Prepared by: Caryl Auslander
E-mail: causlander@torchbearerIN.com
Report created on December 4, 2024
 
HB1001EDUCATION AND HIGHER EDUCATION MATTERS. (GOODRICH C) Amends the definition of "eligible student" to include a sibling of a student with a disability with regards to the education scholarship account program (ESA). Provides that the sibling may not use the ESA account for certain ESA qualified expenses. Provides that an annual grant amount awarded under the career scholarship account (CSA) program may be used for costs related to obtaining a driver's license if certain conditions are met. Establishes conditions regarding the amount of funds that may be used from CSA annual grant amounts for transportation costs. Amends certain requirements regarding ESA and CSA participating entities regarding providing evidence of unencumbered assets. Changes certain CSA application time frames from seven days to 30 days. Requires each state educational institution to provide to the commission for higher education (commission) certain information regarding degrees, degree completion, faculty members, administrative support staff, costs, compensation, and debt loads. Requires the commission to prepare longitudinal analysis regarding certain data. Requires each private postsecondary educational institution and each out-of-state public and nonprofit degree granting institution that offers instructional or educational services or training in Indiana to provide to the department of education information to carry out certain reporting requirements and requirements related to the Indiana Graduates Prepared to Succeed dashboard. Allows for the revocation of an out-of-state public or nonprofit degree granting institution's authorization if the institution fails to provide the information. Adds teaching to the employment sectors eligible for the next level jobs employer training grant program. Amends requirements regarding: (1) eligibility for career coaching grants; and (2) instruction on career awareness.
 Current Status:   4/3/2024 - Public Law 127
 State Bill Page:   HB1001
 
HB1067HUMAN SERVICES MATTERS. (CLERE E) Establishes the special service review team to review denied applications and applications for which a determination has not been made for the community integration and habilitation waiver. Limits the geographical area of review. Establishes reporting requirements. Requires the division of disability and rehabilitative services to obtain consent from a waiver applicant in order to share the application and information accompanying the application with the review team. Provides immunity for an employee who obtains consent and provides the information in good faith. Provides that the review team expires December 31, 2026. Makes changes to the situations in which an emergency placement priority may be provided for individuals under a Medicaid waiver. Amends the membership of and provisions concerning: (1) the Indiana state commission on aging; and (2) the community and home options to institutional care for the elderly and disabled board. Requires the services for individuals with intellectual and other developmental disabilities task force (task force) to establish, not later than May 1, 2024, a subcommittee to make recommendations to the task force regarding the Medicaid buy-in program and benefit related barriers to employment for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Requires the subcommittee to prepare and submit recommendations to the task force. Changes the expiration date of the task force. Requires the division of disability and rehabilitative services to provide quarterly updates to the division of disability and rehabilitative services advisory council regarding the implementation of recommendations made by the task force. Authorizes the office of the secretary of family and social services (office of the secretary) to implement a risk based managed care program for certain Medicaid recipients. Requires the office of Medicaid policy and planning to convene a workgroup and, with managed care organizations, to conduct a claims submission testing period before the risk based managed care program is established. Provides that, during the first 210 days after the risk based managed care program is implemented, a provider that experiences a financial emergency due to claims payment issues shall receive temporary emergency assistance from the managed care organizations with which the provider is contracted. Requires the office of the secretary and the division of mental health and addiction to include each community mental health center that meets certain requirements in the community mental health services demonstration program (program), if Indiana is approved to participate in the program and as a state plan amendment for specified reimbursement after the program. Allows the office of the secretary and the division of mental health and addiction to apply for a Medicaid state plan amendment or waiver to allow for Medicaid reimbursement for eligible certified community behavioral health clinic services by certain Medicaid providers, if Indiana is not approved to participate in the program.
 Current Status:   4/3/2024 - Public Law 131
 State Bill Page:   HB1067
 
HB1070MENTAL HEALTH GRANTS. (CASH B) Allows the division of mental health and addiction to award mental health grants to for-profit community mental health organizations if a nonprofit organization does not qualify for the grant.
 Current Status:   4/3/2024 - Public Law 48
 State Bill Page:   HB1070
 
HB1093EMPLOYMENT OF MINORS. (CULP K) Provides certain exemptions from the employment of minors law. Repeals a provision concerning conditions for the employment of a minor as a performer. Provides exemptions from certain hour and time restrictions for the employment of a minor who is at least 14 years of age and less than 16 years of age. Removes language providing that a minor who is at least 14 years of age and less than 16 years of age may only work until 7 p.m. on a day that precedes a school day from June 1 through Labor Day. Repeals provisions concerning hour and time restrictions for the employment of a minor who is at least 16 years of age and less than 18 years of age. Specifies that the prohibition on a minor from working in a hazardous occupation does not apply to a minor who is at least 16 years of age and less than 18 years of age who is employed in agriculture. Repeals a provision concerning restrictions on an employer who employs a minor to work after 10 p.m. and before 6 a.m. Makes corresponding changes.
 Current Status:   4/3/2024 - Public Law 133
 State Bill Page:   HB1093
 
HB1102CHILD CARE. (HEINE D) Revises the definition of "child care home". Limits the number of children under twelve months of age that may be provided care in a child care home. Provides that certain child care programs are exempt from licensure. Amends certain licensing requirements for a class II child care home and a child care center. Provides that certain child care providers are eligible for voucher payments. Allows certain child care programs at schools to provide services to business employees' children when the business enters into a contract with the school and certain conditions are met.
 Current Status:   4/3/2024 - Public Law 134
 State Bill Page:   HB1102
 
HB1108DEVELOPMENT RESTRICTIONS ON SLOPES. (HALL D) Prohibits a unit from preventing development exclusively on the basis of slope, if the predevelopment slope of the site is less than 25%, unless the site is within a watershed area of a reservoir that is a source of a municipality's drinking water.
 Current Status:   4/3/2024 - Public Law 52
 State Bill Page:   HB1108
 
