is a CHINS if the court finds that the child lives in the same household as an adult who is subject to an order issued in a CHINS proceeding that requires the adult to participate in a program of care, treatment, or rehabilitation. Adds factors that a court must consider in determining appropriate reunification services in which a child's parent, guardian, or custodian will be required to participate under the child's dispositional decree. Provides that: (1) a dispositional decree that: (A) is entered under specified circumstances; and (B) requires a parent, guardian, or custodian to complete reunification services; may not provide for the parent, guardian, or custodian to receive the reunification services for more than a specified length of time, subject to extension for specified causes; and (2) a court reviewing the dispositional decree shall consider the amount of time remaining for the parent, guardian, or custodian to complete the reunification services. Specifies that the requirement that a court reviewing a dispositional decree must determine whether the department has made reasonable efforts to provide family services does not apply if a finding has been made that reasonable efforts for family preservation or reunification are not required. Provides that in determining the extent to which reasonable efforts to reunify or preserve a family are appropriate, the child's welfare (in addition to the child's health and safety, under current law) is of paramount concern. Provides that if the department conducts a criminal history check of: (1) a parent, guardian, or custodian; or (2) a household member of the parent, guardian, or custodian; before reunifying a child with the parent, guardian, or custodian, the department shall (rather than may, under current law) use the results of the criminal history check to decide whether it is safe for the child to return home and shall provide the results of the criminal history check to the court. Requires a court to hold a permanency hearing for a child: (1) who has been removed from the child's parent, guardian, or custodian for at least 12 months; or (2) with regard to whom at least 12 months have expired since a dispositional decree was entered; at the request of any party to the CHINS proceeding that requests a permanency hearing on the basis that continuation of efforts to reunify or preserve the child's family are inconsistent with the best interests of the child. Provides that if a child has, at the time of a permanency hearing, been removed from the child's parent for at least 12 of the most recent 22 months, the permanency plan for the child must include at least one intended permanent or long term care and custody arrangement that would not return the child to the care and custody of the parent, guardian, or custodian from whose care and custody the child has been removed. Provides that if a child is less than 16 years of age, the intended permanent or long term care and custody arrangement for the child may be guardianship or placement with a permanent custodian only if the proposed guardian or custodian appears before the court and testifies as to the individual's willingness to assume custody of the child. Provides that: (1) if a court approves a permanency plan for a child under which adoption is the only intended permanent or long term care and custody arrangement, the department shall publish specified information regarding the child to facilitate adoption of the child; and (2) the information published by the department to facilitate adoption of a child who is: (A) a CHINS; and (B) a hard to place child; may include the child's first name and picture. Requires a court to hold an initial hearing on a TPR petition not later than 30 days after the petition is filed. Provides that under specified circumstances, a TPR petition regarding a child and the child's parent: (1) must be filed by the department; and (2) may be filed by: (A) the child's guardian ad litem or court appointed special advocate; or (B) an individual: (i) with whom the child is placed during the CHINS proceedings; and (ii) who is an intervenor in the CHINS proceedings. Amends the allegations that may be asserted in a TPR petition. Removes a provision requiring a person that files a TPR petition to also file a: (1) copy of the order approving the permanency plan for the child; or (2) permanency plan for the child. Provides that the deadline for holding a hearing regarding a TPR petition may be extended if the court finds that extension of the deadline is necessitated by: (1) unanticipated, emergent circumstances; (2) the circumstances of the case; or (3) the Indiana Rules of Trial Procedure. Provides that a representative of a licensed child placing agency that is providing services to a child during child in need of services (CHINS) proceedings is entitled to attend, in its entirety, any hearing conducted as part of: (1) the CHINS proceedings; or (2) termination of parent-child relationship (TPR) proceedings resulting from a TPR petition filed with regard to the child during the CHINS proceedings. Provides that the requirement that DCS publish specified information regarding a child to facilitate adoption of the child does not apply if the child is already in a pre-adoptive placement in a proposed adoptive home. Makes conforming and technical changes.

Julie McGuireRepublican

Mobile retail food establishment licenses.

Requires the Indiana department of health (state department) to establish: (1) a statewide mobile retail food establishment license (license); (2) standards for the licensure, inspection, and operation of a mobile retail food establishment; and (3) license fees and inspection fees. Requires the state department to establish a workgroup to collaborate with in implementing specified provisions. Beginning January 1, 2027, requires a local health department to: (1) receive applications for licenses; (2) collect annual license and inspection fees; (3) issue licenses; and (4) conduct semiannual inspections of a mobile retail food establishment that is issued a license. Provides that an owner or operator of a mobile retail food establishment issued a license is not required to obtain a county or local license or permit, nor required to pay a county or local inspection fee or a license or permit fee. Provides that beginning January 1, 2027, a person may not operate a mobile retail food establishment in Indiana unless the person obtains a license. Requires the state department to adopt rules to implement these provisions. Repeals provisions of law governing mobile retail food establishment permits effective January 1, 2027.

