Prohibits a political subdivision from adopting or enforcing any policy that prohibits or discourages the enforcement of any order or ordinance prohibiting public camping, sleeping, or other obstruction of a sidewalk. Authorizes the attorney general to bring a civil action to enjoin a political subdivision that adopts or enforces such a policy.
Beginning January 1, 2026, provides that from June 21 through September 23 (in addition to the period from December 1 through March 15, under current law) of any year, an electric or gas utility may not terminate residential electric or gas service for an individual who is eligible for and has applied for assistance from a home energy assistance program administered by the lieutenant governor. Amends the same section of the Indiana Code as follows: (1) Prohibits an electric, gas, or water utility from terminating service for any residential customer on any of the following days: (A) A Friday, Saturday, or Sunday. (B) A legal holiday. (C) Any day, or after noon on the day preceding any day, during which customer service representatives of the utility are not available to respond to customer inquiries during regular business hours. (2) Strikes a provision that authorizes the Indiana utility regulatory commission (IURC) to establish a reasonable rate of interest that a utility may charge on the unpaid balance of a delinquent customer bill. (3) Prohibits an electric, gas, or water utility from charging or collecting a deposit or reconnection fee as a condition of, or in connection with, restoring service to a residential customer after a termination of service for nonpayment. Requires the IURC to amend, not later than December 31, 2025, its administrative rules as necessary to conform the rules to these provisions. Requires a utility to: (1) amend its residential tariffs as necessary to conform the tariffs to these provisions; and (2) file with the IURC a petition for approval of each amended tariff; not later than June 15, 2025. Requires a utility that: (1) is under the jurisdiction of the IURC for the approval of rates and charges; and (2) provides residential electric, natural gas, water, or wastewater utility service at retail to customers and low income customers in Indiana; to report to the IURC on a quarterly basis certain data concerning customer accounts and low income customer accounts. Provides that the first reports submitted to the IURC must include the required information with respect to the third calendar quarter of 2025. Provides that: (1) a utility shall report all required information in the aggregate and in a manner that does not identify individual customers and low income customers; and (2) the IURC may not require utilities to disclose confidential and proprietary business information without adequate protection of the information. Requires the IURC to adopt rules to implement these provisions. Provides that, beginning in 2026, the IURC shall annually compile and summarize the information received from utilities for the previous calendar year and include the summary in the IURC's annual report.
Provides that a person having the care of a dependent who recklessly, knowingly, or intentionally fails to secure a loaded firearm in the person's residence or vehicle commits neglect of a dependent, a Level 6 felony, if the dependent uses the firearm to cause bodily injury or death to any person. Enhances the offense to a Level 5 felony in particular instances. Specifies exceptions and defenses. Specifies sign requirements for retail dealers. Defines terms and makes conforming amendments.
SB 512 allows cities, counties, school districts, and other local governments to join together to buy insurance more affordably. It permits these "political subdivisions" to pool their resources to negotiate better insurance rates and coverage. The bill directly affects local governments that purchase insurance for property, liability, or other needs, enabling them to save money through collective purchasing. This is a procedural change that streamlines how local entities access insurance, without altering insurance regulations themselves.
Requires that certain health care providers and hospitals ensure that a Medicaid recipient who gives birth schedules a follow-up appointment for postpartum care not later than 60 days from the date the woman gives birth.
Prohibits plea agreements concerning: (1) promotion of child sexual trafficking; (2) promotion of sexual trafficking of a younger child; (3) child sexual trafficking; or (4) child solicitation; if a term of the plea agreement requires the prosecuting attorney to dismiss a charge in exchange for the defendant's agreement to plead guilty to a less serious offense. Adds facilities that provide entertainment exclusively directed toward children to the list of facilities at which a sexually violent predator or an offender against children may not work or volunteer, and increases the penalty for the offense of unlawful employment by a sexual predator to a Level 4 felony, with an enhancement to a Level 3 felony if the person has a prior conviction based on the violation of a condition of sex offender registration. Provides that a sexually violent predator or an offender against children who knowingly or intentionally is present at a facility that provides entertainment exclusively directed toward children commits attendance at a juvenile entertainment facility by a sex offender, a Level 4 felony, with an enhancement to a Level 3 felony if the person has a prior conviction based on the violation of a condition of sex offender registration.
Provides certain procedural protections for victims of sexual assault, including the rights guaranteed to a victim as they relate to the analysis and preservation of the victim's sexual assault forensic evidence.
SB 98 makes it legal to possess fentanyl test strips, removing them from the category of criminal offenses. This directly affects individuals who use drugs and harm reduction programs, as it allows them to safely test substances without fear of criminal penalties. The key provision is a clear statutory change stating that possessing these strips is not a crime. The bill, currently under review by the Corrections and Criminal Law committee, aims to support public health safety without involving criminal justice consequences.
SB 509 creates a new Class A misdemeanor crime for intentionally intimidating others while wearing a mask. It directly affects individuals who use face coverings to threaten or cause fear in public settings, such as during protests or confrontations. The law defines the offense as intentionally causing fear through masked behavior, with penalties including fines or up to one year in jail. This policy change establishes a specific legal consequence for masked intimidation, separate from other criminal charges.
Requires a person wishing to sell, trade, or transfer (transfer) a firearm to another person to transact the transfer through a dealer and provide the dealer with certain information. Specifies the background checks that a dealer must complete prior to the transaction. Permits a dealer to refuse to transact a firearm transfer. Requires a dealer to abort the transaction in other instances. Specifies requirements for a dealer who refuses to transact or aborts a firearm transfer. Makes a dealer immune from civil liability and damages in certain instances. Makes the offenses of firearm transfer fraud and the unlawful transfer of a firearm Level 6 felonies. Enhances both offenses in particular instances. Specifies exceptions and a defense. Requires a retail dealer to display a sign with language stating that failing to secure a firearm against unauthorized access poses a safety risk to children. Prohibits a licensed importer, licensed manufacturer, licensed dealer, or licensed collector from selling or delivering a: (1) firearm that is not a handgun to a person who is less than 21 years of age; or (2) semiautomatic assault weapon. Defines terms.
Provides that, for an individual who has received a property tax deduction available to certain veterans in a previous year, increases in assessed value that occur after December 31, 2025, are not considered for purposes of determining whether an individual is eligible to receive the deduction. Provides an additional tax deduction for a disabled veteran who rents a dwelling for use as the disabled veteran's principal place of residence.
Extends by three years provisions that apply with regard to an extension of the term of loans or advances from the common school fund for the Gary Community School Corporation, which are set to expire on January 1, 2025. Reinstates the provisions in a new section of the Indiana Code with an extended expiration date of January 1, 2028.