HB1120STATE AND LOCAL ADMINISTRATION. (THOMPSON J) Increases the assessed value limit for the disabled veteran property tax deduction from $200,000 to $240,000. Allows that, for purposes of various property tax deductions, an individual has until January 15 of a calendar year in which property taxes are first due and payable to complete, date, and file the required certified statement with the county auditor. Extends through 2025 the expiration of 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. Specifies that a political subdivision's total debt service tax rate does not include a tax rate approved by voters for a referendum debt service tax levy. Extends the current cap on operating referendum tax that may be levied by a school corporation to taxes due and payable in 2025, and provides a formula to determine the cap for that year. Reestablishes, and enumerates requirements and procedures for, a petition and remonstrance and a referendum for controlled projects funded by debt service if the project scope changes from the purpose initially advertised to taxpayers. Adds trailer provisions pertaining to SEA 228-2024 regarding alcoholic beverage taxes on liquor, wine, and hard cider. Requires the state fair commission to approve future dates of the state fair and the state fair board to advise the commission on future dates of the state fair. Provides that a state employee may affirmatively elect to enroll in the deferred compensation plan prior to the auto enroll date on day 31 of the state employee's employment. Requires, effective July 1, 2025, the trustee of the state police pension trust to maintain a supplemental allowance reserve account for the purpose of paying postretirement benefit adjustments. Requires certain political subdivisions to present to the interim study committee on pension management oversight concerning a delinquent employee retirement plan offered by the political subdivision. Increases the maximum date that a member or participant of certain retirement funds can participate in the deferred retirement option plan from 36 to 60 months. Removes a reference in current law to outstanding bonds for which a fee replacement appropriation was made in a provision prohibiting a state educational institution from issuing bonds for refunding or advance refunding of outstanding bonds without approval of the budget agency and the board of trustees of the issuing state educational institution making certain findings. Provides that grant awards authorized in the 2023 budget bill and awarded after December 31, 2024, for regional mental health facility grants to counties for use in constructing new facilities or renovating existing facilities to provide mental health services for certain incarcerated individuals may not exceed $5,000,000 per county (instead of $2,500,000 per county). Prohibits a unit from entering into a sister city or cooperative agreement with a city, town, province, county, school, college, or university located in a foreign adversary. Provides parameters for the northwestern Indiana regional planning commission, beginning with calendar year 2025 and for each year thereafter through calendar year 2029, to annually adjust each participating county's portion of the budget. Authorizes the office of the secretary of family and social services (office of the secretary) to implement a risk based managed care program for certain Medicaid recipients. Requires the office of Medicaid policy and planning to convene a workgroup and, with managed care organizations, to conduct a claims submission testing period before the risk based managed care program is established. Authorizes the establishment of home health agency cooperative agreements and provides for the expiration of those provisions on June 30, 2027. (A similar law enacted in 2022 expired on July 1, 2023.) Specifies that a home health agency may contract directly or indirectly through a network of home health agencies. Provides that distributions for curricular materials may not be considered for purposes of determining whether a school corporation met the requirement to expend a minimum amount of state tuition support for teacher compensation. Repeals the requirement that each school maintained by a school corporation and each charter school establish a curricular materials account. Requires a public school to deposit distributions for curricular materials in: (1) the education fund of the school corporation that maintains the school; or (2) the fund in which a charter school receives state tuition support. Adds a provision to allow a redevelopment commission to expend revenues from its allocation fund that are allocated for police and fire services on both capital expenditures and operating expenses as authorized in the 2023 session in HB 1454. Provides that, if a township transitions from a single township firefighting and emergency services fund to two separate funds as authorized under current law, the township legislative body must approve a transfer of the remaining cash balance from the single fund to the two new separate funds and determine the amounts attributable to each fund. Requires the office of the secretary to present to the Medicaid oversight committee a detailed plan for monitoring expenses of the complete Medicaid program. Requires the office of the secretary to present to the budget committee a policy to set a required minimum percentage of the reimbursement for personal care services under the home and community-based services waivers that must be paid to the individual providing the direct service. Provides that, if the county fiscal body of Howard County makes certain findings, the Howard County fiscal body may adopt an ordinance that would impose the innkeeper's tax on a person engaged in the business of renting or furnishing rooms, lodgings, or accommodations located within an inn, a hotel, or a motel for a period of more than 30 days. (Current law limits the imposition of the innkeeper's tax to renting or furnishing rooms, lodgings, or accommodations for periods of less than 30 days.) Provides that an ordinance would not apply to existing rooms, lodgings, or accommodations that were not subject to the 30 day threshold prior to January 1, 2024. Provides that an ordinance may not become effective until after April 30, 2024, and must expire before July 1, 2025. Requires the county fiscal body, if an ordinance is adopted, to reduce the tax for any person subject to the innkeeper's tax from 8% (current law) to 6% until the ordinance expires. Allows the county fiscal body to return the tax rate to 8% after the ordinance expires. Reinstates a provision that was repealed in SEA 325-2023 (P.L.182-2023) that includes as a "homestead" property that is an individual's principal place of residence, is located in Indiana, and is owned by an entity, if the individual is a shareholder, partner, or member of the entity that owns the property. Amends a redevelopment commission provision defining "residential property" to apply to allocation areas established after June 30, 2025 (rather than June 30, 2024). Amends certain language in provisions in HEA 1199-2024. Makes amending changes to the Grant County local income tax special purpose rate added in HEA 1121-2024. Requires the state and local tax review task force to stud
 Current Status:   4/3/2024 - Public Law 136
 State Bill Page:   HB1120
 