Joanna KingRepublican

Insurance matters.

Provides that the director of the state personnel department may make a determination to provide coverage under the state employee health plan for emergency medical services as part of a mobile integrated healthcare program. Provides that the requirement for a policy of accident and sickness insurance and a health maintenance organization contract to provide reimbursement for emergency medical services includes emergency medical services that are performed or provided as part of a mobile integrated healthcare program. Repeals a provision that requires the department of insurance to maintain an electronic system for the collection and storage of information concerning transactions involving residential property. Provides that the article regarding consumer data protection does not apply to any organization exempt from taxation under Section 501(c)(4) of the Internal Revenue Code that is: (1) established to detect or prevent insurance related crime or fraud; and (2) subject to a memorandum of understanding with a statewide law enforcement agency. Changes the deadline for the Indiana Public Employers' Plan, Inc., to apply to the insurance commissioner for a certificate of authority to transact business as a domestic tax exempt reciprocal insurance company from before December 31, 2026, to before December 31, 2030. Repeals the statute requiring carriers of health insurance plans to conduct annual public forums. Provides that provisions requiring a notice of material change apply to personal automobile or homeowner's policies that are issued, delivered, amended, or renewed after June 30, 2026. Amends the definition of "small employer" in the chapter regarding small employer group health insurance. Makes corresponding changes.

Martin CarbaughRepublican

Probation transfers for sex or violent offenders.

Prohibits the transfer of a sex or violent offender's probation jurisdiction to another county in Indiana while the offender is required to register as an offender unless certain conditions are met. Prohibits a sexually violent predator or an offender against children from working in any setting where the predator or offender: (1) has more than incidental and occasional contact with a child who is not accompanied by the child's parent, guardian, or custodian; (2) has supervisory or disciplinary power over a child; or (3) is expected to touch a child on a more than incidental and occasional basis.

Ben SmaltzRepublican

Cost sharing; out-of-pocket expense credit.

Requires an insurer, an administrator, and a pharmacy benefit manager to apply the annual limitation on cost sharing set forth in the federal Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act under 42 U.S.C. 18022(c)(1) to prescription drugs that: (1) are covered under a health plan; (2) are life-saving or intended to manage chronic pain; and (3) do not have an approved generic version. Provides that an insurer, an administrator, and a pharmacy benefit manager may not directly or indirectly set, alter, implement, or condition the terms of health insurance coverage based in part or entirely on information about the availability or amount of financial or product assistance available for a prescription drug. Requires, before December 31 of each year, each insurer and administrator to certify to the insurance commissioner that the insurer or administrator has fully and completely complied with the cost sharing requirements during the previous calendar year. Requires a health plan to credit toward a covered individual's deductible and annual maximum out-of-pocket expenses any amount the covered individual pays directly to any health care provider for a medically necessary covered health care service if a claim for the health care service is not submitted to the health plan and the amount paid by the covered individual to the health care provider is less than the average discounted rate for the health care service paid to a health care provider in the health plan's network. Requires a health plan to: (1) establish a procedure by which a covered individual may claim a credit; and (2) identify documentation necessary to support a claim for a credit.

Julie McGuireRepublican

Department of natural resources.

Establishes a procedure to be followed when there are unpaid taxes assessed on a mineral interest. Adds a $10,000 cap on a tax credit for a taxpayer who completes preservation or rehabilitation of a historic property. Establishes that the department of natural resources can not certify credits into future years, but may maintain credits previously certified (credits granted before March 10, 2025 for expenditures incurred before July 1, 2024). Provides conditions and guidelines under which the department of natural resources may establish submerged lands preserves. Asks the legislative council to assign to an appropriate interim study committee the topic of studying the economic value of public land for recreation in Indiana.

Shane LindauerRepublican

Long term care insurance partnership program.

Requires the office of the secretary of family and social services to reapply before September 1, 2025, for a Medicaid state plan amendment that provides for the establishment of the long term care partnership program and the discontinuance of the current long term care program.

Martin CarbaughRepublican

Employment of minor league baseball players.

Provides that a person who has entered into a contract to play baseball at the minor league level and is compensated under the terms of a collective bargaining agreement is excluded from the definition of "employee" for purposes of the minimum wage law. Provides that a record of daily and weekly hours and wages is not required for any person who has entered into a contract to play baseball at the minor league level and is compensated under the terms of a collective bargaining agreement.

