Bills & Legislation

County option gasoline tax.

Allows a county to adopt an ordinance to impose a county option gasoline tax. Specifies procedures for imposition and collection of the county option gasoline tax. Provides that a county may not concurrently impose a county option gasoline tax and a: (1) county wheel tax; and (2) county vehicle excise tax. Specifies requirements for a municipality within a county that wishes to receive a distribution of revenue from the county option gasoline tax.

Ben SmaltzRepublican

Military health care personnel pathways.

Provides that an institution may develop academic career pathways and integrated academic bridge programs (program) for military health care personnel that are designed to enable current and former military health care personnel to achieve credentialing outcomes in reduced time. Creates program parameters and requirements. Requires a participating institution to submit certain program information to the legislative council. Requires an institution that participates in a program to coordinate with the United States Department of Labor and the Indiana department of veterans' affairs. Provides that the Indiana professional licensing agency shall collaborate with participating institutions to integrate academic career pathways and academic bridge programs for military health care personnel into the agency's licensure requirements.

Chris JudyRepublican

Nonprofit hospital property taxes.

Provides that real property purchased before July 1, 2026, directly or indirectly owned by a nonprofit hospital (other than a critical access hospital or a county hospital) is not exempt from property taxation if, after 10 years from the date of purchase of the property by the nonprofit hospital, the property directly or indirectly owned by the nonprofit hospital is not being used for the performance of revenue producing health care services by the nonprofit hospital that directly or indirectly owns the property. Provides that real property directly or indirectly owned by a nonprofit hospital purchased after June 30, 2026, is not exempt from property taxation if the property directly or indirectly owned by the nonprofit hospital is not being used for the performance of revenue producing health care services by the nonprofit hospital that directly or indirectly owns the property. Provides that the disallowance of an exemption does not apply to a parking garage, parking lot, equipment facility area, or any other similar property that actively serves a nonprofit hospital. Provides that a determination as to whether a parking garage, parking lot, equipment facility area, or any other similar property actively serves a nonprofit hospital shall be made by the board of zoning appeals with jurisdiction over the property.

Ben SmaltzRepublican

Various hospital matters.

Requires (rather than allows) the development of programs designed to increase Medicaid reimbursement. Specifies that the reimbursement rates for a state directed payment program must be at least the Medicare reimbursement rates. Requires the office of the secretary of family and social services to perform a reconciliation of the capitation attributable to the incremental hospital fee. Prohibits money in the incremental hospital fee fund from being used to fund Medicaid. Amends the permissible use of funds collected under the hospital assessment fee. Removes language that allowed the hospital assessment fee to be used to fund a state directed payment program that depended upon the collection of the managed care assessment fee. Changes the definition of "prices" concerning the hospital statewide average rate study and pricing (study). Amends the requirements to conduct the study and the date by which the study must be completed.

Brad BarrettRepublican

Massage establishment liability insurance.

Makes it a Class A misdemeanor if a person operates a massage establishment and knowingly or intentionally employs an individual who: (1) is providing massages; and (2) does not have certain professional liability insurance.

Robert HeatonRepublican

Release and sale of cemetery plots.

Provides that if a burial space in a cemetery: (1) has remained unused for a period of at least 100 years from the date of sale or last recorded designation or transfer; and (2) has no improvements on the burial space, including the placement of a monument, memorial, or other permanent appurtenance; the person or entity having jurisdiction over the cemetery may terminate the rights and interests of the owner of the burial space if certain conditions are met. Provides that in the case of a cemetery owned by a unit, any funds generated from the resale of a burial space shall be used to maintain the cemetery.

Edward ClereRepublican

Initial practitioner license.

Provides that certain teaching examinations are waived for an individual who is a graduate of a teacher preparation program, unless the individual fails to obtain a teaching license within three (3) years of graduation.

Robert MorrisRepublican

Eminent domain.

Requires the Indiana department of transportation (department) to make an original offer that is equal to 125% of the fair market value of a property when purchasing the property for a project. Provides that a person having an interest in a property that is damaged as a result of a public use is entitled to bring an inverse condemnation claim.

Shane LindauerRepublican

Use of telecommunications device while driving.

Provides that a person who knowingly or intentionally violates the statute prohibiting use of a telecommunications device while operating a moving motor vehicle commits a Level 5 felony if the violation is the proximate cause of serious bodily injury to another person.

Chris JeterRepublican

Involuntary substance use disorder treatment.