HB1121LOCAL INCOME TAXES. (THOMPSON J) Extends the expiration of provisions concerning a county with a single voting bloc and the allocation of votes for a local income tax council. Specifies the amount of revenue from a local income tax rate imposed for correctional facilities and rehabilitation facilities in a county that may be used for operating expenses of those facilities. Allows a county fiscal body to adopt a local income tax rate for an acute care hospital located in the county to be used only for the operating expenses of the acute care hospital. Provides that, for the purpose of distributing the local income tax (LIT), if two or more school corporations or civil taxing units merge or consolidate to form a single school corporation or civil taxing unit, the school corporation or civil taxing unit is entitled to the combined pro rata distribution of the LIT revenue allocated to each applicable school corporation or civil taxing unit in existence on January 1 of the immediately preceding calendar year prior to the merger or consolidation. Provides that the department of local government finance shall make certain adjustments pertaining to the distribution of LIT for Floyd County in 2025, which provide that the Highlander Fire Protection District (district) shall receive an amount equal to the combined distribution that would have been distributed to the Greenville Fire Protection District (FPD) and the Lafayette Fire Protection District (FPD) in 2024, but for their elimination resulting from the merger to establish the district. Requires corresponding adjustments in 2025 to reduce the distribution for each applicable civil taxing unit and school corporation in Floyd County, excluding the district, by an amount that equals the proportionate share of the amount of LIT received in 2024 of the combined distribution that would have been distributed to the Greenville FPD and the Lafayette FPD in 2024, but for their elimination. Provides that funds accumulated from a Perry County special purpose tax rate to construct or improve the county jail after the redemption of bonds issued or final payment of lease rentals due under a lease shall be transferred to a county capital project fund to be used to finance capital projects within Perry County. (Current law specifies that such remaining funds are to be transferred to the county jail operations fund to be used for financing the maintenance and operations of the Perry County detention center.) Allows Grant County, under specified circumstances, to adopt an ordinance to impose a special purpose local income tax rate to fund and finance the construction of a county jail. Provides, for purposes of calculating distributions of the financial institutions tax to local taxing units, how to calculate distributions for a taxing unit that did not receive distributions in 2012 because the unit was subsequently established from the merger or consolidation of two or more taxing units that received distributions from the financial institutions tax fund in 2012. Provides, for purposes of calculating qualified distributions of the commercial motor vehicle excise tax to local taxing units, how to calculate base revenue distributions for a taxing unit that did not receive a base revenue distribution in 2001 because the taxing unit was subsequently established from the merger or consolidation of two or more taxing units that received base revenue distributions in 2001. Provides that, for purposes of determining the apportionment or distribution of the motor vehicle excise tax, that the county auditor may make adjustments to reflect the merger or consolidation of two or more taxing units. Authorizes Knox County to impose its innkeeper's tax at a rate of 8% (instead of 6% under current law). Provides that, if the tax rate is increased to more than 6%, the portion of the tax rate that exceeds 6% expires on December 31, 2045. Authorizes the city of Hammond to impose a food and beverage tax. Authorizes the town of Cicero to impose a food and beverage tax.
 Current Status:   4/3/2024 - Public Law 137
 State Bill Page:   HB1121
 
HB1135COSMETOLOGY APPRENTICESHIPS. (WESCO T) Provides that an individual who completes a United States Department of Labor registered apprenticeship program to practice cosmetology may take the cosmetologist licensure examination and, upon passage of the examination, practice as a cosmetologist.
 Current Status:   4/3/2024 - Public Law 82
 State Bill Page:   HB1135
 
HB1162BUREAU OF MOTOR VEHICLES. (PRESSEL J) Makes a technical correction regarding the calculation of a county's allocation from the motor vehicle highway account fund. Provides that a commercial driver's license and a commercial learner's permit may be issued as a mobile credential. Repeals language allowing the bureau of motor vehicles (bureau) to issue a driver's license or identification card to a person granted parole. Adds a wearable device that blocks, in whole or in part, the field of vision of the person wearing the device to the definition of a "telecommunications device". Clarifies that only handheld telecommunications devices may be used in conjunction with hands free or voice operated technology while operating a motor vehicle. Requires the bureau to state on each of its forms the law or rule making the form necessary. Prohibits the bureau from requiring a person to appear in person for the renewal of a registration for a collector vehicle, a historic vehicle license plate, or an authentic license plate from the model year of a collector vehicle. Allows an individual who is at least 18 years of age and holds a valid commercial driver's license to be issued a hazardous materials endorsement. Amends provisions regarding proof of a veteran's discharge from the armed forces or its reserves or the national guard. Changes the number of commercial vehicles that must be owned for the state department of revenue to issue a license plate for each commercial vehicle from 25 to five. Amends provisions requiring the bureau to provide notice to allow the bureau to provide notice electronically when the individual has indicated a preference for receiving electronic notices from the bureau. Provides that a driver's license or identification card expires upon the bureau receiving notice of the death of the holder. Allows an individual to electronically apply for the individual's driver's license or learner's permit to be converted into an identification card. Provides that the owner, lessor, or operator of a commercial motor vehicle or a person who leases or rents a commercial motor vehicle to another person is not civilly liable for a tort claim based on the failure to install optional equipment on a commercial motor vehicle unless certain circumstances exist. Deletes provisions allowing the bureau to suspend or revoke the registration of an individual convicted of certain crimes.
 Current Status:   3/13/2024 - SIGNED BY GOVERNOR
 State Bill Page:   HB1162
 
HB1179STATE EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS. (KING J) Requires a state educational institution (institution) to disclose certain foreign gifts and contracts received or entered into after December 31, 2020. Requires the commission to establish and maintain a website for accessing information about disclosed gifts and contracts. Authorizes the commission to provide for an audit of an institution's use of a disclosed gift, or the proceeds of a disclosed contract, received or entered into after June 30, 2021, and before July 1, 2024. Authorizes the attorney general to bring a cause of action to enforce the disclosure statute. Requires the board of trustees of an institution to adopt a policy prohibiting the transfer, licensing, or sublicensing of intellectual property developed using the institution's resources to: (1) a business entity organized under the laws of a foreign adversary; (2) a business entity headquartered in a foreign adversary; or (3) a business entity or other entity, including a governmental entity, that is owned or controlled by citizens of, or is directly controlled by the government of, a foreign adversary. Requires the board of trustees of each institution to adopt a policy prohibiting an employee or contractor of the institution from making a public statement in the employee's or contractor's official capacity unless the statement: (1) relates to the operation of the institution, or to an institution sponsored event; or (2) has been approved by the board of trustees. Prohibits an institution from using state funds or resources to: (1) engage or contract with an individual associated with a foreign terrorist organization or a state sponsor of terror; or (2) support the activities of a foreign terrorist organization or a state sponsor of terror.
 Current Status:   3/13/2024 - SIGNED BY GOVERNOR
 State Bill Page:   HB1179
 
