Criminal Justice (Corrections)

Requires each public school, state educational institution, correctional facility, juvenile detention facility, and certain governmental entities to designate a multiple occupancy restroom or changing area as follows: (1) For the exclusive use of the male sex. (2) For the exclusive use of the female sex. Provides, with exceptions, that an individual may only use a multiple occupancy restroom or changing area that is designated for the sex that is the individual's sex, as determined at birth in accordance with the individual's genetics and reproductive biology. Establishes a civil action for a violation of these provisions. Prohibits each public school, correctional facility, state educational institution, juvenile detention facility, and certain governmental entities from requiring certain individuals to share sleeping quarters with a member of the opposite sex, as determined at birth in accordance with the individual's genetics and reproductive biology, unless the individual who is a member of the opposite sex is a family member. Establishes a civil action for a violation of these provisions.

HB 1191 decriminalizes the possession of two ounces or less of marijuana by removing criminal penalties for this offense. Instead of facing jail time or criminal charges, individuals caught with this amount would likely receive a civil fine. The bill directly affects people in the state who possess small quantities of marijuana for personal use. It focuses solely on possession, not cultivation, sale, or use in public spaces.

Provides that the law enforcement training board (board) shall select an executive director to serve at the pleasure of the board. Authorizes the waiver of certain training requirements for law enforcement officers with experience in other states. Provides that a person confined to a county jail may be required to make a copayment in an amount of not more than $30 (current law is $15). Provides that a person confined to a county jail is not required to make a certain copayment if, among other things, the person does not have funds in the person's commissary account or trust account within 180 days after the service is provided (current law is 60 days). Requires certain water vessels to include an engine cut-off switch. Provides that a sailing vessel at least seven meters in length must comply with federal regulations. Makes changes to the employment eligibility requirements for employees of the Indiana department of veterans' affairs (department). Makes changes to the purpose of the military family relief fund (fund). Provides that the department shall report to the Indiana veterans' affairs commission (commission), at least quarterly, as to the status of all applications regarding assistance from the fund during the previous quarter. Adds provisions indicating who is eligible for a grant from the fund. Provides that the department shall make a comprehensive assessment of an applicant's financial condition and needs when making a determination regarding an award from the fund. Provides that an applicant may not be eligible for assistance from the fund if the applicant's federal gross income, or the combined federal gross income of the applicant and the applicant's spouse, exceeds two times the poverty guideline unless the commission approves an income waiver. Provides that an applicant must establish that the applicant has incurred a genuine hardship to be eligible to receive assistance from the fund. Provides that the department or commission may impose stipulations or conditions concerning an applicant seeking an award from the fund. Makes changes to the subject matter that must be included in administrative rules established by the commission. Makes certain changes relating to the review of grants from the fund to employees of the department. Provides that an applicant may appeal a denied request for short term financial assistance from the fund. Authorizes the adjutant general of the Indiana National Guard (adjutant general) to establish a military police force of the Indiana National Guard. Provides that a member of the military police force of the Indiana National Guard has police powers: (1) when the member is called to state active duty; and (2) if the individual successfully completes either army or air military police occupational training and receives qualifying instruction on Indiana law enforcement prescribed by the adjutant general. Requires the military police force of the Indiana National Guard, upon authorization, to respond in accordance with the National Incident Management System and in coordination with the Indiana state police. Makes changes to the authorized duties and responsibilities of the adjutant general in which the state armory board (board) may make contributions. Provides that the board may utilize any and all appropriate methods to lease or purchase real estate. Provides that an armory may not be erected on land that is leased for less than 25 years. (Current law provides that an armory may not be erected on land that is leased for less than 50 years.) Provides that the board may adopt policies or procedures for the use and governance of armories. (Current law authorizes the board to adopt rules for the use and governance of armories.) Specifies the types of donated property that the board may reconvey if the board determines that the property is no longer usable. Provides that if the board receives from the adjutant general information of the disbandment of the organization of the armed forces of Indiana occupying and using an armory, the board shall take charge of the armory. Makes various changes to provisions relating to the sale of property owned by the board. Establishes the Indiana civilian cyber corps program (program) as a subdivision of the Indiana guard reserve. Provides that the program includes civilian volunteers who have expertise in addressing cybersecurity incidents and who volunteer at the invitation of the adjutant general. Provides that the work product of a civilian cyber corps volunteer or adviser, including any information voluntarily submitted to the volunteer or adviser, is exempt from disclosure. Provides that a civilian cyber corps volunteer or adviser is immune from tort liability for an injury to a person or damage to property that occurs while the volunteer or adviser is deployed and acting on behalf of the adjutant general if certain conditions are met. Provides that the adjutant general may appoint additional general officers. (Current law authorizes the appointment of assistant adjutants general.) Changes the definitions of "veteran" for purposes of provisions relating to: (1) the governor's commission on supplier diversity; (2) the state civil service system; and (3) authorizing preference points for the appointment of veterans. Removes a requirement that the National Guard tuition supplement grant must be used within eight years after the date the individual first applies and becomes eligible for benefits. Repeals: (1) the Indiana cyber civilian corps program advisory board; (2) a provision relating to contracts to use Stout Field as a commercial runway; (3) a definition of "qualified service member"; (4) a provision requiring a muffler or underwater exhaust for a boat; and (5) a provision prohibiting the use of a boat motor equipped with a muffler cutout or bypass. Makes it a Class B misdemeanor for a person to knowingly or intentionally possess an imitation firearm: (1) in or on school property; or (2) on a school bus. Makes technical corrections and conforming amendments.

