Indiana Bills

Changes the local income tax threshold percentages of a county trust account for purposes of determining whether a county shall receive a supplemental distribution.

HB 1475 requires the Indiana Veterans' Home to create a hospice program for veterans by July 1, 2026. This bill directly affects veterans residing at the Indiana Veterans' Home who need end-of-life care. The key provision mandates the facility to establish this specific hospice service within the specified timeframe. The program aims to provide specialized comfort care for eligible veterans at the state-run home.

Extends eligibility for supplemental pension benefits and incentive increases to employee beneficiaries of the state police 1987 benefit system. (Current law provides eligibility to employee beneficiaries under the state police pre-1987 benefit system.) Modifies the: (1) terms of eligibility for; and (2) calculation of; supplemental pension benefits and incentive increases.

Establishes the childhood trauma support fund. Requires the division of mental health and addiction to develop and administer a grant program for certain entities that create support programs for children who have experienced trauma. Makes an appropriation.

Sets forth minimum standards for the installation and maintenance of communications service or utility service facilities (facilities) in a public right-of-way. Defines a "permittee" as: (1) a person to whom an initial permit or other authorization for the installation of a facility in a public right-of-way is granted by a unit; or (2) a service provider responsible for maintaining a facility that has been installed in a public right-of-way. Defines a "line pollution violation" as a violation involving: (1) noncompliance with any standard set forth in the bill's provisions for the installation and maintenance of a facility in a public right-of-way; or (2) the presence of any damaged, abandoned, loose, or improperly secured facilities within a public right-of-way; attributable to a permittee. Provides that a permittee responsible for a line pollution violation is liable to the unit owning the public right-of-way for a fine in an amount determined by the unit, but not to exceed: (1) $500 per violation for each day the line pollution violation remains uncured; or (2) a total fine of $2,500. Requires a permittee to ensure that any person responsible for installing, replacing, relocating, or repairing any underground facility that is owned or operated by the permittee and located within a public right-of-way complies with the requirements set forth in: (1) Indiana's statute concerning underground utility facilities; and (2) any applicable local ordinance or regulation; with respect to any work involving drilling, trenching, boring, hand digging, or plowing.

Establishes the Indiana nonprofit security grant fund for the purpose of funding physical security improvements, security personnel improvements, and other protective measures for nonprofit organizations in Indiana that are at high risk due to the nature of their ideology, beliefs, or mission. Makes an appropriation.

Establishes the presidential electors apportionment task force (task force) to: (1) study and assess the state of Nebraska law that requires electoral votes for President of the United States to be apportioned between congressional district presidential electors and at-large presidential electors; and (2) make a recommendation as to whether Indiana should pass legislation to adopt the state of Nebraska model. Establishes rules and procedures for the task force. Requires the task force to report its findings and recommendations before November 1, 2025.

Specifies that certain records relating to juvenile delinquency proceedings are accessible to a law enforcement officer acting within the scope of the officer's duties, and requires persons having custody of these records to take steps to ensure that these records are available to the law enforcement officer in a timely manner. Repeals a provision requiring a court to expunge certain records on the court's own motion. Prohibits the expungement of a crime of violence. Allows the expungement of official misconduct if: (1) the person seeking the expungement is not an elected official; and (2) the prosecuting attorney consents.

HB 1484 prohibits public colleges and universities from using state funds to finance speaker series. It restricts the allocation of institutional funds specifically for events featuring outside speakers. The policy applies to all state educational institutions receiving public funding, limiting how they can spend state resources on external speaker programming.

Provides that the attorney general may file an amicus curiae brief only if the governor gives written approval to file the amicus curiae brief. Makes a conforming change.

Establishes entertainment zones within a consolidated city. Provides that the city-county council may establish a public safety plan for all or a designated part of an entertainment zone. Provides that a public safety plan for an entertainment zone may include a restriction on the possession of firearms within the entertainment zone, or within a particular area of the entertainment zone designated by the public safety plan, during certain hours. Establishes procedures for approving the public safety plan.

Prohibits use of public funds by a state educational institution for policies or programs and campus activities outside the classroom that: (1) advocate for campus diversity, equity, and inclusion; or (2) promote or engage in political or social activism. Makes related changes.