HB1216MEDICAID REIMBURSEMENT FOR CERTAIN DETAINEES. (STEUERWALD G) Removes provisions in current law specifying that services provided to an individual while the individual is committed to a facility for mental health services are medically necessary when provided in accordance with generally accepted clinical care guidelines. Requires Medicaid reimbursement for Medicaid covered services provided to a Medicaid recipient while the individual is detained to a facility for mental health services. Sunsets this provision on June 30, 2025. Requires, on or before February 1, 2025, the office of the secretary of family and social services to report to the budget committee certain information for Medicaid claims data ranging from July 1, 2024, to December 31, 2024. Amends the requirements for an application for detention.
 Current Status:   3/13/2024 - SIGNED BY GOVERNOR
 State Bill Page:   HB1216
 
HB1243VARIOUS EDUCATION MATTERS. (BEHNING R) Makes various changes to the education law concerning the following: (1) Indiana diploma requirements and designations and satisfying certain course requirements by obtaining a diploma. (2) The criteria to receive a waiver from postsecondary readiness competency requirements. (3) The minimum number of alternate diplomas that may be counted in determining a school's or school corporation's graduation rate. (4) Use of the terms "statewide assessment program" and "statewide summative assessment". (5) The responsibilities of the state advisory council on the education of children with disabilities. (6) The criteria an individual must meet to participate in the Indiana high school equivalency diploma program. Establishes notice and posting requirements regarding school corporations that fail to meet: (1) certain expenditure requirements regarding full-time teacher salaries; or (2) the percentage of state tuition support that must be expended on teacher compensation. Provides that the amount a school corporation expends on teacher compensation shall also include amounts the school corporation expends on certain dropout recovery education services. Provides that state tuition support for certain virtual students is not included in determining the amount a school corporation expends on teacher compensation. Requires the following: (1) Each public high school to offer, after June 30, 2028, at least once each school year at least one computer science course as a separate subject in the public high school's curriculum. (2) The department of education (department), in revising and updating academic standards, to consider integrating: (A) computer science; and (B) data literacy and data science; standards into a subject area being revised. (3) Beginning with the cohort of students who are expected to graduate from a public school or a state accredited nonpublic school in 2029, a student to successfully complete instruction on computer science as a separate subject before the student may graduate. (4) Each public school to participate in an annual statewide survey concerning school fees charged to students or parents to be eligible to receive a distribution from the curricular materials fund. (5) The department to develop proposals to align diploma waiver statutes with new diploma requirements. (6) Charter schools to post certain information. Provides that the state board of education (state board) may allow a computer science course to satisfy one or more diploma course requirements. Removes provisions regarding the application and waiver of requirements concerning: (1) certain expenditure requirements regarding full-time teacher salaries; and (2) the percentage of state tuition support that must be used for teacher compensation. Removes provisions that have expired concerning high school graduation requirements and graduation waivers. Removes language concerning the disqualification of certain students for state scholarships, grants, or assistance administered by the commission for higher education and provides that a student may not receive or use any state scholarships, grants, or assistance administered by the commission for certain noncredit-bearing, nondegree seeking courses. Amends the expiration date for the high school equivalency pilot program to June 30, 2026. (The current expiration date is June 30, 2024.) Allows school corporations to provide certain notices regarding expulsion meetings by electronic mail. Provides each school corporation, charter school, and state accredited nonpublic school shall include in its curriculum for students enrolled in grade 8, 9, 10, 11, or 12 (instead of all high school students) instruction concerning personal financial responsibility. Provides that a literacy achievement grant is not subject to collective bargaining. Provides that a school corporation may include instruction regarding Internet safety in the school corporation's curriculum. Requires the department to approve previously developed age appropriate curricula concerning Internet safety not later than July 1, 2025. Requires the office of management and budget to establish a kindergarten through grade 12 data governance team. Establishes the duties of the data governance team, including the submission of a report to the legislative council. Requires, not later than July 1, 2024, the department to: (1) establish an online, self-paced professional development module with regard to mathematics; (2) develop math descriptions correlated to proficiency level descriptors to track proficiency at the student level; (3) create and identify dedicated math resources to assist with intervention and enrichment opportunities and instructional strategies; and (4) post the resources on the department's website. Requires, not later than December 1, 2024, the department to submit a plan to the legislative council that includes: (1) strategies for the early identification of students who are at risk of not meeting grade level proficiency in mathematics; and (2) recommendations for high quality intervention policies for mathematics. Defines "literacy coach" and requires literacy coaches to prioritize certain duties. Provides for the availability of certain grants for literacy coaches. Establishes certain restrictions and requirements regarding visiting teacher licenses. Requires the department and the commission for higher education, in conjunction with the state board, to partner with teacher preparation programs to receive an outside evaluation of teacher preparation reading instruction programs. Requires the department to develop guidelines regarding the use of curriculum or content that prepares elementary school teacher candidates in math instruction. Provides that a student's latest statewide assessment program test results are included on the student's transcript upon request of the student. Provides that successful completion of an International Baccalaureate diploma program course (course) shall count for high school credit. Provides that any rule adopted by the state board or the department concerning certain diplomas must provide that successful completion of a course is credited toward fulfilling the requirements of certain diplomas. Provides that high school students who have taken a course examination and received a score of four or higher on the examination are entitled to postsecondary academic credit at state educational institutions under certain conditions. Amends the requirements to receive a literacy endorsement. Requires the governing body of each school corporation to have a policy regarding the participation of habitually truant students in extracurricular and co-curricular activities.
 Current Status:   3/13/2024 - SIGNED BY GOVERNOR
 State Bill Page:   HB1243
 
