Rep. Joanna King

Maddy summaryHB 1215 would authorize LaGrange County to raise its innkeeper's tax rate from 5% to a maximum of 8% under the state's existing uniform innkeeper's tax law. This change would directly affect hotels and short-term rental businesses in LaGrange County, as they would collect the higher tax from guests staying overnight. The bill provides the county with the legal authority to adjust the rate within the state's established framework, without creating a new tax or altering broader tax policies.

Prohibits a pharmacy benefit manager from taking certain actions. Requires a pharmacy benefit manager to submit a report to the insurance commissioner every six months. (Current law requires a pharmacy benefit manager to submit the report annually.) Provides that if a contract holder requests an audit of compliance with the contract from a pharmacy benefit manager, the pharmacy benefit manager must provide the audit requested to the contract holder not later than 30 business days after receiving the request. Removes the provision specifying that the files or forms disclosed to the contract holder by the pharmacy benefit manager as part of an audit of compliance with the contract may be modified to redact trade secrets. Establishes civil penalties that the department of insurance (department) shall impose for a violation of the provisions concerning pharmacy benefit managers. Requires a pharmacy benefit manager to provide additional information in the pharmacy benefit manager's report to the department. Requires, after June 30, 2025, a health payer to include information relating to prescription drug pricing in the data submitted to the all payer claims data base by the health payer. Requires a health plan to credit toward a covered individual's deductible and annual maximum out-of-pocket expenses any amount the covered individual pays directly to any health care provider for a medically necessary covered health care service if a claim for the health care service is not submitted to the health plan and the amount paid by the covered individual to the health care provider is less than the average discounted rate for the health care service paid to a health care provider in the health plan's network.

Allows the judges of the Elkhart circuit and superior courts to appoint five full-time magistrates. (Current law allows for the appointment of two magistrates.)

Provides that a person may not advertise a product containing marijuana or a marijuana business by any medium within the borders of Indiana. Provides that the attorney general may seek civil penalties, an injunction, and other costs for violations. Provides that civil penalties shall be deposited in the state general fund. Provides that the chapter added by this act expires on July 1 following the date that the federal government removes marijuana as a schedule I controlled substance.

Requires the Indiana department of health (state department) to: (1) create a video for practitioners concerning the state's abortion laws and the standard of care for treating pregnant women with life threatening conditions; and (2) publish the video on its website. