Bills & Legislation

Conversion to Class 3 city status.

Provides that if the population of a second class city is reported by two consecutive federal decennial censuses (census) as having a population of less than 31,500, the city becomes a third class city on January 1: (1) of the calendar year following the next municipal election held after the most recent census; or (2) of the calendar year following the second municipal election held after the most recent census, if the effective date of the most recent census and the municipal election are in the same calendar year. Provides that if a city's population is less than 31,500 in the 2010 and 2020 censuses, the city becomes a third class city on January 1, 2027. Provides that the population of the second class city is calculated by subtracting the portion of the population of the city consisting of prison inmates from the population of the city reported by the federal decennial census.

Mike BohacekRepublican

Nonjurisdictional 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.

Eric KochRepublican

Settlements under the tort claims act.

Requires a court to specify how much of a settlement must be allocated against the tort claim act liability cap when: (1) the cap applies to two or more defendants; (2) one, but not all, of the defendants settle the case; and (3) the defendants have not agreed on the allocation of the claim.

Rodney PolDemocrat

Preventive detention and presumptive release.

Provides that a trial court may not release on bail a defendant if the state proves by clear and convincing evidence that a defendant poses a substantial risk and the proof is evident or the presumption strong. Establishes a procedure for the state to petition the trial court for a determination that a defendant poses a substantial risk. Provides that for an arrestee whose most serious pending charge is a misdemeanor or a Level 6 felony, the arrestee is presumptively entitled to release without money bail or surety. Provides that an arrestee is not presumptively entitled to release without money bail or surety if certain conditions apply.

Rodney PolDemocrat

Cultural commissions.

Changes the membership of the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Indiana holiday commission. Reduces the number of members serving on the following cultural commissions: (1) The Indiana commission on Hispanic/Latino affairs. (2) The Indiana commission on the social status of black males. Makes changes concerning the meeting, voting, reporting, staffing, and funding requirements of the cultural commissions. Provides that money appropriated to the civil rights commission for the cultural commissions does not revert to the state general fund. Establishes the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Indiana holiday commission special fund. Makes appropriations.

Greg TaylorDemocrat

Information and disclosures concerning radon.

Establishes that, before signing a purchase agreement to sell or transfer residential property, an individual or entity issued a broker's real estate license by the Indiana real estate commission representing a seller shall ensure that the seller: (1) provides a radon warning statement to the buyer; (2) discloses in writing to the buyer any knowledge the seller has of radon concentrations in the dwelling; and (3) provides the buyer with a guide on radon, testing, and mitigation published by the Indiana department of health.

Greg TaylorDemocrat

Child and dependent care tax credit.

Provides a refundable child and dependent care tax credit to taxpayers whose adjusted gross income for the taxable year is not more than 250% of the federal poverty level. Provides that the credit is equal to the lesser of: (1) an amount ranging from $200 to $1,000, depending on the extent to which the taxpayer's adjusted gross income exceeds the federal poverty level; or (2) 20% of the taxpayer's employment related expenses.

Greg TaylorDemocrat

Adjusted gross income tax filing requirement.

Provides that minimum wage income is exempt from the adjusted gross income tax. Defines "minimum wage income". Provides that an individual whose only source of income is minimum wage income is not required to file a state income tax return. Provides that an employer is not required to withhold taxes from minimum wage income paid to an employee.

James BuckRepublican

Medicaid study.

Requires the office of the secretary of family and social services and the legislative services agency to conduct a feasibility study of transitioning Indiana's Medicaid program administration to a nonprofit health insurance entity. Sets forth parameters of the study.

Fady QaddouraDemocrat

Landlord-tenant matters.

Provides that a landlord may not sell a residential rental property that is subject to an unexpired written lease unless the landlord gives written notice to the tenant not less than 60 days before the landlord lists the property for sale, unless certain exceptions apply. Requires a buyer of a residential rental property to honor an unexpired written lease between the previous owner and a tenant unless the buyer of the residential rental property: (1) gives to the tenant, not less than 30 days before the lease is terminated, written notice that the buyer intends to terminate the lease; and (2) pays the tenant an amount equal to one monthly rental payment plus the full security deposit. For purposes of a residential rental unit, defines: (1) "essential services" as certain utility services needed for the safe and habitable occupation by a tenant of the tenant's rental unit; and (2) "essential systems" as certain systems used to deliver essential services to a rental unit. Requires a landlord to repair or replace an essential system not later than 48 hours after being notified by a tenant that the tenant's rental unit is without essential services as a result of: (1) a malfunction in the essential system; or (2) the landlord's failure to maintain the system in good and safe working condition. Provides that a tenant may enforce a statutory obligation of a landlord by: (1) providing 30 days notice to the landlord of the landlord's noncompliance with the obligation; and (2) if the landlord fails to make the repairs necessary to remedy the noncompliance, withholding from the next regular rental payment the estimated cost of the repairs and using the amount withheld to make the repairs. Provides that, during the pendency of a court action brought by a tenant to enforce a statutory obligation of a landlord, the court may order the tenant to make the regular rental payments otherwise due to the landlord under the rental agreement to: (1) the clerk of the court; or (2) an attorney trust account; to be held in trust for disbursal to the prevailing party, as ordered by the court.