HB1328DEPARTMENT OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT FINANCE. (SNOW C) Provides that a county fiscal body may provide a stipend, not to exceed $2,500, to a circuit court clerk that serves as a voter registration officer each year in which a general election is held. Requires a political subdivision to upload to the Indiana transparency website any contract: (1) related to the provision of fire services or emergency medical services; or (2) entered into with another unit or entity that provides fire services or emergency medical services. Requires a political subdivision to annually attest that the political subdivision uploaded any contract related to the provision of fire services or emergency medical services as a part of the political subdivision budgeting process and specifies the consequence for failure to satisfy the attestation requirement. Provides that for purposes of public purchasing, the term "public funds" does not include proceeds of bonds payable exclusively by, or used by, a private entity. Provides a 15% procurement price preference to a business offering to provide supplies or services under a contract awarded by a state agency to a business that provides "specialized employee services" to its employees. Extends the duration of an entrepreneur and enterprise district (district) to the later of: (1) December 31, 2029 (rather than December 31, 2024); or (2) five years after the date the district is designated. Amends provisions of a statute pertaining to the assessment of rental property. Requires the department of local government finance (department) to notify the county assessor of the department's tentative assessment, or information related to tentative valuation changes, of a utility company's distributable property not later than June 1. Reinstates a provision that was repealed in SEA 325-2023 (P.L.182-2023) that includes as a "homestead" property that is an individual's principal place of residence, is located in Indiana, and is owned by an entity, if the individual is a shareholder, partner, or member of the entity that owns the property. Requires a county auditor to submit an amended certified statement of the assessed value for the ensuing year to the department by the later of: (1) September 1; or (2) 15 days after the certified statement is submitted to the department. Requires the proper officers of a political subdivision that desire to appropriate more money for a particular year than the amount prescribed in the budget for that year as finally determined to hold a public hearing after submitting information regarding the proposed additional appropriation to the department's computer gateway. Provides for a maximum property tax levy increase for Knox Township in Jay County. Prohibits certain civil taxing units that determine they cannot carry out their governmental functions for an ensuing calendar year under various levy limitations from submitting an appeal unless the civil taxing unit receives approval from the appropriate fiscal body to submit the appeal. Similarly prohibits a participating unit of a fire protection territory from submitting an appeal unless each participating unit of the fire protection territory has adopted a resolution approving submission of the appeal. Requires the department, regarding the referendum process for bonds or leases for certain projects, to certify its approval or recommendations to the county auditor and the county election board not more than 10 days after both the required certification of the county auditor and the language of the public question are submitted to the department for review. Provides for the staggering of terms for property tax assessment board of appeals members. Provides that if the department determines that certified computer software or a certified provider is not in compliance with certain specifications or standards or the rules of the department, the department may request that the provider develop a corrective action plan. Provides that a contract with a computer provider under a corrective action plan is not void unless the department: (1) determines that the provider has failed to substantially correct the noncompliance; and (2) revokes the provider's certification. Establishes corrective action plan provisions for noncompliant computer providers. Provides the amount of the additional penalty added to taxes payable if a person fails to file a personal property return within 30 days after the due date. Amends a provision regarding the local income tax rate for local costs of the state judicial system in the county. Requires the department to approve a lower levy freeze tax rate if it finds that the lower rate, in addition to: (1) the supplemental distribution as determined in an adopted resolution; and (2) the amount in certain repealed stabilization funds, as applicable; would fund the levy freeze dollar amount. Provides that certain acute care hospitals may apply to the division of mental health and addiction for certification as a community mental health center. Requires the division of mental health and addiction to review applications for certification as a community mental health center: (1) to ensure an applicant meets certain standards; and (2) without consideration for previously established exclusive geographic primary service restrictions. Requires the department to send its decision regarding referendum language to the governing body of a school corporation not more than 10 days after: (1) the certification of the county auditor; and (2) the resolution is submitted to the department. Provides that, for purposes of the transportation levy component of an operations fund property tax levy, a school corporation, whose budget for the upcoming year is subject to review by a fiscal body, may not submit an appeal to the department unless the school corporation receives approval from the fiscal body. Provides that a county fiscal body may establish a salary schedule that includes a stipend, not to exceed $2,500 in a year, to be paid to the county auditor for duties when warranted as determined by the county fiscal body. Requires a county recorder to provide the owner of a farm with: (1) a copy of the recorded document that contains the name of the owner's farm; and (2) documentation of a description of the land to which the name of the farm applies. Provides that for a county having a United States government military base that is scheduled for closing, the expiration date of the allocation area may be extended for the purposes of paying certain expenses. Repeals a provision that prohibits a local unit from amending the boundaries of an economic improvement district (EID). Instead, allows a local unit to amend the boundaries of an EID only if an owner of real property wishes to include the owner's real property in the EID and voluntarily enters into a written agreement with the legislative body of the local unit in which the owner requests and consents to increasing the boundaries of the EID to include the owner's real property. Specifies that, for real property subject to such a written agreement that is subsequently sold to a new owner, the new owner of that real property may opt out of the prior owner's agreement. Provides that no ordinance or safety board action to fix compensation may provide for any increase in the compensation of any member of a police department or fire department, or any other appointee, from the prior budget year if the city has not fixed a budget, tax rate, and tax levy for the ensuing budget year.
 Current Status:   3/13/2024 - SIGNED BY GOVERNOR
 State Bill Page:   HB1328
 
