Healthcare

This bill (SR 20) is a Senate Resolution introduced by Senator Ford J.D. It urges the Indiana Senate to establish a Mental Health Task Force. The resolution does not create the task force itself but formally requests the Senate take this action. The task force would likely focus on addressing mental health issues within Indiana, though the resolution does not specify its exact duties or composition. As a procedural resolution, it has no binding effect and requires the Senate to act on the recommendation.

Requires each state educational institution that offers a two year graduate degree program in mental or behavioral health to evaluate the graduate degree program to determine the feasibility of providing the program in a specifically structured manner to allow full-time students to complete the program within: (1) one year; or (2) five years if the program is combined with a baccalaureate degree program. Requires certain state educational institutions to offer at least one graduate degree program in one or more certain disciplines that is structured to allow full-time students to complete the program within: (1) one year; or (2) five years if the program is combined with a baccalaureate degree program. Requires certain state educational institutions to report to the commission for higher education (commission) regarding the graduate degree programs. Requires the commission to post the submitted reports on the commission's website.

SB 117 would exempt menstrual discharge collection devices (commonly known as period products like tampons and menstrual cups) from state sales tax. This means consumers purchasing these essential health items would pay no sales tax at checkout, directly reducing costs for people who use them. The bill’s key provision is a specific tax exemption, shifting the financial burden from buyers to the state treasury for these products. It does not alter product availability, safety standards, or existing health coverage.

Amends a provision to prohibit the operation of a tobacco and vaping business within 3,520 feet of certain school buildings. (Current law requires 1,000 feet.)

Requires the Indiana department of health (department) to establish an Indiana vaccination adverse event reporting system (IVAERS) for reporting the occurrence of adverse events relating to childhood vaccines. Provides that IVAERS must enable a health care provider to report the occurrence of an adverse event experienced by a child residing in Indiana who is under the care of the health care provider. Requires the department to create a searchable Internet data base for publishing information reported through IVAERS. Provides that the health information of a particular individual is confidential. Specifies the requirements for releasing health information of a particular individual and who may receive the information. Provides that a person who knowingly, intentionally, or recklessly discloses confidential information received through IVAERS in violation of the statute commits a Class A misdemeanor. Requires the department to adopt certain rules concerning IVAERS. Makes an appropriation.

Requires the governing body of each school corporation to conduct vision testing for prekindergarten children. Allows for the use of electronic eye charts.

SB 155 requires the Office of the Secretary of Family and Social Services to create and run a state-funded doula program. The program will provide support during pregnancy and childbirth to individuals seeking maternal care assistance, particularly in communities with limited access to such services. Key provisions include the office developing specific program components, though the abstract doesn't detail exact requirements like eligibility or funding levels. This bill directly affects people needing doula services and the state agency responsible for implementing the program.

Provides that an insurer may not adjust a subsequent claim filed by a provider as a method of obtaining reimbursement of an overpayment made by the insurer on a prior claim by the provider. Provides that a health maintenance organization may not adjust a subsequent claim filed by a provider as a method of obtaining reimbursement of an overpayment made by the health maintenance organization on a prior claim by the provider. Provides that an insurer may not, more than one year after the date on which an overpayment on a provider claim was made to the provider by the insurer, request that the provider repay the overpayment (current law is two years). Provides that a health maintenance organization may not, more than one year after the date on which an overpayment on a provider claim was made to the provider by the health maintenance organization, request that the provider repay the overpayment (current law is two years). Makes conforming changes.

Increases the penalty for battery on certain health care employees and school employees. Specifies that the enhancement for battery committed against a department of child services (DCS) employee applies only to those DCS employees whose responsibilities include personally supervising a child or parent, personally providing services to a child or parent, or personally interviewing a child or parent as part of an investigation. Requires the employer of a health care or school employee who is the victim of battery to make a semiannual report to the department of labor concerning workplace batteries.

Provides that an institution may develop academic career pathways and integrated academic bridge programs (program) for military health care personnel that are designed to enable current and former military health care personnel to achieve credentialing outcomes in reduced time. Creates program parameters and requirements. Requires a participating institution to submit certain program information to the legislative council. Requires an institution that participates in a program to coordinate with the United States Department of Labor and the Indiana department of veterans' affairs. Provides that the Indiana professional licensing agency shall collaborate with participating institutions to integrate academic career pathways and academic bridge programs for military health care personnel into the agency's licensure requirements.