David NiezgodskiDemocrat

Health care service provider employees.

Requires a home health agency or personal services agency to run a criminal background check on certain employees on an annual basis. Increases the judgment against a home health agency or personal services agency when an employee who has been convicted of a crime prohibiting the individual's employment by the home health agency or personal services agency provides care that results in the death of a patient or client.

Greg GoodeRepublican

Critical infrastructure.

Provides, for purposes of criminal statutes regarding offenses involving critical infrastructure, that a communications services facility includes wires and equipment used to provide communications service to a customer.

Mike BohacekRepublican

Sale of bureau of motor vehicles information.

Prohibits the bureau of motor vehicles (BMV) from selling the personal information of an individual who: (1) is less than 21 years of age; (2) is 65 years of age or older; or (3) opts out of the sale of the individual's personal information. Prohibits a person to which the BMV provides such information from selling or disclosing the information (sales prohibition). Requires the BMV to provide an easily understandable and easily accessible means by which an individual may opt out of the sale of the individual's personal information. Permits the state board of finance, upon approval by the governor, to transfer funds to the BMV to offset a shortfall in funding for the BMV that occurs in a state fiscal year beginning before July 1, 2027, as a result of the sales prohibition.

Rodney PolDemocrat

Unlawful possession of a firearm by a child.

Adds felony unlawful possession of a firearm by a child to the list of crimes for which a juvenile court shall, upon motion of the prosecuting attorney, waive jurisdiction under certain circumstances. Removes certain crimes concerning children and firearms from the list of crimes in which a juvenile court does not have jurisdiction for an alleged violation. Removes language in the unlawful carrying of a handgun statute prohibiting a person less than 18 years of age from carrying a handgun. Provides that the unlawful carrying of a handgun statute applies to a person who has been adjudicated as a delinquent child under the statute, and is at least 18 years of age but less than 23 years of age. Renames the "dangerous possession of a firearm" crime to "unlawful possession of a firearm by a child" and provides that the enhanced penalty applies if the offense was committed: (1) on or in school property; (2) within 500 feet of school property; or (3) on a school bus. Removes the reckless mens rea for unlawful possession of a firearm by a child. Makes technical changes.

Greg TaylorDemocrat

Microtransit pilot program.

Establishes the microtransit pilot program for the purpose of providing microtransit services to residents of eligible counties.

La Keisha JacksonDemocrat

Food desert grant program.

Establishes the food desert grant program (program) within the Indiana department of health (ISDH) to assist new and existing retail businesses or nonprofit corporations in offering fresh and unprocessed foods within a "food desert" (an underserved geographic area where, as determined by the ISDH, affordable fresh, unprocessed, and healthy foods are difficult to obtain). Provides that a grant awarded under the program may be used to establish a new retail grocery store or to renovate, expand, or upgrade an existing retail business that will increase the availability and quality of fresh produce and other unprocessed and healthy foods. Requires the ISDH to consider certain criteria when determining whether to award a grant and requires the recipient of a grant to abide by certain terms and conditions. Establishes the food desert fund for purposes of awarding grants under the program. Requires the ISDH to report on the program annually to the general assembly. Makes an appropriation.

La Keisha JacksonDemocrat

Whole home repairs program.

Establishes the whole home repairs program to provide funding to eligible entities to: (1) award grants to local homeowners; and (2) make loans available for small landlords offering affordable units for rent; for certain home repairs.

Greg TaylorDemocrat

Landlord-tenant matters.

Provides that, upon the request of a prospective tenant, a landlord must provide the prospective tenant with a written explanation of the landlord's reasons for denying the tenant's rental application. Requires a landlord to disclose the amount of a rental application fee in a listing advertising a rental unit as available for rent. Provides that a landlord may not charge a tenant a fee, fine, assessment, interest, or any other cost: (1) that is not stated in the rental agreement; or (2) in an amount greater than the amount stated in the rental agreement. Requires a landlord to return any excess amount to a tenant when the amount the tenant pays for a fee is greater than the actual cost to the landlord. Requires a landlord to provide a receipt of the landlord's expense of fees paid by a tenant upon the request of the tenant.