HB1385EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES. (BARRETT B) Establishes the community cares initiative grant pilot program for the purpose of assisting in the costs of starting or expanding mobile integrated health care programs and mobile crisis teams in Indiana. Establishes the community cares initiative fund. Requires a health plan operator to provide payment to a nonparticipating ambulance service provider for ambulance service provided to a covered individual: (1) at a rate not to exceed the rates set or approved, by contract or ordinance, by the county or municipality in which the ambulance service originated; (2) at the rate of 400% of the published rate for ambulance services established under the Medicare law for the same ambulance service provided in the same geographic area; or (3) according to the nonparticipating ambulance provider's billed charges; whichever is less. Provides that if a health plan operator makes payment to a nonparticipating ambulance service provider in compliance with these requirements: (1) the payment shall be considered payment in full, except for any copayment, coinsurance, deductible, and other cost sharing amounts that the health plan requires the covered individual to pay; and (2) the nonparticipating ambulance service provider is prohibited from billing the covered individual for any additional amount. Provides that the copayment, coinsurance, deductible, and other cost sharing amounts that a covered individual is required to pay in connection with ambulance service provided by a nonparticipating ambulance service provider shall not exceed the copayment, coinsurance, deductible, and other cost sharing amounts that the covered individual would be required to pay if the ambulance service had been provided by a participating ambulance service provider. Requires a health plan operator that receives a clean claim from a nonparticipating ambulance service provider to remit payment to the nonparticipating ambulance service provider not more than 30 days after receiving the clean claim. Provides that if a claim received by a health plan operator for ambulance service provided by a nonparticipating ambulance service provider is not a clean claim, the health plan operator, not more than 30 days after receiving the claim, shall: (1) remit payment; or (2) send a written notice that: (A) acknowledges the date of receipt of the claim; and (B) either explains why the health plan operator is declining to pay the claim or states that additional information is needed for a determination whether to pay the claim. Removes the requirement that a health plan operator negotiate rates and terms with any ambulance service provider willing to become a participating provider, but retains the requirement that the state negotiate rates and terms with any ambulance service provider willing to become a participating provider.
 Current Status:   3/13/2024 - SIGNED BY GOVERNOR
 State Bill Page:   HB1385
 
SB1READING SKILLS. (ROGERS L) Provides that the department of education (department) may grant certain individuals a waiver that provides an exception to the literacy endorsement requirements if the department submits a report to the legislative council by a specified date. Requires certain schools, beginning with the 2024-2025 school year, to offer summer school courses for students who are not reading proficient or are at risk of not being reading proficient as indicated on the determinant evaluation of reading skills approved by the state board of education (evaluation). Expands eligibility for funding for summer school courses. Requires certain summer school courses to be taught by a teacher, instructor, or tutor who is trained in the science of reading. Provides that if a student does not achieve a 90% attendance rate in a summer reading course, the student is required to participate in an individual reading plan in the following school year. Requires the department of education to procure a universal screening assessment (assessment) that meets certain criteria. Requires certain schools to administer the assessment to students in kindergarten through grade 2 who are not on track for reading proficiency by grade 3 as determined by the department. Requires the state board of education to establish a method for virtual administration of the ILEARN statewide assessment. Provides that a vendor must supply a student's assessment results to the student and the student's parents. Applies the reading deficiency remediation plan (plan) to public schools, charter schools, state accredited nonpublic schools, and eligible schools. Makes the following changes to the plan: (1) Beginning with evaluations administered in the 2024-2025 school year, requires retention of a student in grade 3 in addition to remediation if the student has not achieved a passing score on the evaluation. (2) Requires schools to notify a student's parent of certain assessment results, interventions, or remedial actions provided to the student. (3) Requires schools to monitor the progress of students who have failed to achieve a passing score on the evaluation or the statewide assessment program test. (4) Requires schools to provide reading instruction aligned with the science of reading to all students in kindergarten through grade 8. (5) Requires schools to administer the evaluation to students who are in grade 2. (6) Requires a student to take the evaluation until certain conditions are met. (7) Requires school reporting on interventions for certain students at risk of not being reading proficient and for certain students who do not a achieve a valid passing score on the determinant evaluation of reading skills. Creates exceptions to the grade 3 retention requirement for a student who meets certain criteria. Requires the governing body of a school to establish a procedure allowing a parent or guardian of a student to appeal the student's retention under the plan. Requires the department to notify the parent or guardian of a child enrolled in kindergarten of the retention requirements under the plan.
 Current Status:   3/11/2024 - SIGNED BY GOVERNOR
 State Bill Page:   SB1
 
