Indiana Bills

Requires each school corporation to place a durable poster or framed picture representing the text of the Ten Commandments in each school library and classroom.

HB 1237 designates the Indiana bat as Indiana's official state mammal. This symbolic bill directly affects all Indiana residents by formally recognizing this native species as a state emblem. The key provision is the legislative designation itself, with no additional policy changes or mechanisms beyond naming the bat. It is a non-substantive, ceremonial measure focused on state symbolism.

Provides that a correctional facility shall provide specific care, treatment, and education for pregnant inmates and inmates who have recently given birth. Requires the commissioner of correction to submit to the governor, the chief justice of the supreme court, and the legislative council an annual report that includes an account of every instance when a pregnant inmate has been restrained in a correctional facility.

Requires the Indiana department of health (department) to develop a program to award grants to certain community based programs to reduce the prevalence of maternal mortality in Indiana. Requires the department to collaborate with the statewide maternal mortality review committee in developing the program. Provides that the department shall establish workgroups to assist in developing the program. Allows the department to adopt rules to administer the program.

Provides that: (1) any amount of health care debt owed or alleged to be owed by a consumer; or (2) in an action against a consumer in which a judgment has been entered, any amount of the judgment that represents health care debt determined to be owed by the consumer; does not constitute a lien against the consumer's principal residence. Provides that in any action filed, in a court of competent jurisdiction in Indiana, for the recovery of health care debt owed or alleged to be owed by a consumer, the principal residence of the consumer is not liable to judgment or attachment or to be sold on execution against the consumer.

Establishes the comprehensive student support program (program) for the purposes of: (1) funding the formation and staffing of school based and district level comprehensive student support teams; (2) improving staffing ratios for student support personnel; (3) supporting the creation, expansion, and work of multidisciplinary school teams to address the school environment, school safety, school improvement, and crisis intervention and emergency preparedness; and (4) professional development for student support personnel. Establishes the comprehensive student support program state board (board). Provides that the board administers the program. Establishes the comprehensive student support program fund for the purpose of funding the program, and annually appropriates to the fund $1,000,000 from cigarette tax revenue, registration fees, fines, and penalties deposited in the state general fund.

Requires the office of the secretary of family and social services (office) to submit a Medicaid state plan amendment to the United States Department of Health and Human Services to allow school corporations to seek Medicaid reimbursement for medically necessary school based Medicaid covered services (program). (Current law allows for the state plan amendment.) Sets forth requirements of the state plan amendment and program. Removes language that would have allowed for offsetting reductions to distributions of state tuition support or other state funds to school corporations in the amount of certain nonfederal reimbursements. Specifies how school corporations can expend the funds. Requires the office and the department of education (department) to each employ one employee for the program and to train school corporations concerning the program. Requires the department to conduct a study concerning workload levels for school based health providers who are licensed occupational therapists and licensed physical therapists. Specifies components to consider in determining a methodology and requirements of the study. Requires the department to submit a report of the study to the legislative council before November 1, 2025, and to post the report on the department's website.

Establishes a grant program to promote the installation of lactation rooms in public buildings. Requires the Indiana housing and community development authority (IHCDA) to administer the grant program. Authorizes public agencies to apply for grants. Appropriates $5,000,000 to the IHCDA for deposit in the grant fund.

Establishes the stillbirth prevention through fetal movement pilot program (program) for the purpose of providing evidence based information on the importance of tracking fetal movement in the third trimester of pregnancy to prevent stillbirths, to be administered by the Indiana department of health (state department). Allows the state department to award grants to increase education and the distribution of materials on tracking fetal movement in the third trimester of pregnancy. Requires grantees to report specified information on a quarterly and annual basis. Creates a fund and appropriates $250,000 for the program. Expires the program December 31, 2027.

Beginning in taxable year 2026, increases the credit provided for a contribution to a college choice 529 education savings plan against a taxpayer's adjusted gross income from $1,500 to $2,500 (and from $750 to $1,250 in the case of a married individual filing a separate return), subject to other requirements.

HB 1251 increases the tax on regular cigarettes to $1.995 per pack and makes a corresponding tax increase for larger cigarette packs. This directly affects cigarette buyers through higher prices and retailers who pay the tax on sales. The key provision is a specific per-pack tax rate adjustment without changing the overall tax structure. The bill is currently under review by the Committee on Ways and Means.

Reenacts, and extends the expiration date of, the term "practitioner". Establishes a temporary license for behavior analysts and assistant behavior analysts. Establishes a temporary certification for behavior technicians. Makes conforming changes.