Heath VanNatterRepublican

Department of local government finance.

Increases the threshold that applies to public works projects for which the department of natural resources may use its employees to perform the labor and supervision for the project. Removes the sunset of provisions that authorize the sale of bonds at a negotiated sale. Amends provisions pertaining to the investment of public funds in certain depositories. Requires the fiscal officer (rather than the executive) of a political subdivision to upload certain contracts to the Indiana transparency website (website). Permits the political subdivision to identify an individual other than the fiscal officer to upload contracts to the website. Provides that the change to the agricultural base rate in Senate Bill 1 does not apply for the January 1, 2025, assessment date to land in inventory. Repeals the increase in the personal property tax exemption for the 2025 assessment in Senate Bill 1, but retains the increase of the personal property tax exemption to $2,000,000 for the 2026 assessment date and thereafter. Removes an exception to provisions added in Senate Bill 1 exempting depreciable personal property placed in service after January 1, 2025, from the 30% minimum valuation floor if property tax revenue that is attributable to the depreciable personal property is pledged as payment for bonds, leases, or other obligations. Repeals the local property tax credits for veterans enacted in Senate Bill 1 and reinstates the property tax deductions in current law for veterans that were expired under Senate Bill 1. Provides that the personal property online submission portal (portal) may be used to file a personal property return until 2026. Repeals (effective January 1, 2026) the provision requiring the establishment of the portal and makes corresponding changes. Adds requirements for the filing of a petition for review of land values. Amends a provision pertaining to the assessment of solar land. Provides for the assessment of community land trust property and a property tax credit for community land trust property. For purposes of public utility companies, specifies that the period of time that a taxpayer may file an objection with the department of local government finance (DLGF) is not later than 15 days after the notice is postmarked. Provides, for particular calendar years, that all or part of a building is deemed to serve a charitable purpose and is exempt from property taxation if it is owned by certain nonprofit entities. Establishes a maximum entry fee per unit that may be charged by a continuing care retirement community to qualify for the property tax exemption. Adds, for particular calendar years, continuing care retirement communities, small house health facilities, and qualified residential treatment providers to the list of exempt entities for purposes of another property tax exemption. Provides that the DLGF may (as opposed to shall) adopt certain rules with respect to property of an exempt organization used in a nonexempt trade or business. Amends the requirements that must be satisfied to receive a property tax exemption for property used by a for-profit provider of early childhood education. Establishes a partial property tax exemption for an employer that provides child care on the employer's property for the employer's employees and certain other employees. Amends certain notice and procedural provisions applicable to proceedings before the Indiana board of tax review. Clarifies the deadline for submitting amended certified net assessed value amounts. Specifies the calculation of the maximum permissible property tax levy for certain units that fail to comply with certain budget and tax levy review and adoption procedures. Adds provisions that: (1) require the DLGF to increase the maximum permissible property tax levy for certain qualifying municipalities for property taxes first due and payable in 2025 to include all debt service levies of the qualifying municipality for property taxes first due and payable in 2025; (2) specify that the adjustment is a one time and permanent increase; (3) modify the: (A) local income tax trust account threshold percentage of a county that contains a qualifying municipality (for purposes of determining whether the county shall receive a supplemental distribution); and (B) certified share allocation determination for a qualifying municipality; and (4) prohibit the use funds from the state general fund to make up certain local income tax related shortfalls. Provides temporary one time increases for the maximum permissible ad valorem property tax levies for Shelby County and the Shelby County solid waste management district. Provides that the county treasurer is not required to mail or transmit a statement for property that is exempt from taxation and does not have a reported assessed value. Requires the DLGF, in a manner determined by the DLGF, to include on the coupon page of each property tax statement educational information regarding the eligibility and procedures for various property tax benefits available to certain taxpayers. Provides that a tract or item of real property owned by a political subdivision may not be sold at a tax sale. Removes a provision requiring the county executive to provide an annual report to the legislative council concerning certain tax sales. Provides that property tax assessment board of appeals members' terms must be staggered for a two year period and begin on January 1. Provides that a property tax payment made by a check processing company received after the due date for the property taxes is considered to be made on or before the due date if the taxpayer provides reasonable evidence that the payments were made on or before the due date. Reestablishes the deduction for aircraft entitling a taxpayer to a deduction from the assessed value of abatement property in each year in which the abatement property is subject to taxation for ad valorem property taxes. Provides a sales tax exemption for sales by agricultural commodity trade associations made at the state fair. Provides certain sourcing rules for the adjusted gross income of an investment