Allows an individual's spouse, legal guardian, friend, or relative to petition a court for involuntary substance use disorder treatment. Requires a petition to include certain information and allows a court to dismiss a petition, without prejudice, if it does not contain the required information. Requires the court to appoint a public defender if the individual subject to a petition seeking involuntary substance use disorder treatment is not represented by an attorney. Requires a court to order the individual to be evaluated by two medical providers, one of which must be a licensed physician, if the court finds that: (1) the individual has a substance use disorder; (2) because of the individual's substance use disorder, the individual is experiencing impaired judgment and is unable to independently maintain the individual's activities of daily living or is a danger to self or others; and (3) the individual refuses to voluntarily participate in substance use disorder treatment. Allows a court to order a local law enforcement agency to consider whether an individual meets the criteria for emergency detention under certain circumstances. Requires a medical provider who completes an evaluation concerning an individual's need for substance use disorder treatment to submit the evaluation to the court. Specifies that after receiving an evaluation from a medical provider, the court may dismiss the petition or set a hearing for further evidence to be presented about the individual's need for substance use disorder treatment. Requires a court to order involuntary substance use disorder treatment for a period of between 60 and 360 days if medical evidence supports that the individual requires immediate treatment for a substance use disorder and the individual has refused treatment. Requires the petitioner to pay all medical expenses that result from a respondent receiving court ordered involuntary substance use disorder treatment. Specifies that a respondent may be subject to contempt proceedings for a failure or refusal to comply with a court order issued in response to the petition for involuntary substance use disorder treatment.

Lindsay PattersonRepublican

Health care debt and duty to provide care.

Prohibits a health care provider from refusing to provide necessary care solely on the basis of health care debt owed or alleged to be owed by the consumer to the health care provider for health care services, products, or devices provided by the health care provider to the consumer or to a minor or an incapacitated individual who is under the responsibility of the consumer. Provides that a person that violates this prohibition commits a deceptive act that is actionable under the Indiana statute concerning deceptive consumer sales by the attorney general only.

Vanessa SummersDemocrat

Social service benefit kiosk pilot program.

Requires the division of family resources (division) of the office of the secretary of family and social services to establish a pilot program under which the division develops, deploys, and determines the effectiveness of electronic kiosks that allow an individual to do any of the following: (1) Determine the balance remaining in the individual's SNAP or TANF account. (2) Apply to the family and social services administration for a new EBT card. (3) Apply for SNAP or TANF benefits, subject to verification through in person communication with the division.

Vanessa SummersDemocrat

Hospice care.

Prohibits a health facility from including in a contract entered into, renewed, or amended after June 30, 2026, a provision prohibiting a person from transferring a resident to a different facility for hospice care.

Kyle MillerDemocrat

Abandoned local roadways.

Extinguishes certain easements and encumbrances on a vacated right-of-way.

Robert MorrisRepublican

Redevelopment tax credits.

Provides that $50,000,000 of the $300,000,000 of the Indiana economic development corporation's annual certifiable tax credit amount must be allocated to the small town opportunity initiative (initiative). Establishes the initiative. Provides that the purpose of the initiative is to undertake qualified community projects within local government units that have a project budget of at least $15,000,000 per project to do the following: (1) Advance historic preservation. (2) Redevelop or rehabilitate distressed buildings or underutilized property. (3) Redevelop or rehabilitate sites where distressed buildings once stood. Allows a redevelopment tax credit for: (1) a for-profit taxpayer undertaking a qualified community project under the initiative equal to 20% of the taxpayer's cost of the project; and (2) a nonprofit taxpayer undertaking a qualified community project under the initiative equal to 30% of the taxpayer's cost of the project. Provides that initiative projects are not subject to any statutory or administrative repayment obligation. Provides for certain items that are included in a nonprofit taxpayer's qualified investment.

Danny LopezRepublican

Agricultural programs.

Creates the pork market development program (pork program) and the soybean market development program (soybean program). Specifies that the pork program and soybean program apply only if assessments are not levied and collected under federal law. Requires the Indiana Pork Producers Association, Inc., to administer the pork program and the Indiana Soybean Alliance to administer the soybean program. Establishes various procedures and requirements for operating the pork program and the soybean program. Makes technical corrections.

Beau BairdRepublican

Ephedrine and pseudoephedrine products.

Requires the state police department (department) to oversee an electronic logging system (system) to: (1) record and monitor real time purchases of products containing ephedrine and pseudoephedrine; (2) monitor ephedrine and pseudoephedrine purchases to prevent or investigate the illegal purchase of ephedrine or pseudoephedrine; and (3) block illegal purchases of ephedrine and pseduoephedrine. Requires the department to contract with a third party vendor to operate the system. Requires each manufacturer of products that contain ephedrine and pseudoephedrine to demonstrate to the department that they have a valid contract with the vendor to provide electronic tracking of purchases in Indiana. Replaces "NPLEx system" references with "electronic logging system". Removes current restrictions on the sale of ephedrine and pseudoephedrine products to individuals who do not have a relationship on record with a pharmacy or have not completed a consultation with a pharmacy to determine if there is a legitimate medical or pharmaceutical need for the products.

