Requires the department of education (department), in collaboration with the commission for higher education and subject to the approval of the state board, to establish an excellence in civic engagement designation. Requires the department to develop recommendations for an excellence in civics education designation for schools. Provides that the public hearing required before a school employer and school employee may privately negotiate certain matters may take place at a regular or special meeting of the school's governing body.
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 Repeals an outdated provision that requires an owner of a truck stop to obtain a license from the department.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.
Makes numerous changes to the criminal law, including: (1) changing references from "county prosecuting attorney" to "prosecuting attorney"; (2) specifying the membership of county school safety commissions; (3) removing and replacing the organized theft statute; (4) increasing the penalty for fraud and battery under certain circumstances; and (5) defining "abusive head trauma" and permitting it to be used as an aggravating circumstance. Makes unlawful carrying of a handgun by a child a waivable offense. Specifies that "telephone sales call" includes certain types of electronically transmitted information. Makes certain other changes for consistency.
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.
Defines "candidate" for the purpose of provisions concerning early and late candidate vacancies. Modifies the definition of "chute". Defines "scantron" and provides that a scantron complies with certain absentee ballot endorsement requirements if it is endorsed with the initials of certain individuals. Allows a circuit court clerk, voter registration official, or county election board to make certain filings by fax or electronic mail. Extends the: (1) expiration date of a provision concerning local redistricting; and (2) deadline for a redistricting authority to take specified actions. Requires the county election board of a county that is not designated as a vote center county to establish a plan that specifies the method and timing of providing absentee reports to persons who are entitled to receive the reports. Specifies that a nondiscriminatory uniform policy concerning certain voter registration information must apply to all records maintained in the computerized list, including election administration records and absentee activity reports. Requires the NVRA official to conduct, at least once each calendar year, a review and identification of particular voter registration records. Specifies that a provision concerning the delivery, retention, confidentiality, and disposal of election materials does not prohibit county election officials from performing a duty under statutes concerning provisional voting. Exempts a political party office on a primary ballot from the ballot arrangement requirement that all candidates for the same office appear on the same page or screen. Permits certain persons credentialed by the Indiana protection and advocacy services commission to be in the polls during an election. Allows a county election board that adopted a resolution for a primary election allowing absentee voting at satellite offices to amend the resolution, by unanimous vote, to modify, for the subsequent general or municipal election, the locations and hours of the satellite offices. Requires each member of an absentee voter board to sign and print the member's name on a voter's affidavit after the voter has signed and dated the affidavit. Allows a vote center plan amendment to be filed with the election division by fax or electronic mail. Modifies provisions applicable to the notice that must be sent to a voter when a signature mismatch has occurred. Allows a voter to deliver a signature verification affidavit signed by the voter to an absentee voter board at a circuit court clerk's office or satellite location during the period of early voting. Provides that the county election board or board of elections and registration shall not reject an absentee ballot with a missing security envelope signature in certain circumstances if the voter delivers an affidavit of unsigned ballot that is signed by the voter to an absentee voter board at a circuit court clerk's office or satellite location during the period of early voting. Specifies certain employment provisions that apply when a county election board appoints a member of an absentee voter board, absentee ballot counter team, or courier team. Specifies the deadline that applies to fill certain candidate vacancies when the vacancy is due to the successful challenge of a candidate in a judicial proceeding. Prohibits the appointment of a particular person to fill a vacancy by a political party that differs from the party with which the person affiliated when the person was defeated in a primary election or a town or state convention. Specifies the circumstances that create a late candidate vacancy. Extends certain early candidate vacancy provisions to apply to late candidate vacancies. Requires that action to fill a late candidate vacancy be taken not later than 6 a.m. on election day. Modifies a provision concerning the delivery and retention of affidavits. Permits the bureau of motor vehicles to disclose certain identifying information for voter registration and election purposes under certain laws. Prescribes the ballot language for the proposed constitutional amendment that would remove the state superintendent of public instruction from the line of succession to the governor. Makes conforming amendments.
Allows the department of environmental management (IDEM) to pay an excess liability trust fund claim to replace an underground petroleum storage tank being decommissioned and replaced with an underground or aboveground petroleum storage tank. Provides that remaining funds that have not been allocated at the end of the fiscal year shall roll over to the next year and be used to decommission and replace underground petroleum storage tanks.