partnership. Defines "investment partnership" and other related terms. Specifies that an electing entity or pass through entity shall be permitted to claim a credit for taxes withheld or paid on the entity's behalf. Allows an electing entity to make elections to claim certain state tax liability credits and sets forth requirements that apply to those elections. Expands the physician practice ownership 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. Limits the total amount of physician practice ownership tax credits that may be awarded in a state fiscal year. Specifies that a volunteer fire department that applies to the county adopting body for a distribution of local income tax revenue that is allocated to public safety purposes must do so through the fiscal officer of the unit served by the department. Allows the Fountain County council to adopt a resolution to make a one time transfer from the county jail revenue fund to the county general fund to be used for specified purposes. Allows revenue generated from a special purpose local income tax rate in Starke County to be used to operate and maintain the county jail and related facilities. Increases the amount of the local collection assistance fee. Provides a presumption of reasonable cause exception to the penalty for failure to file a return in the case of certain small partnerships. Amends the provisions to conform to the reasonable cause exception applicable to the failure to file penalty available under federal tax procedures (IRS Rev. Proc. 84-35, 1984-1 C.B. 509). Authorizes numerous local units to impose food and beverage taxes. Allows the town of Shipshewana to increase its food and beverage tax. Removes language excluding transactions that occur at a historic hotel from the Orange County food and beverage tax and amends provisions that apply to the uses of the tax revenue. Repeals provisions authorizing the imposition of food and beverage taxes in Wayne County. Reallocates the amounts of revenue received from the Vanderburgh County innkeeper's tax that is deposited in certain funds. Authorizes certain counties to impose an innkeeper's tax under separate enabling statutes. Allows Brown County to increase its innkeeper's tax rate. Prohibits the deposit or transfer of money in an innkeeper's or food and beverage tax fund into any other fund, or deposit or transfer of money from any other fund into an innkeeper's or food and beverage tax fund. Requires a local unit that imposes a food and beverage tax (as part of its required annual reporting) to provide to the state board of accounts a consolidated financial statement for the preceding year. Requires the state board of accounts to: (1) determine whether or not local units imposing a food and beverage tax, and other entities that receive a distribution of food and beverage tax revenue, are in compliance with current reporting requirements and applicable statutory requirements; and (2) submit a report of its findings to the legislative council. Provides for a reduction of the percentage of gross revenue to be paid to a unit of local government by a holder of a cable franchise. Requires the office of the secretary of family and social services to apply to the United States Department of Health and Human Services for an amendment to each home and community based services Medicaid waiver for certain eligibility criteria related to asset limit thresholds. Specifies that certain school corporation property tax referenda are eligible to be on the ballot in an election held in the fall of 2025. Applies certain access to financial data requirements to charter schools. Restores language in a provision amended by Senate Bill 1 regarding optional revenue sharing with charter schools. Specifies that a minimum population for application of certain provisions concerning: (1) the assessment of industrial facilities; (2) the general government of counties; and (3) the division of powers of certain counties; is 450,000 (instead of 400,000). Allows a county fiscal body to make loans of money for not more than 10 years (rather than five years under current law) and issue notes for the purpose of refunding those loans. Allows a person who is: (1) engaged in the business of renting or furnishing, for periods of less than 30 days, certain lodging facilities located within an economic development district; and (2) liable for a special benefits assessment for the property; to charge a fee of not more than $1 per night. Provides that the northwest Indiana regional development authority must be reimbursed for amounts deposited in the blighted property demolition fund not later than July 1, 2027 (instead of July 1, 2026). Requires local units to make semiannual fire service reports to the state fire marshal which, in turn, is required to submit the data reported to the legislative council. Provides for funding for cultural institutions. Urges the legislative council to assign to the appropriate interim study committee the task of studying certain issues relating to property exempt for charitable purposes. Amends a 2025 law requiring certain disclosures concerning appointed officers to provide that if an appointed board is a subgroup of an elected body that is appointed entirely: (1) from the body's elected members; and (2) by a member or members of the elected body; the appointed board may publish a board member's name and elected title in the board's meeting notice or agenda with a link or web address to the website where information of each board member's appointment and term is published. Removes provisions enacted by HEA 1001-2025 that: (1) treated the local government investment pool as a financial institution; and (2) considered the seven day yield published weekly by the treasurer of state to be a quote for purposes of the law governing the deposit and investment of public funds. Provides that money in the Pokagon Band Tribal-state compact fund is continuously appropriated for the purposes of the fund. Provides that funding to a local board of health from the local public health fund may only be used for Indiana residents who are lawfully present in the United States. Resolves conflicts.

Craig SnowRepublican