Healthcare

in committee · Indiana · Senate Feb 3, 2026

SR 20: Urging the Indiana Senate to create a Mental Health Task Force.

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.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill explicitly urges creation of mental health task force, directly supporting mental health services within healthcare framework as per topic definition.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Mental Health

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in committee · Indiana · Senate Jan 22, 2026

SB 68: Accelerated graduate degree programs.

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.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill requires evaluation of accelerated mental health graduate programs to enable faster completion (1 year), enhancing higher education accessibility and program efficiency per curriculum focus.85% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareAccelerates mental health professional training to expand workforce capacity, directly supporting behavioral health service access and provider licensing pathways.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education Mental Health

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in committee · Indiana · Senate Jan 8, 2026

SB 117: Sales tax exemption for menstrual discharge collection devices.

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.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesExempts essential health items from sales tax, providing direct tax relief to consumers, aligning with support indicators for lower-income tax relief.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareExempts essential menstrual health products from sales tax, reducing cost barriers and improving access to healthcare services per bill's focus on affordability of health items.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Business Taxes Sales Tax Tax Incentives

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in committee · Indiana · House Jan 8, 2026

HB 1402: Restrictions on location of tobacco and vaping shops.

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.)

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill restricts tobacco/vaping near schools (3,520 ft vs 1,000 ft), aligning with public health initiatives to reduce youth access and prevent tobacco-related health issues.85% confidence

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in committee · Indiana · House Jan 5, 2026

HB 1224: Indiana vaccination adverse event reporting system.

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.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareCreates mandatory adverse event reporting system for childhood vaccines, enhancing public health monitoring and safety protocols under Indiana's health department.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Children's Health Public Health

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in committee · Indiana · House Jan 5, 2026

HB 1159: Prekindergarten vision screening.

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

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates vision screening for pre-K children under HEALTH subjects, advancing preventive health access through school-based care for early detection.95% confidence

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in committee · Indiana · Senate Jan 5, 2026

SB 155: Doula program.

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.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareState-funded doula program expands maternal care access in underserved communities, directly strengthening healthcare services and improving patient access per bill's explicit funding and scope.95% confidence

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in committee · Indiana · Senate Jan 5, 2026

SB 178: Payment of insurance claims.

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.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcarePrevents insurers/HMOs from adjusting claims to recover prior overpayments, protecting provider revenue and ensuring fair payment practices in health insurance.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Insurance

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passed · Indiana · House Feb 19, 2026

HB 1040: Battery against school and healthcare employees.

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.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeIncreases penalties for battery against healthcare/school employees, strengthening criminal accountability for assaults on vulnerable workers per Criminal Law subjects.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill increases penalties for battery against healthcare employees, directly protecting healthcare professionals as specified in subjects and summary.90% confidence

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in committee · Indiana · House Jan 8, 2026

HB 1383: Military health care personnel pathways.

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.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill creates pathways for military healthcare personnel to achieve credentials faster, enhancing workforce availability for healthcare services.85% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransCreates accelerated credentialing pathways for military health care personnel (including veterans) to enter civilian healthcare careers, supporting veteran employment transitions.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Medical Licensing Veteran Education Veteran Employment

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