SB 190, titled "Crimes concerning gift cards," establishes two new offenses: gift card theft (a Class A misdemeanor) and gift card fraud (a Level 6 felony). It directly affects individuals who steal physical gift cards or fraudulently use stolen or counterfeit cards without authorization. The bill defines theft as taking a gift card without permission and fraud as intentionally using a stolen or counterfeit card to obtain goods or services. If passed, these provisions would create specific criminal penalties for these acts, with theft punishable by up to one year in jail and fraud by up to two years. The bill is currently in committee review after its introduction on January 6, 2026.

Provides that the law enforcement training board (board) shall select an executive director to serve at the pleasure of the board. Provides that a person confined to a county jail may be required to make a copayment in an amount of not more than $30 (current law is $15). Provides that a person confined to a county jail is not required to make a certain copayment if, among other things, the person does not have funds in the person's commissary account or trust account within 180 days after the service is provided (current law is 60 days). Provides that a correctional professional is considered a public safety officer for purposes of determining eligibility for line of duty death benefits. (Current law provides that a correctional officer is considered a public safety officer for determining eligibility for line of duty death benefits.) Provides a process for certain sex and sex or violent offenders to submit certain information to the department of correction (department) regarding sex offender status in other states or jurisdictions. Provides that a person who is a: (1) sex offender; or (2) sex or violent offender; shall register for the period required by another jurisdiction or the period in Indiana, whichever is longer. Repeals the integrated public safety commission. Establishes the Indiana department of emergency communications. Changes the name of the "integrated public safety communications fund" to the "emergency communications fund". Provides that if: (1) the department releases a child who is a ward of the department; and (2) the child is less than 18 years of age; the department's wardship of the child ends. Provides that if a child who is a ward of the department is released and no parent or guardian allows the child to live with them, the department must immediately notify a certain court that the child needs to be a ward of the department of child services. Provides that the department is not required to send certain notices sent by offenders within the jurisdiction of the department by registered or certified mail. Makes it a Class B misdemeanor for a person to knowingly or intentionally possess an imitation firearm: (1) in or on school property; or (2) on a school bus. Provides that the department of emergency communications shall issue a request for proposals (RFP) for the purchase, or before issuing a change order, of any communications systems and equipment by the department that may be made available to public safety agencies. Provides that the communications equipment must be compatible with existing communications equipment used by public safety agencies. Provides that proposals shall be evaluated and awarded on a competitive basis using a scoring rubric established by the department. Makes conforming changes.

Provides that a person who commits a criminal offense commits a separate offense for each victim of the offense. Requires the department of correction to weekly transport sentenced offenders from the Marion County adult detention center to the appropriate correctional facility. Removes a provision allowing an automatic change of judge when a judge rejects a plea agreement in a misdemeanor case. Allows the state to appeal a sentence in a criminal case. Makes sentences nonsuspendible for: (1) crimes of violence; and (2) persons charged with a felony who have a prior felony conviction. Provides that an inmate may earn not more than six months of educational credit for participating in an individualized case management plan. Increases the penalty for invasion of privacy if the crime is committed by a person against whom domestic battery charges are pending. Provides that crimes committed against different victims during the same episode of criminal conduct do not count against the sentencing cap that applies to crimes committed as part of the same episode of criminal conduct. Specifies that persons convicted of certain crimes may not participate in a community corrections program. Increases the penalty for: (1) reckless homicide; (2) involuntary manslaughter; and (3) reckless supervision; to a Level 4 felony. Establishes the public prosecution fund and a prosecuting attorney compensation fee of $40, which will be deposited in the public prosecution fund. Provides that a county may be reimbursed for certain prosecutorial expenses from the fund, unless the prosecuting attorney in the county is a noncompliant prosecuting attorney. Requires the Indiana prosecuting attorney's council to set standards for reimbursement. Makes it malicious littering, a Class A misdemeanor, for a person to place refuse on the property of another person with the intent to cause the owner or occupant of the property to reasonably fear for their physical safety.