HB 1685 provides a state tax credit for teachers who pay for their own professional development. It allows teachers to reduce their state adjusted gross income tax liability by the amount they spend on qualifying professional development activities. The credit directly affects teachers who cover these costs out-of-pocket, rather than through employer programs. This policy change offers a concrete financial incentive to support ongoing teacher training through the state tax system.
Requires a new public utility company owner of a wind power device to report, in years after the first year of ownership, the valuation of the wind power device at the same valuation amount entered in the public utility company's first annual report after the change in ownership, less adjustments for depreciation according to a schedule prescribed by the department of local government finance (department). Requires a new public utility company owner of a solar power device or a utility scale battery energy storage system to report the valuation of the solar power device or utility scale battery energy storage system at the same valuation amount that the previous owner last valued the solar power device or utility scale battery energy storage system prior to the change in ownership, less adjustments for depreciation according to a schedule prescribed by the department. Requires the department to create depreciation schedules. Requires the department to prepare and present reports to the interim study committee on energy, utilities, and telecommunications on: (1) the valuation of the devices and systems; and (2) the department's progress in implementing the bill's provisions.
HB 1678 proposes to grant elected state officers (such as legislators, governors, or county officials) qualified immunity from civil lawsuits related to their official duties. This means state officials would be shielded from being sued for actions taken in their official roles, unless they violated "clearly established" rights. The bill directly affects state officials who could face legal claims while performing their elected responsibilities. It is a procedural measure that would change the legal standard for holding these officials accountable in court, rather than altering substantive policy. The bill was introduced on January 21, 2025, and referred to the Judiciary Committee.
Requires the Indiana utility regulatory commission (commission) to include in the commission's annual report and publish on the commission's website: (1) the average amount paid by residents of each Indiana municipality for: (A) energy utility service; (B) water and wastewater utility service; and (C) gas distribution service; in the preceding year, disaggregated by municipality; and (2) the statistical change in each of these average amounts since the first year for which the commission reported the average amount.
HB 1430 establishes a state-run program that creates partnerships between employers and the state to provide child care assistance for employees. It directly affects employers who participate in the program and employees who need child care support. The bill makes a specific state appropriation to fund this program, though the context does not detail exact eligibility rules or operational mechanisms. This is a new policy initiative, not a procedural measure, and no voting record is available yet as the bill is in early committee referral.
Provides that the department of natural resources may not charge an individual traveling on foot, a bicycle, or horseback an admission fee for a state park or recreation area.
Provides that a township may increase its maximum property tax levy if the township: (1) has a population of more than 10,000; or (2) experiences population growth of at least 4,000 during a 10 year period. Prescribes the maximum amount of increase in a township's maximum property tax levy. Prescribes a township's maximum property tax levy following an increase.
Requires the board of trustees of each state educational institution (institution) to adopt a policy that prohibits certain foreign students from enrolling in or receiving instruction in a qualifying STEM program offered by the institution. Requires that the policy be established and enforced not later than August 15, 2025. Provides that the policy must apply to certain foreign students who enroll in an institution after August 15, 2025.
Provides that an unlicensed kinship caregiver is entitled to receive maintenance payments. Requires the department of child services (department) to calculate a maintenance payment for an unlicensed kinship caregiver in the same manner as a licensed foster parent. Allows the department to require foster care training for unlicensed kinship caregivers to receive maintenance payments.
Requires the Indiana department of health to: (1) establish and administer a public education program to provide information on cytomegalovirus to pregnant women; and (2) distribute the information to specified persons. Requires a clinic or medical facility that offers fertility care to make the information concerning cytomegalovirus available to patients of the clinic or facility.
Requires each school corporation to develop a plan: (1) to notify a child's parents if the child is a victim of bullying or if the child expresses suicidal thoughts; and (2) to provide the child's parents with certain suicide awareness materials and firearms storage materials.
Requires a provider to provide a patient's medical record in the form and format requested by the patient or the patient's legal representative, if readily producible. Provides that a third party may not charge more than $2.50 for producing a patient's medical record. Prohibits a provider from charging more than $6.50 for producing a patient's medical record in electronic form. Specifies that certain provisions in current law governing medical record fees apply to a medical record in paper form. Amends the factors the department of insurance may consider in adopting rules governing medical record fees. Limits supply costs for paper copies to $.05 per page. Prohibits the department from adopting a rule permitting a retrieval fee. Requires a provider to provide one free copy of a patient's medical record to the patient or the patient's legal representative if requesting the medical record to apply for or appeal a denial of Social Security insurance disability benefits or Supplemental Security Insurance. Provides that a certification fee may not exceed $5. Prohibits a provider from charging a fee for a billing statement.