SB2CHILD CARE. (CHARBONNEAU E) Requires the Indiana economic development corporation to annually report to the general assembly regarding funds dedicated to supporting child care under specified state and federal programs. Defines an "out-of-school-time program". Requires the office of the secretary of family and social services (FSSA) to publish on the FSSA website a dashboard providing monthly information regarding state and federal child care subsidies available to Indiana residents. Provides that a household is eligible to begin receiving assistance under the federal Child Care and Development Fund (CCDF) voucher program if the household, at the time of FSSA's initial determination of the household's income eligibility: (1) has a household income that does not exceed 85% of Indiana's state median income for the household's family size; (2) includes an individual who is employed by a licensed child care center, a licensed child care home, or a licensed or registered child care ministry; and (3) otherwise meets federal eligibility requirements for the CCDF program. Provides, with respect to the individual with certification in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) required to be present at all times when a child is in the care of a child care provider that is eligible to receive reimbursement through the CCDF program, that the individual is not required to be recertified in CPR annually. Provides that: (1) the early learning advisory committee must commission a third party evaluation to assess existing regulations for child care providers not later than May 1, 2024 (rather than July 1, 2024, under current law); and (2) FSSA must initiate the process of amending FSSA's rules in consideration of the findings of the third party evaluation not later than July 1, 2024. Requires, not later than September 30, 2024, the early learning advisory committee to: (1) complete a study regarding compensation in Indiana for early childhood educators and caregivers at out-of-school-time programs; (2) create an online dashboard to allow access to compensation data; and (3) issue a report containing the committee's findings and recommendations. Amends provisions regarding the On My Way Pre-K voucher program (program) to: (1) provide eligibility for children of child care employees; and (2) amend references to funds provided to children under the program as prekindergarten vouchers, rather than grants. Requires FSSA to establish a micro facility pilot program, under which FSSA shall: (1) develop a regulatory model that: (A) is applicable only to certain licensed or registered child care providers that provide child care for not less than three children and not more than 30 children for at least four hours per day (micro facilities); and (B) incorporates waivers or variances from FSSA's rules applicable to certain child care providers; (2) apply the regulatory model to at least three micro facilities and evaluate the operation of the micro facilities under the regulatory model; and (3) not later than October 1, 2026: (A) make a determination as to whether FSSA will adopt rules specific to micro facilities that incorporate some or all aspects of the regulatory model; and (B) submit to the general assembly a report regarding the pilot program. Requires FSSA to do the following: (1) Amend FSSA's rules to define a "substitute educator" caregiver type for purposes of FSSA's rules pertaining to all categories of child care providers regulated by FSSA. (2) Amend FSSA's rules to allow an employee of a child care provider who: (A) is 16 or 17 years of age; (B) is assigned to a lead caregiver who supervises the employee at all times during which the employee is supervising a child; (C) is never left alone with a child; and (D) meets specified qualifications; to be counted in child/staff ratios for school age child care rooms. (3) Amend FSSA's rules to allow an employee of a child care provider who: (A) is at least 18 years of age; and (B) meets specified qualifications; to serve as the staff person in charge of an infant/toddler room. (4) Issue a report to the general assembly not later than October 31, 2024, documenting the results attributable to: (A) the employer sponsored child care fund; and (B) the employer child care expenditure credit. (5) Study, in collaboration with other specified state agencies, opportunities for resource sharing across state agencies and local units of government to facilitate the fingerprinting of individuals for purposes of conducting national criminal history background checks and issue a report to the governor and the general assembly regarding the results of the study. Makes technical corrections.
 Current Status:   3/13/2024 - SIGNED BY GOVERNOR
 State Bill Page:   SB2
 
SB20MUNICIPAL RIVERFRONT DEVELOPMENT DISTRICT PERMITS. (HOLDMAN T) Specifies that the alcohol and tobacco commission may issue restaurant permits for a municipal riverfront development district established by a town.
 Current Status:   3/12/2024 - SIGNED BY GOVERNOR
 State Bill Page:   SB20
 
SB33DISTRIBUTIONS OF PUBLIC SAFETY INCOME TAX REVENUE. (NIEMEYER R) Defines"courtroom costs". Provides that a county fiscal body may adopt an ordinance to impose a tax rate for: (1) in the case of a tax rate adopted before January 1, 2024, county staff expenses of the state judicial system in the county; or (2) in the case of a tax rate adopted after December 31, 2023, courtroom costs of the state judicial system in the county. Provides that the revenue shall be used by the county: (1) in the case of the tax rate adopted before January 1, 2024, only for paying for county staff expenses of the state judicial system in the county; and (2) in the case of a tax rate adopted after December 31, 2023, only for paying the courtroom costs of the state judicial system in the county. Provides that the local income tax revenue spent by each county may not comprise more than 50% of the county's total operational staffing expenses related to the courtroom costs of the state judicial system in any given year. Provides that a township fire department, volunteer fire department, fire protection territory, or fire protection district may apply to the county adopting body for a distribution of local income tax revenue that is allocated to public safety purposes. Requires the county adopting body to review certain submitted applications at a public hearing.
 Current Status:   3/13/2024 - SIGNED BY GOVERNOR
 State Bill Page:   SB33
 
SB34OCCUPATIONAL LICENSING. (ROGERS L) Requires the professional licensing agency (agency) to study universal occupational licensing laws enacted in other states. Requires the agency to submit a report with findings and recommendations to the general assembly not later than October 31, 2025. Extends certain dates and expands certain duties regarding the comprehensive review of occupational licensing by public agencies. Delays the date that certain individuals may begin to file a petition to repeal or modify certain occupational regulations. (The introduced version of this bill was prepared by the interim study committee on employment and labor.)
 Current Status:   3/11/2024 - SIGNED BY GOVERNOR
 State Bill Page:   SB34
 
SB37OVERSIGHT OF CONVENTION AND VISITOR BUREAU. (NIEMEYER R) Provides that, in making appointments to the convention and visitor bureau, the appointing authority shall give sole consideration to individuals who are employed as executives or managers in certain businesses (instead of either knowledgeable about or employed as executives or managers). Provides that Before December 20 of each year, the convention and visitor bureau ("bureau") shall prepare a budget for expenditures during the following year, taking into consideration the recommendations made by a qualified corporation and submit the budget to the county council for its review and approval. Provides that an expenditure may not be made unless it is in accordance with an appropriation made by the county council in the manner provided by law. Provides that a budget prepared by the bureau and approved by the county council must be published on the department of state revenue's interactive and searchable website. Provides that the bureau may expend money from the alternate revenue fund to promote and encourage conventions, trade shows, visitors, special events, sporting events, and exhibitions in the county. Delays the date by which a proposal for the development, operation, and an ownership share in a Lake County convention and event center is considered timely.
 Current Status:   3/13/2024 - SIGNED BY GOVERNOR
 State Bill Page:   SB37
 
SB48STATE EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTION INFORMATION. (DORIOT B) Requires a state educational institution to prominently display hyperlinks to certain college scorecard information on the state educational institution's website and degree web pages.
 Current Status:   3/11/2024 - SIGNED BY GOVERNOR
 State Bill Page:   SB48
 