Tony IsaRepublican

MEWA for child care facilities.

Allows a group or association of child care facilities to establish a multiple employer welfare arrangement (MEWA). Requires the department of insurance to: (1) create a survey requesting certain information from child care facilities; (2) facilitate communication between child care facilities that express an interest in establishing a MEWA; and (3) advise the child care facilities on best practices for lowering insurance costs. Requires the office of the secretary of family and social services to send a direct link to the survey by electronic mail to each child care facility.

Wendy Dant ChesserDemocrat

Employee childcare assistance partnership program.

Establishes the employee child care assistance partnership program. Makes an appropriation.

Wendy Dant ChesserDemocrat

Restrictions on location of tobacco and vaping shops.

Amends a provision to prohibit the operation of a tobacco and vaping business within 3,520 feet of certain school buildings. (Current law requires 1,000 feet.)

Wendy Dant ChesserDemocrat

First time home buyer savings program.

Establishes the first time home buyer savings program (program) for the purpose of assisting first time home buyers who seek to open a first time home buyer savings account (account) at a financial institution to save money for the purchase of a single family residence. Requires the Indiana housing and community development authority to administer the program, to prepare and supervise the issuance of public information concerning the program, and to prescribe various forms for use by financial institutions that choose to offer accounts. Specifies that: (1) money in an account (including all earnings or interest on an account) is exempt from taxation in Indiana; and (2) withdrawals from an account used for a down payment and allowable closing costs for the purchase of a single family residence; are exempt from state adjusted gross income taxation. Creates a state adjusted gross income tax credit for contributions to an account (credit) in an amount equal to the lesser of: (1) 20% multiplied by the amount of the total contributions made to the account during a taxable year; or (2) $5,000. Requires repayment of all or a part of the credit in a taxable year in which the taxpayer withdraws funds from an account for purposes other than payment of a down payment and allowable closing costs.

Wendy Dant ChesserDemocrat

Workplace violence restraining orders.

Provides that the chapter regarding the limitation on the issuance of injunctions for labor disputes does not apply to a case to obtain a workplace violence restraining order to protect an employee from unlawful violence or a credible threat of violence solely related to a dispute arising between two employees over their own personal controversy if the dispute does not involve claims governed by a collective bargaining agreement.

Wendy Dant ChesserDemocrat

Prescription drug assistance program for the elderly.

Establishes the prescription drug assistance program for the elderly (program) to be administered by the division of aging. Sets forth requirements of the program. Establishes the prescription drug assistance program for the elderly fund. Creates a Class A misdemeanor for fraud under the program.

Martin CarbaughRepublican

Contest based raffles.

Allows qualified organizations to conduct contest based raffles for charity gaming. Specifies the manner in which contest based raffles must be conducted. Provides that a sport horse competition may be used to determine the winners of a contest based raffle.

Mark GendaRepublican

Indiana bright start program and fund.

Establishes the Indiana bright start program (program) to support the early learning and child care needs of working families with eligible children. Provides that the office of the secretary of family and social services (office) shall develop and implement the program, and may contract with nonprofit corporations to facilitate the program. Establishes the Indiana bright start program fund. Requires the office, beginning October 1, 2027, to annually submit a report to the governor and legislative council with information concerning the program.

Alex BurtonDemocrat

Local regulation of no impact home based businesses.

Limits municipal regulation of a no impact home based business.

Robert MorrisRepublican

Domestic violence investigations.

Requires a law enforcement officer to administer a lethality assessment for domestic violence incidents. Requires data to be transmitted to a local domestic violence fatality review team and the statewide domestic violence fatality review committee. Provides that a law enforcement officer responding to the scene of an alleged crime involving domestic or family violence shall use all reasonable means to prevent further violence, including administering a lethality assessment. Provides that all statements communicated in a lethality assessment are not admissible as evidence against the victim in any judicial proceeding and not discoverable in any litigation. Provides that the statewide domestic violence fatality review committee shall collect and analyze data concerning domestic violence lethality assessments. Makes conforming changes.

Maureen BauerDemocrat

Obtaining copies of recorded documents.

Prohibits a person from using the person's own equipment to copy a recorded document. Specifies that a county recorder is required to charge the fees in the county recorder's statutes for copying documents.

