Rep. Ethan Manning

Specifies that the horse racing commission (IHRC) may adopt rules that incorporate by reference the most current version of the model rules adopted by the Association of Racing Commissioners International. Removes certain obsolete references to emergency rules. Requires a permit holder to own the real property, including buildings, structures, and other improvements, on which a horse racing meeting is to be conducted. Prohibits a permit issued for a horse racing meeting from being leased. Provides that judges and stewards may suspend a license for not more than three years on behalf of the IHRC. (Current law allows judges and stewards to suspend a license for not more than one year on behalf of the IHRC.) Provides that the suspension of a license or the imposition of certain civil penalties must occur within 365 days after the date of the violation (instead of 180 days as required by current law). Provides that a horse's veterinary medical records and medical condition must be furnished within five business days without written client authorization to the IHRC as part of an investigation in which a horse under the care, control, or ownership of a licensee has been treated by a veterinarian.

Excludes from Indiana adjusted gross income distributions made from a 529 college choice education savings plan (529 account) that are not used to pay qualified higher education expenses but that satisfy each of the requirements under Section 126 of the SECURE 2.0 Act of 2022. Provides that such distributions are not subject to the: (1) penalty provisions established by the board of directors of the Indiana education savings authority; or (2) repayment provisions for the income tax credit for contributions to an individual's 529 account.

Provides, after December 31, 2024, the following protections to an individual who is less than 65 years of age and is eligible for and enrolled in Medicare by reason of a disability or having end stage renal disease: (1) Requires an issuer of Medicare supplement policies or certificates (issuer) to make available to the individual the equivalent Medicare supplement policy or certificate that the issuer makes available to a person at least 65 years of age. (2) Provides that an issuer required to make a Medicare supplement policy or certificate available to the individual is prohibited from denying, conditioning the issuance or effectiveness of, or discriminating in the pricing of a Medicare supplement policy or certificate for the individual because of the health status, claims experience, receipt of health care, or medical condition of the individual, subject to certain conditions. (3) Prohibits an issuer: (A) from charging the individual a premium rate for a Medicare supplement policy or certificate that exceeds the premium rate the issuer charges an individual who is 65 years of age; or (B) from issuing to the individual a Medicare supplement policy or certificate that contains a waiting period or a preexisting condition limitation or exclusion; subject to certain conditions.

Requires a manufacturer of a piece of agricultural equipment that is sold in Indiana, subject to certain exceptions, to: (1) provide to an independent service provider or owner of the agricultural equipment any service documentation the manufacturer provides to its authorized service providers; and (2) make available for purchase, upon reasonable terms, any part or tool the manufacturer provides to its authorized service providers. Provides that a violation of the requirements is: (1) actionable by the attorney general; and (2) subject to the remedies and penalties that apply to a deceptive consumer sales practice.

Defines "J-turn intersection". Adds a provision allowing the general assembly to pass a bill that disapproves funding for one or more projects on the Indiana department of transportation's project priority list. Prohibits money in the state highway fund from being used for the study, design, development, survey, construction, reconstruction, operation, or maintenance of a J-turn intersection that is not completed before June 30, 2024.

Adds capital projects, technology upgrades, and operational expenses for certain county hospitals to the definition of "public safety" for purposes of local income tax revenue use. Increases the maximum local income tax that may be imposed in certain counties if a tax rate is adopted for purposes related to certain hospitals located in the county. Establishes the Indiana rural hospital and critical health care services fund (rural health care services fund) for the purpose of awarding grants to certain rural hospitals. Provides that the Indiana department of health (state department) administers the rural health care services fund. Establishes the following: (1) The health workforce student loan repayment program (program). (2) The health workforce advisory board (advisory board). (3) The health workforce student loan repayment program fund (repayment program fund) for the purpose of providing funds to repay outstanding student loans of certain health providers who meet the program requirements. Provides that the state department shall administer the program and repayment program fund. Establishes: (1) the imposition of fees at the time a license is issued or renewed for certain health profession licenses; and (2) qualifications to receive a student loan repayment award under the program. Provides that, beginning July 1, 2025, the state department and each board included in the program may award a student loan repayment to an eligible applicant who is a provider licensed by the board. Provides that money in the repayment program fund is continuously appropriated. Repeals provisions concerning the following: (1) The primary care physician loan forgiveness program. (2) The mental health services development programs. (3) The dental underserved area and minority recruitment program. Urges the legislative council to assign to an appropriate interim study committee the task of studying topics related to the rural health care services fund. Urges the legislative council to assign to an appropriate study committee the task of studying certain topics related to health care services.

Creates a procedure to establish a community infrastructure improvement district (district). Specifies that the procedure added by the bill allowing for the establishment of a district does not authorize the unit to establish a district that overlaps with an economic improvement district. Requires a petition for the establishment of a district to include a rate and methodology report. Specifies the contents of the report. Specifies the basis upon which benefits accruing to parcels of real property within a district may be apportioned among those parcels. Requires a determination that the aggregate assessments within a district: (1) do not exceed 30% of the projected assessed value of property within the district; or (2) in the case of a district that is established for single family residences, do not exceed 10% of the projected assessed value per single family residence within the district; before a legislative body may adopt an ordinance to establish a district. Requires a community infrastructure improvement board (board) to assist the county treasurer in order to make certain specified determinations and designations regarding annual assessments within a district. Adds specific provisions that apply to the board's issuance of revenue bonds. Sunsets these provisions after five years.

Requires a hospital to establish a nurse staffing council or assign the functions of the council to an entity in the hospital to develop a nurse staffing plan and review any reported deviations from the plan. Prohibits a hospital from taking certain actions against an employee or contract worker for filing a deviation report. Prohibits a hospital, ambulatory outpatient surgical center, health facility, or residential care facility from requiring a registered nurse or licensed practical nurse to work mandatory overtime. Establishes exceptions. Prohibits a hospital, ambulatory outpatient surgical center, health facility, or residential care facility from taking certain actions against an employee who does not consent to work mandatory overtime.

Provides that, subject to certain procedures and requirements, the office of the secretary of family and social services may apply to the United States Department of Health and Human Services: (1) for a Medicaid state plan amendment, a waiver, or an amendment to an existing waiver to require reimbursement for eligible certified community behavioral health clinic services; or (2) to participate in the expansion of a community mental health services demonstration program. Requires the division of mental health and addiction to establish and maintain a help line: (1) to provide confidential emotional support and referrals to certain resources to individuals who call the help line; and (2) that is accessible by calling a toll free telephone number. Establishes the Indiana behavioral health commission (commission) and sets forth the commission's membership. Changes the name of the "9-8-8 crisis hotline center" to "9-8-8 crisis response center". Makes conforming changes.

Provides that beginning July 1, 2023, a primary care physician and an employer may not enter into a noncompete agreement. Provides that beginning July 1, 2023, a physician noncompete agreement is not enforceable if any of the following circumstances occur: (1) The employer terminates the physician's employment without cause. (2) The physician terminates the physician's employment for cause. (3) The physician's employment contract has expired and the physician and employer have fulfilled the obligations of the contract. Specifies a process by which a physician or employer may pursue mediation to determine a reasonable price to purchase a release from a noncompete agreement.