Rodney PolDemocrat

Newborn tax credit.

Amends the definition of adjusted gross income to remove the additional dependent child exemption of $1,500 in the first taxable year in which an allowed child is claimed. Establishes a refundable tax credit for newborn children, which an eligible taxpayer may claim only in the first taxable year in which a particular newborn child is eligible for the exemption allowed under specified provisions of the Internal Revenue Code. Defines "eligible taxpayer". Provides that the amount of the credit is $500 per newborn child, or $250 per eligible newborn child in the case of a married individual filing a separate return. Prorates the credit in the case of a resident taxpayer residing in Indiana for a period of less than the taxpayer's entire taxable year.

Greg TaylorDemocrat

Real world and finance curriculum grant funds.

Establishes the real world readiness grant program (program) to provide grants to eligible schools to better prepare students for life after graduation with or without the assistance of a partnering organization. Establishes the real world readiness fund (fund). Provides a procedure for eligible schools to apply to the department of education (department) to receive a grant from the fund. Requires the department to approve organizations that may partner with an eligible school to facilitate the program. Establishes the personal financial responsibility curriculum grant program to provide grants to eligible schools to develop or adopt personal financial responsibility curriculum. Establishes the personal financial responsibility curriculum fund (financial responsibility fund). Requires the department to establish guidelines: (1) an external organization must meet to be eligible to partner with an eligible applicant; and (2) to award grants to eligible applicants. Requires applicants that receive a grant from the financial responsibility fund to report student outcomes to the department, as developed by the department.

Stacey DonatoRepublican

Semiquincentennial commission.

Changes the membership of the semiquincentennial commission (commission). Requires the department of natural resources to provide staff support to the commission beginning June 1, 2025. Designates Indiana's United States Senators as honorary co-chairpersons of the commission. Establishes the semiquincentennial advisory committee to advise the commission on carrying out the commission's duties. Repeals the statute specifying the duties of the commission under current law. Specifies that the commission's duties are to do the following: (1) Plan, develop, and conduct at least one event in each Indiana state park before June 30, 2027, in commemoration of the semiquincentennial. (2) Promote programs developed by state agencies, municipalities, school corporations, and Indiana's colleges and universities that commemorate the semiquincentennial. Makes conforming changes. Extends the commission law until July 1, 2027. Makes an appropriation.

Greg GoodeRepublican

Thirteenth check.

Provides for a thirteenth check for certain members, participants, or beneficiaries of the: (1) Indiana state teachers' retirement fund; (2) Indiana public employees' retirement fund; (3) state excise police, gaming agent, gaming control officer, and conservation enforcement officers' retirement plan; (4) state police pre-1987 benefit system; and (5) state police 1987 benefit system. Provides for a $50 payment to members of the Indiana state teachers' retirement fund and Indiana public employees' retirement fund, and to participants of the state excise police, gaming agent, gaming control officer, and conservation enforcement officers' retirement plan.

David NiezgodskiDemocrat

Library governance.

Eliminates the authority of public libraries to impose an ad valorem property tax as a "taxing unit". Requires a public library to prepare and submit a recommended annual budget to the fiscal body of the county in which the territory of the public library is located to provide the revenues necessary for the operation and maintenance of the public library by a special tax levy, a specific appropriation, or both. Provides that a special tax levy for public library purposes is included in the calculation of the maximum permissible property tax levy for the county.

Gary ByrneRepublican

Vehicle Bill.

None

Shelli YoderDemocrat

Waiving requirements for accredited schools.

Requires (instead of allows) the state board of education (state board) to approve an application to waive compliance with certain provisions requested by a school or group of schools under the performance based accreditation law. Requires the state board to do the following: (1) Review each compliance waiver request at least once every three years (instead of periodically). (2) Suspend or revoke a compliance waiver if the state board determines that the school or group of schools has not demonstrated an improvement in student academic performance.

Brian BuchananRepublican

Indiana economic development corporation.

Allows the fiscal body of a county, city, or town to adopt an ordinance to require the Indiana economic development corporation (corporation) to make payments in lieu of taxes (PILOTS) with respect to real property that satisfies each of the following conditions: (1) The corporation is the owner of any real property that is exempt from property taxes. (2) The corporation has been the owner of such real property for at least one year on the date that an ordinance is adopted. Specifies that the assessed value of the real property subject to PILOTS is equal to the assessed value of the real property on the assessment date of the calendar year in which the corporation purchased the real property while the ordinance is in effect. 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. Continuously appropriates from the state general fund the amount necessary for the corporation to pay the required PILOTS.

