Rep. Heath VanNatter

Provides that if, after the occurrence of an accident, compensation is paid for temporary total disability or temporary partial disability, then the two year limitation period to file an application for adjustment of claim begins to run on the last date for which the compensation was paid. Increases benefits for injuries and disablements by 3% each year for four years, beginning on July 1, 2023. Adds an ambulatory outpatient surgical center to the definition of "medical service facility" under the worker's compensation law. Makes certain changes to the definition of "pecuniary liability". Establishes clean claim payment requirements related to worker's compensation claims. Removes outdated language. Makes conforming amendments.

Requires the long term and short term disability plans for state employees to provide on a biweekly basis, after a seven day elimination period, 100% of qualified wages for a correctional officer employed by the department of correction who is disabled by injuries resulting from certain tortious acts. Requires the state personnel department to amend a section of the Indiana Administrative Code. Provides as follows beginning July 1, 2023: (1) Specifies the meaning of a death in the line of duty as it relates to a county coroner or deputy county coroner. (2) Adds county coroners and deputy county coroners to the list of: (A) public safety officers whose relative receives a special death benefit if the officer dies in the line of duty; and (B) employees who may qualify for a presumption of disability or death in the line of duty. (3) Adds county coroners and deputy county coroners to the list of designated Indiana first responders. Makes conforming technical corrections.

Reaffirming the commitment of sister ties between Indiana and Taiwan.

Amends and updates certain terms involving direct placement in a community corrections program. Updates the definition of "community corrections program". Specifies that a court may suspend any portion of a sentence and order a person to be placed in a community corrections program for the part of the sentence which must be executed. Provides that a person placed on a level of supervision as part of a community corrections program: (1) is entitled to earned good time credit; (2) may not earn educational credit; and (3) may be deprived of earned good time credit. Provides that when a person completes a placement program, the court may place the person on probation. Provides that a court may commit a person convicted of a Level 6 felony for an offense committed after June 30, 2022, to the department of correction (department), and that, consistent with current law, a court may commit a person convicted of a Level 6 felony for an offense committed before July 1, 2022, to the department only if certain circumstances exist. Establishes certain conditions of parole for a person on lifetime parole and makes the violation of parole conditions and commission of specified other acts by a person on lifetime parole a Level 6 felony, with an enhancement to a Level 5 felony for a second or subsequent offense. Provides that, for purposes of calculating accrued time and good time credit, a calendar day includes a partial calendar day. Makes conforming changes.

Urging the Legislative Council to assign to an appropriate study committee the topic of financial security in retirement for all Hoosiers.

Amends the content of the statement that is required to be included on an authorization form for deducting school employee organization dues from school employee pay. Provides that the provision regarding the content of the statement applies only to collective bargaining agreements or contracts entered into, renewed, modified, extended, or amended after June 30, 2022.

Allows the secretary of family and social services (secretary) to issue a waiver of human services statutory provisions and administrative rules if the secretary determines that the waiver is necessary to claim certain enhanced federal matching funds available to the Medicaid program. Allows the secretary to issue an emergency declaration for purposes of participating in specified authorized federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) emergency allotments. Requires the secretary to prepare and submit any waivers or emergency declarations to the budget committee. Allows the state health commissioner of the state department of health or the commissioner's designated public health authority to issue standing orders, prescriptions, or protocols to administer or dispense certain immunizations for individuals who are at least five years old (current law limits the age for the commissioner's issuance of standing orders, prescriptions, and protocols for individuals who are at least 11 years old). Defines "Indiana governmental entity" and specifies that an Indiana governmental entity (current law refers to a state or local unit) may not issue or require an immunization passport. Provides that an individual is not disqualified from unemployment benefits if the individual has complied with the requirements for seeking an exemption from an employer's COVID-19 immunization requirements and was discharged from employment for failing or refusing to receive an immunization against COVID-19. Provides that an employer may not impose a requirement that employees receive an immunization against COVID-19 unless the employer provides individual exemptions that allow an employee to opt out of the requirement on the basis of medical reasons, religious reasons, or immunity from COVID-19 acquired from a prior infection with COVID-19.

Repeals the law that requires a person to obtain a license to carry a handgun in Indiana. Specifies that certain persons who are not otherwise prohibited from carrying or possessing a handgun are not required to obtain or possess a license or permit from the state to carry a handgun in Indiana. Prohibits certain individuals from knowingly or intentionally carrying a handgun. Creates the crime of "unlawful carrying of a handgun" and specifies the penalties for committing this crime. Allows particular individuals who do not meet the requirements to receive a handgun license and are not otherwise prohibited to carry a handgun in limited places. Allows a resident of Indiana to obtain in certain circumstances a license to carry a handgun in Indiana. Makes theft of a firearm a Level 5 felony. Defines certain terms. Makes conforming amendments and repeals obsolete provisions.

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION recognizing Wednesday, February 16, 2022, as a day to honor the work and mission of the regions of the American Red Cross serving the state of Indiana.

Establishes various work search requirements for the purpose of unemployment compensation. Provides that the department of workforce development (department) shall establish a process to share information with an individual who is receiving unemployment benefits regarding open positions that are submitted to a job board that is administered by a state agency. Requires the department to refer individuals to the open positions. Requires the department to perform certain cross-check activities to verify an individual's eligibility for unemployment benefits. Provides that the department shall cooperate and enter into a memorandum of understanding with the family and social services administration and the Indiana housing and community development authority to share information concerning whether an individual who receives benefits becomes employed. Requires an employer to report to the department if the employer offers paid work to an individual and the individual refuses the offer of work. Specifies that an employer is not required to report an individual's refusal of work if the employer has reason to believe that the individual is employed at the time the offer was made.