Indiana Bills

Requires an applicant seeking to register as an agent of a broker-dealer in Indiana to pass financial industry regulatory authority (FINRA) examinations unless certain exceptions apply. Requires an applicant seeking to register as an investment adviser representative in Indiana to pass FINRA examinations unless certain exceptions apply. Provides that under certain circumstances an agent of a broker-dealer or an investment adviser representative may have the validity of the individual's FINRA qualifying examinations extended. Requires an investment adviser representative to participate in a continuing education program.

Requires the office of the secretary of family and social services to, not later than October 1, 2025, apply for approval of a Section 1115 Medicaid demonstration waiver to provide prerelease services to certain incarcerated individuals beginning 90 days before the individual is released.

Provides a 25% state tax credit for contributions made to a public school foundation for taxable years beginning after December 31, 2025, and before January 1, 2028. Provides that the amount allowable as a credit in a taxable year may not exceed: (1) $1,000 in the case of an individual filing a single return or a corporation; or (2) $2,000 in the case of a married couple filing a joint return. Provides that the maximum amount of credits that may be awarded in a state fiscal year may not exceed $1,000,000.

Provides for regulation of the sale of kratom consumable products as follows: (1) Provides that a person must register with the Indiana state department of agriculture (department) in order to manufacture, distribute, or sell a kratom consumable product in Indiana. (2) Provides restrictions on the content of specified substances in a kratom consumable product (content restrictions), and provides for: (A) both civil and criminal penalties for violations; and (B) defenses to imposition of a penalty for a violation. (3) Prohibits the knowing or negligent sale of a kratom consumable product: (A) to an individual less than 21 years of age; (B) without verifying the age of the purchaser under specified conditions; (C) that violates the content restrictions; or (D) through specified retail displays or locations; and provides for civil penalties, and defenses to the imposition of a civil penalty, for violations. (4) Prohibits: (A) a person from knowingly or negligently providing a kratom consumable product to a person less than 21 years of age; (B) a person less than 21 years of age from knowingly or intentionally possessing, purchasing, or attempting to purchase a kratom consumable product; (C) an individual from knowingly or intentionally obtaining or attempting to obtain a kratom consumable product using fraudulent or altered proof of the individual's age or identity; and (D) an individual from knowingly or intentionally allowing another person to use the individual's identification for the purpose of assisting the other person in unlawfully obtaining a kratom consumable product; and provides for criminal penalties for a violation. (5) Requires: (A) a manufacturer of a kratom consumable product; and (B) under specified circumstances, a distributor of a kratom consumable product; to have samples of the a kratom consumable product tested for compliance with the content restrictions, and provides for civil penalties for a violation. (6) Imposes requirements regarding labeling, packaging, and marketing of kratom consumable products, and provides for civil penalties for a violation. (7) Requires a person that sells a kratom consumable product in Indiana to provide notice to the department of each variety of kratom consumable product sold by the person in Indiana. Creates the kratom regulation fund for the purpose of funding enforcement of regulations regarding kratom consumable products and provides that: (1) civil penalties collected for violations of regulations regarding kratom consumable products; and (2) registration fees for manufacturers, distributors, and sellers of kratom consumable products; are deposited in the fund. Makes an appropriation.

Makes it a Class A misdemeanor to: (1) apply for a driver's license or permit with the intent to transfer the license or permit to an individual not entitled to the license or permit; or (2) register or apply for a certificate of title to a motor vehicle with the intent to permit an individual not entitled to a driver's license or permit to operate the vehicle. Increases the penalty to: (1) a Level 6 felony if the offense involves at least two and less than 10 individuals or motor vehicles, or if the person uses a business organization or nonprofit organization to commit the offense; and (2) to a Level 5 felony if the offense involves at least 10 individuals or motor vehicles.

Requires the law enforcement training board to pay the cost of an individual's basic training (Tier 1) course, if the individual has been hired by a city or town police department. Requires an individual to reimburse the law enforcement training board for the cost of the basic training course if the individual voluntarily resigns from the police department less than five years after being certified as a law enforcement officer.

Appropriates $3,000,000 from the state general fund to the division of mental health and addiction to award grants to community mental health centers in low income areas to hire mental health professionals.

Urges the legislative council to assign to an appropriate study committee the task of studying the feasibility of establishing a law school in northwest Indiana.

Appropriates $2,000,000 from the state general fund to the department of homeland security (department) to be used by the department for the purpose of providing mental health and wellness training for: (1) law enforcement officers; (2) emergency medical services providers; and (3) full-time firefighters.

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

Requires the office of the secretary of family and social services (FSSA) to conduct a study of the means by which the state can optimize the delivery of services to individuals who are: (1) intellectually disabled and mentally ill; or (2) mentally ill and addicted to alcohol or a controlled substance. Requires FSSA to issue to the general assembly, not later than November 1, 2025, a report setting forth: (1) the results of the study; and (2) any legislation recommended by FSSA based on the findings of the study.

Increases the personal exemption to $1,500 in the definition of "adjusted gross income" for a taxpayer, or, in the case of a joint return, for each spouse. Increases the exemption for dependents to $1,500. Increases the exemption to $1,500 for the spouse of the taxpayer if a separate return is made by the taxpayer and the spouse and if the spouse had no gross income for the calendar year.