Amends the remedy procedure to repair a motor vehicle that is subject to a stop sale directive to include new motor vehicles. Requires a purchaser, customer, or transferee of a rebuilt or salvage vehicle to sign a written acknowledgment of receipt of the disclosure for a rebuilt or salvage vehicle. Requires the dealer services division of the secretary of state (secretary) to prescribe the form of the written disclosure for a rebuilt or salvage vehicle. Establishes a required training course that an applicant for a used motor vehicle dealer license must complete in order to obtain a used motor vehicle dealer license. Requires dealers to be able to provide to the secretary dealer records in an electronic format. Provides that a dealer has 10 business days to produce electronic dealer records after an investigating or auditing employee of the secretary requests the records. Requires any item that is not a part of the advertised sale price of a motor vehicle to be a separate line item in the contract for sale or lease. Provides that: (1) the owner, lessor, or operator of a commercial motor vehicle; or (2) 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.
Allows a political subdivision to publish notice in the print or electronic edition of a newspaper or locality newspaper that issues a print edition not more than three times a week. Allows, if a newspaper or locality newspaper issues a print edition not more than two times a week, a political subdivision to publish notice: (1) in the print edition or on the newspaper or locality newspaper's website; or (2) if the newspaper or locality newspaper does not have a website, in the print edition or the political subdivision's official website. Allows a notice regarding the sale of certain tracts of real property by a political subdivision to be published solely on the official website of the political subdivision. Provides that if the assessed value of a tract is less than $10,000, based on the most recent assessment of the tract or of the tract of which it was a part before it was acquired, the disposing agent or redevelopment commission is not required to have the tract appraised.
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. Allows a qualified taxpayer to file a property tax exemption application before September 1, 2024, for eligible property for assessment dates beginning within assessment dates occurring within the six years prior to the assessment date at issue. Provides that if a qualified taxpayer files a property tax exemption application for eligible property: (1) the property tax exemption for the eligible property is allowed and granted for the applicable assessment date by the county assessor and county auditor of the county in which the eligible property is located; and (2) the qualified taxpayer is not required to pay any property taxes, penalties, interest, or tax sale reimbursement expenses with respect to the eligible property for the applicable assessment date. Provides that, to the extent the qualified taxpayer has paid any property taxes, penalties, or interest with respect to the eligible property for an applicable assessment date, the qualified taxpayer is entitled to a refund of the amounts paid.
Requires the justice reinvestment advisory council (council) to conduct a study on criminal indigency determinations by all Indiana trial courts. Requires the council to submit a report containing recommendations on specified topics to the legislative council before July 1, 2025. Changes the name of the Indiana public defender commission to the Indiana commission on court appointed attorneys (commission). Provides that from July 1, 2025, through June 30, 2029, certain counties may be reimbursed for 40% of indigent defense services provided for misdemeanors in a superior or circuit court. (Current law excludes misdemeanors from reimbursement.) Requires the commission to submit a report to the legislative council and the budget committee not later than December 1, 2029, concerning the 40% reimbursement for indigent defense services provided for misdemeanors. Requires each clerk of the court to make an annual report to the commission concerning certain fees. Changes the distribution of fees for indigent defendant representation. Increases certain fees if a court finds a person is able to pay the cost of representation by counsel. Prohibits the commission from: (1) receiving additional appropriations from the general assembly for misdemeanor reimbursement; or (2) reimbursing certain counties for misdemeanor reimbursement; before July 1, 2029. Provides that each court in certain counties receiving reimbursement from the public defense fund shall require a person claiming indigency to submit a uniform form, prescribed by the office of judicial administration, to assist the court in determining whether the person is indigent. Specifies that such courts shall review or designate a staff member to review the form submitted to ensure accuracy of the information contained in the form. Allows such a court to request any additional information needed from the person to verify the accuracy of the information submitted in the form.
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.
Requires that the Indiana department of labor consult with the Indiana department of veterans' affairs to create and distribute a veterans' benefits and services poster. Provides that the veterans' benefits and services poster must contain certain information. Requires that Indiana employers with more than 50 full-time employees (or their equivalent) display the veterans' benefits and services poster in a conspicuous place.