Brian BuchananRepublican

Medical cannabis.

After marijuana is removed as a federal schedule I controlled substance, permits the use of medical cannabis by a person with a serious medical condition if certified by the person's physician and establishes a procedure for the production and distribution of medical cannabis. Makes conforming amendments.

Michael YoungRepublican

Address registry for unlawful aliens.

Requires an unlawful alien to register with the local law enforcement authority in the alien's county of residence. Makes failure to register a Class A misdemeanor, and increases the penalty to a Level 6 felony for a second or subsequent offense.

Michael YoungRepublican

Property tax revenue shared with charter schools.

Removes and repeals provisions that require school corporations located in certain counties to share operations fund property tax levy, operating referendum tax levy, and school safety referendum tax levy funds with charter schools. Makes conforming changes.

Mark SpencerDemocrat

Teacher retention grant program.

Creates the teacher retention grant (grant). Provides that certain schools qualify for a grant if one or more licensed teachers employed by the school or directly providing virtual education were rated as effective or highly effective. Requires certain schools to create and submit policies to the department of education (department) in order to receive a grant. Provides that the amount of a grant is equal to $37.50 multiplied by a school's current ADM. Provides that the department shall distribute the grant in accordance with the following priorities: (1) to the extent possible, to achieve geographic balance throughout Indiana and to include urban, suburban, and rural schools; and (2) to address a documented need for teacher retention grants based on a low teacher retention rate as determined by the department. Makes conforming changes treating teacher retention grants in the same manner as teacher appreciation grants.

Mark SpencerDemocrat

Insulin price cap.

Requires an insurer to cap the total amount an insured is required to pay for a 30 day supply of prescription insulin drugs at an amount not to exceed $35, regardless of the number of prescriptions and different types of insulin prescribed and filled during that period.

Mark SpencerDemocrat

School air quality study.

Requires the Indiana department of health to conduct an air quality study of every school located in Indiana.

Mark SpencerDemocrat

Choice scholarships.

Specifies certain conditions applying to the state board of accounts audit of a choice scholarship school. Requires a school that enrolls choice scholarship students to hold at least one public meeting each semester concerning the receipt and expenditure of choice scholarship funds. Provides that public comment must be allowed at the meeting. Specifies annual reporting requirements for schools that enroll choice scholarship students.

Shelli YoderDemocrat

Chronic absenteeism.

Requires the department of education (department) to: (1) study and make recommendations concerning the categorization of student absences; (2) create a list of best practices to reduce student discipline related to student absenteeism and the number of chronically absent students; (3) develop guidelines and requirements for certain intervention strategies and school attendance improvement plans; (4) submit a report concerning attendance to the legislative council; and (5) develop attendance improvement targets for certain schools. Requires a school to implement an early warning system and assemble a school based team to monitor the system. Provides the duties and obligations of a school attendance coordinator and a child study team. Requires the governing authority of a school to adopt an attendance policy and develop an attendance improvement plan aligned with department guidelines and requirements. Requires a school to collect and document certain information concerning absences.

Shelli YoderDemocrat

Intimidation.

Provides that intimidation is a Level 6 felony if the subject of the threat is a public school, a state accredited nonpublic school, or a charter school.

Andy Zay

Rural communities.

Establishes the saving rural Indiana program (program) for the purpose of building additional local capacity allowing innovative communities to create solutions for challenges facing rural Indiana. Establishes the saving rural Indiana matching grant fund to carry out the purpose of the program.

Andy Zay

Residential landlord-tenant matters.

Provides that the court may appoint a receiver upon request by a county, city, or town when the property owner of a multifamily residential property with more than four dwelling units has failed to pay damages, costs, or attorney's fees that have been incurred by the multifamily residential property in a nuisance action brought by the county, city, or town. Allows a city, county, or town to bring a nuisance action against a tenant or other person responsible for a nuisance. Defines "essential services" as certain services needed for the safe and habitable occupation by a tenant of the tenant's rental unit. Defines "essential systems" as certain systems used to deliver essential services to a rental unit. Requires a landlord to provide and maintain a rental premises that is free from the following: (1) Pests, including rodents and invasive insects. (2) Mold. (3) Rot. Sets forth a procedure for a tenant to use to initiate a request for repairs. Requires a landlord to repair or replace an essential system not later than 72 hours after being notified by a tenant that the tenant's rental unit is without essential services under certain circumstances. Allows for certain remedies to the tenant for the landlord's noncompliance, including a procedure for the deposit of rent that is due with the clerk of the court if the landlord fails or refuses to make repairs or take remedial action. Provides that, during the pendency of a court action brought by a tenant, the court may order the tenant to make the regular rental payments otherwise due under the rental agreement to the clerk of the court or an attorney trust account, to be held in trust for disbursal to the prevailing party, as ordered by the court. Requires a clerk to collect a $30 fee from the landlord if the court finds that an escrow account is needed for the regular rental payments held by the clerk of the court. Provides that a landlord may apply for release of rent deposits. Provides that, after June 30, 2025, a landlord may not manage a rental property in Indiana unless the landlord: (1) is authorized to do business in Indiana; (2) maintains an office at one or more physical locations in Indiana; or (3) appoints an Indiana licensed real estate broker or broker company to manage the rental property. Makes conforming changes.