SB146YOUTH EMPLOYMENT. (ROGERS L) Allows a person who is at least 18 years of age to ring up a sale of alcoholic beverages in the course of the person's employment. Allows a waiter, waitress, or server who is at least 18 years of age to serve alcoholic beverages in a dining room of a restaurant or hotel under certain conditions. Provides certain exemptions from the employment of minors law. Provides, for purposes of the reporting requirement applicable to an employer that employs a specified number of minors, that: (1) a minor's date of hire is the first date on which the minor performs work for the employer; and (2) an employer must report any new or changed information not later than the fifteenth and last business days of each month. Provides that a civil penalty for a violation of certain provisions regarding the employment of minors may not be assessed for a violation of 10 minutes or less.
 Current Status:   3/12/2024 - SIGNED BY GOVERNOR
 State Bill Page:   SB146
 
SB148WORKFORCE DATA COLLECTION. (BROWN L) Requires the division of disability and rehabilitative services (division), beginning 12 months after the direct support professional registry is implemented, to post monthly on the division's website the total number of individuals registered under the registry. Requires the division to present information concerning the total number of individuals registered to the division of disability and rehabilitative services advisory council at least quarterly. Requires reports of newly hired employees to be filed electronically. Requires employers to provide an employee's current primary standardized occupational classification code and starting compensation on a report of a newly hired employee. Provides that each workforce focused agency shall deliver a workforce related program report to the management performance hub. Requires the management performance hub to: (1) compile the workforce related program reports into an annual data product; and (2) make the data product available to each workforce focused agency. Makes conforming amendments.
 Current Status:   3/13/2024 - SIGNED BY GOVERNOR
 State Bill Page:   SB148
 
SB169CHILD CARING INSTITUTIONS AND GROUP HOMES. (WALKER G) Requires specified types of residential child care facilities to: (1) implement specified personnel policies, including with regard to: (A) minimum qualifications for specified employee classifications; and (B) maintenance of personnel records; (2) comply with specified restrictions on caseloads; (3) obtain specified health records, immunizations, and examinations for each child under the facility's care; and (4) follow specified processes in providing medical care for children in the facility's care, including with regard to administering psychotropic medications. Provides that certain individuals at least 18 years of age but less than 21 years of age are included in the definitions for "child", "child abuse or neglect", and "victim of child abuse or neglect". Makes conforming and technical changes.
 Current Status:   3/13/2024 - SIGNED BY GOVERNOR
 State Bill Page:   SB169
 
SB228VARIOUS TAX MATTERS. (HOLDMAN T) Amends the economic threshold for sales tax nexus to remove the number of sales transactions in the state as one of the two current triggers that require retail merchants to collect and remit sales tax. Allows a retail merchant that receives 75% or more of its receipts from the sale of prepared food to elect to claim a sales tax exemption on transactions involving electricity equal to 50% of the tax imposed on the transactions. Makes certain changes to statutes of limitations provisions. Requires sheriffs to transfer funds collected through executions of tax warrants twice a month electronically through the department of state revenue (department) payment portal. Specifies that the service of process fee for postjudgment service can only be assessed one time per case. Authorizes the department to disclose a taxpayer's name and other personal identification information with a tax preparer or tax preparation software provider in cases where the department suspects that a fraudulent return has been filed on behalf of a taxpayer and that the system of a taxpayer's previous year tax preparer or tax preparation software provider has been breached. Specifies the pass through entity tax liability for pass through entities in certain circumstances. Repeals an outdated provision that requires an owner of a truck stop to obtain a license from the department. Reorganizes certain retail merchant certificate provisions. Makes clarifying and technical changes.
 Current Status:   3/13/2024 - SIGNED BY GOVERNOR
 State Bill Page:   SB228
 
SB260NEIGHBORHOOD AND INDIVIDUAL DEVELOPMENT INCENTIVES. (BECKER V) Defines a "community based organization" as a private, nonprofit corporation whose board of directors is comprised of business, civic, and community leaders, and whose principal purpose includes the provision of low income housing. (Current law limits administration, through a financial institution, of an account to community development corporations.) Provides that: (1) the first $1,500 (rather than $800) is eligible for a state deposit in an individual's account; (2) the allocation, for each account that has been established, for not more than five years, is $3 for each $1 of the first $1,500 (rather than the first $400) an individual deposited into the individual's account; and (3) the amount of the allocation may not exceed $4,500 (rather than $2,400) for each account. Makes various changes to the administration of and procedure for claiming the neighborhood assistance tax credit and the individual development account tax credit. Removes a reference to an obsolete tax.
 Current Status:   3/13/2024 - SIGNED BY GOVERNOR
 State Bill Page:   SB260
 

Week In Review

Indiana banks, inspired by Swiss program, to launch statewide apprenticeship program
The banking apprentices in Zurich, Switzerland look up from the loan applications on their laptops when trainer Burak Besler calls for their attention.
Indiana Capital Chronicle
Planned low-barrier homeless shelter raises hopes and concerns
At the screening last summer of “Beyond the Bridge,” a documentary on homelessness by a local filmmaker, Indianapolis Mayor Joe Hogsett said he understands that political will and leadership are necessary to ensure that homelessness is “brief, rare and non-recurring.”
Indianapolis Business Journal
Stellantis CEO Carlos Tavares resigns as carmaker continues to struggle with slumping sales
Stellantis CEO Carlos Tavares is stepping down after nearly four years in the top spot of the automaker, which owns car brands like Jeep, Citroën and Ram, amid an ongoing struggle with slumping sales.
Indianapolis Business Journal
Indiana comptroller urges Trump to take prompt action on national debt
Indiana's chief financial officer is imploring Republican President-elect Donald Trump to develop and implement a long-term plan for reducing the $36 trillion national debt once he takes office Jan. 20.
Northwest Indiana Times
Houchin’s FAFSA Deadline Act heads to Biden for approval
The FAFSA Deadline Act, introduced by U.S. Rep. Erin Houchin (R-IN), is heading to the White House.
Indiana Public Media
Indiana schools join partnership to protect student data, guard against cyber threats
School districts across Indiana say they are facing increased cybersecurity threats. The Indiana Department of Education recently joined a state partnership that aims to educate districts on how to keep school and student data safe.
Indiana Public Media

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