Jennifer MeltzerRepublican

Penalties for certain sex offenses.

Defines "aggravated child molesting". Provides that the state may seek either a death sentence or a sentence of life imprisonment without parole for a person convicted of aggravated child molesting. Provides requirements for a jury or court to impose either a death sentence or a sentence of life imprisonment without parole. Makes conforming changes.

Andrew IrelandRepublican

Education matters.

Prohibits a school corporation, public school, governing body of a school corporation, or state educational institution from spending public funds to: (1) hire or contract with, for the purpose of lobbying a member of the general assembly, a person required to register as a lobbyist; or (2) pay a nonprofit association or organization that: (A) primarily represents school corporations, public schools, governing bodies, or state educational institutions; and (B) hires or contracts with a person required to register as a lobbyist. Provides that a taxpayer or resident of Indiana may bring a civil action for a violation of the prohibited conduct. Provides that a school corporation may not convert a scheduled instructional day to virtual instruction because of the planned or coordinated absence of teachers or other personnel for the purpose of participating in a protest, demonstration, or political advocacy event. Provides that a school corporation that violates this provision is subject to a reduction in state tuition support for each day of violation. Provides that a school employer may not deduct any dues, fee, assessment, or other sum of money from the wages or other earnings of an employee to hold for or pay to a school employee organization. Repeals provisions regarding certain deductions of dues from pay by school employers.

Andrew IrelandRepublican

Postconviction proceedings.

Establishes a procedure for postconviction relief.

Andrew IrelandRepublican

Township reorganization.

Provides that on January 1, 2028, certain townships are dissolved and their powers, duties, offices, and property are transferred to a municipality or county. Requires a township to adopt a resolution not later than June 1, 2026, that designates the municipality or county (designated unit) that will reorganize with the township. Requires the appointment of a joint board consisting of representatives of the township and the designated unit to prepare a plan of reorganization. Provides that a township must reorganize with the county if: (1) the township does not adopt a resolution by June 1, 2026; or (2) the municipality that the township designated in its resolution does not adopt a reorganization plan by December 31, 2026. Provides that if: (1) the designated unit is a municipality; and (2) part of a township is located outside the municipality; the municipality must establish an urban township services district and a rural township services district. Requires the county fiscal body to approve the budget, tax rate, and tax levy imposed by the municipality within the boundaries of the rural township services district. Provides that a designated unit has all of the powers of the government modernization act in reorganizing the township. Amends the government modernization act to require a political subdivision to respond to a resolution that names the political subdivision as a participant in a proposed reorganization. Provides that a township that operates a fire department is not subject to dissolution. Provides that a township does not operate a fire department if the township is a participating unit (not a provider unit) in a fire protection territory (territory) or is within a fire protection district (district). Provides that after a reorganization: (1) the area within the boundaries of the dissolved township remains in the territory or district; and (2) the designated unit succeeds the dissolved township in its role in the territory or district.

Alaina ShonkwilerRepublican

Child welfare provider protections.

Prohibits a governmental entity from discriminating against a person in adoption and foster care matters based on the person's sincerely held religious belief. Allows a person to sue a governmental entity for discriminating against the person and allows for certain remedies. Provides that there is a two year statute of limitation for a discrimination claim.

Robert HeatonRepublican

IURC and utility audits.

Provides that every three years, beginning in 2026, the state board of accounts shall conduct an audit of the funds, accounts, financial affairs, and all compliance related matters of the Indiana utility regulatory commission (IURC) for the state fiscal year ending in the year in which the audit is conducted. Provides that a report of an audit conducted under these provisions must be submitted to the executive director of the legislative services agency for distribution to members of the general assembly. Provides that the IURC: (1) may, with good cause, as part of an examination, inquiry, or investigation authorized by specified statutes conduct a forensic audit of a public utility; and (2) shall as part of a base rate case that is filed with or pending before the IURC after December 31, 2025, for a change in a public utility's basic rates and charges, conduct a forensic audit of the public utility. Authorizes the IURC to appoint: (1) an independent accounting firm; or (2) another qualified agent; with experience or expertise in conducting forensic audits to conduct a forensic audit under these provisions. Specifies the scope of a forensic audit under these provisions. Provides that upon the completion of a forensic audit, the IURC may do the following: (1) Issue an order directing the public utility to take actions to correct or cure certain acts or practices examined as part of the audit. (2) Refer any suspected criminal activities uncovered during the audit to an appropriate law enforcement agency or prosecutorial agency or official. Specifies how expenses incurred by the IURC or the IURC's agent in conducting a forensic audit under this section shall be charged and paid.