Greg WalkerRepublican

Local public questions.

Makes certain changes to the language for the public question required for a controlled project referendum, school operating levy referendum, and school safety referendum. Makes corresponding changes. Makes technical corrections.

Greg WalkerRepublican

Taxation of fuel.

Provides that the gasoline license tax and the special fuel license tax must be imposed at the rate in effect on June 30 of the prior state fiscal year multiplied by the lesser of: (1) the statutory index factor; or (2) 1.02. Provides that the gasoline use tax rate shall be the lesser of the amount as computed under current law or the gasoline use tax rate on June 30 of the prior state fiscal year multiplied by 1.02. Repeals an expired subsection.

Michael YoungRepublican

Masks at public assemblies.

Makes wearing a mask at a public assembly a Class C misdemeanor, and increases the penalty to a Class A misdemeanor for a second or subsequent offense. Increases the penalty for rioting and disorderly conduct to a Level 6 felony if the offense is committed while wearing a mask.

Gary ByrneRepublican

Indiana grown produce for students program.

Establishes the Indiana grown produce for students program (program) to improve the nutrition and eating habits for children through the school setting while investing in the state's agricultural and related food business economy. Establishes the Indiana grown produce for students fund (fund) to provide grants to eligible schools for the reimbursement of certain expenses. Provides that an eligible school may receive a total grant amount based on the number of meals served by the eligible school during the previous school year. Requires the department of education to: (1) develop guidelines to award grants from the fund; (2) work in collaboration with the Indiana state department of agriculture to assist eligible schools in sourcing Indiana grown produce for the purposes of the program; and (3) submit an annual report concerning the program to the legislative council.

Shelli YoderDemocrat

Vehicle Bill.

None

Shelli YoderDemocrat

Vehicle Bill.

None

Shelli YoderDemocrat

Vehicle Bill.

None

Shelli YoderDemocrat

Security cameras at child care centers.

Requires a child care center to: (1) be equipped with cameras in sufficient number and location to allow visual monitoring of every space inside the child care center, with the exception of adult bathrooms, that can reasonably be expected to be occupied by children; and (2) provide notice to parents that children are subject to video monitoring inside the child care center. Requires a child care center to record footage captured by the child care center's cameras and retain the footage for 90 days, unless: (1) the child care center receives notice of a suspected crime committed against a child at the child care center, in which case the child care center must retain all footage until the investigation of the suspected crime is complete; or (2) the child care center receives a request from a parent to view the footage, in which case the child care center must retain all footage until the parent has had an opportunity to view the footage. Allows a parent of a child who has reason to believe that a crime was committed against the parent's child at a child care center to view the footage recorded by the child care center. Requires an individual to report suspected child abuse and neglect witnessed by the individual on a child care center's camera footage.

Michael YoungRepublican

Homestead exemption for persons at least age 65.

Eliminates property taxes on primary residences for those who are at least 65 years of age (qualified homesteads) beginning with the assessment date on January 1 of the year that immediately succeeds the year in which the balance in the pension stabilization fund is sufficient to pay the liabilities of the pre-1996 account without the need for further appropriation by the general assembly. Requires the Indiana public retirement system to determine whether the balance of the pension stabilization fund is sufficient to pay the liabilities of the pre-1996 account without the need for an appropriation by the general assembly and certify the determination to the budget committee on or before March 1, 2026, and on or before March 1 of each odd-numbered year thereafter. Provides an annual state distribution to offset the property tax elimination for qualified homesteads based on the amount of property taxes that otherwise would be due on the qualified homesteads. Makes an ongoing appropriation.

Michael YoungRepublican

Victims of bullying.

Amends the definition of "eligible student" for purposes of eligibility under the Indiana education scholarship account program. Requires a school to provide certain victims of bullying with the option to finish the semester by means of virtual instruction or remote learning. Makes conforming changes.

David NiezgodskiDemocrat