John BartlettDemocrat

Physical examinations in CHINS investigations.

Provides that if the department of child services (department) receives a report of known or suspected abuse of a child who is less than five years of age, a department caseworker: (1) shall physically examine the child's head, face, arms, legs, chest, and back for bruises or contusions; and (2) if the caseworker finds evidence of abuse, shall: (A) immediately take the child into custody; (B) cause color photographs to be taken of the areas of trauma visible on the child, unless a law enforcement agency is obligated to do so; (C) cause a medical examination of the child to be performed; and (D) if medically indicated, cause a radiological examination of the child to be performed. Provides that if the department receives a report of known or suspected abuse of a child who is not less than five years of age, the department may have a: (1) health screening; or (2) medical examination; of the child conducted. Provides that the department is responsible for the cost of the health screening or medical examination.

Carolyn JacksonDemocrat

Collection of toll road user fees.

Requires the Indiana department of transportation to establish and implement an electronic or nonmanual tolling program as the sole means for charging and collecting user fees. Provides that a public-private agreement between the Indiana finance authority and an operator that is entered into, renewed, or amended after June 30, 2026, must contain a provision requiring the operator to establish and implement an electronic or nonmanual tolling program as the sole means for charging and collecting user fees.

Carolyn JacksonDemocrat

Domestic violence reports.

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

Ragen HatcherDemocrat

Prohibition on use of certain food additives.

Prohibits the use of various food additives in Indiana.

Ragen HatcherDemocrat

Attorney eligibility for real estate broker exam.

Allows a licensed attorney to obtain a real estate broker license without completing an approved broker course of study.

Ragen HatcherDemocrat

Bail.

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

Ragen HatcherDemocrat

Consumer pricing information.

Provides that it is a deceptive consumer sales act to display or advertise a purchase price for the subject of a consumer transaction that does not include all fees and charges other than: (1) taxes or fees imposed on the purchase by a unit of government; or (2) reasonably expected shipping or handling charges; that are required to be paid by the consumer to complete the consumer transaction.

Ragen HatcherDemocrat

Indiana emergency efficiency and resilience task force.

Establishes the Indiana emergency efficiency and resilience task force (task force). Provides that the task force shall study certain topics related to disaster resilience. Requires the task force to submit a written report with specific findings and recommendations to the legislative council not later than December 1, 2026.

Beau BairdRepublican

Annexation.

Allows a town to annex: (1) a noncontiguous residential development; and (2) the right-of-way of a public highway connecting the development to the city. Provides that annexation is initiated by: (1) the filing of a petition requesting annexation by the owner of the residential development; and (2) the town legislative body adopting a resolution approving initiation of the annexation process. Requires the town to satisfy statutory requirements for annexation, including adopting a written fiscal plan and annexation ordinance.

David AbbottRepublican

Charges for hospital administered drugs.

Prohibits a hospital from billing for an administered drug an amount that exceeds the lesser of the following: (1) 120% of the Medicare reimbursement rate for the administered drug. (2) The amount the hospital bills for the administered drug on June 30, 2026. Creates an exception. Requires a hospital to update the Medicare reimbursement rate for an administered drug on January 1 and July 1 of each year.

Julie McGuireRepublican

Real property assessment.

Establishes the real property assessment task force (task force) to review issues related to real property assessment in Indiana. Sets forth membership, and requires the task force to issue a report to the general assembly not later than November 1, 2026. Adds representatives with certain categories of expertise to the real property assessment task force.

Edward ClereRepublican

Elimination of township assessors.

Abolishes the office of township assessor, in counties in which the office of township assessor has not already been abolished, if the county council and county commissioners unanimously vote to abolish the office and consolidate it with the office of the county assessor.

Timothy WescoRepublican

School scholarship tax credits.

Increases the percentage of the contribution allowed to be claimed for the school scholarship tax credit (tax credit) from 50% to 75%. Allows taxpayers that commit to making a contribution of at least the same amount for at least two consecutive years to claim the tax credit in an amount equal to 90% of the amount of the contribution. Increases the total amount of tax credits that may be awarded for a state fiscal year from $18,500,000 to $80,000,000. Provides a calculation for an annual increase of the total amount of tax credits for future state fiscal years based on the tax credit's usage. Expands the definition of "participating school" for purposes of the certification of scholarship granting organizations by removing language providing for accreditation and administration of tests under the statewide assessment program or other norm-referenced assessment of the school's students. Requires the receipt prescribed by the department of state revenue for use in an agreement to be a scholarship granting organization to include whether a taxpayer commits to making contributions of at least the same amount for at least two consecutive years.

Timothy WescoRepublican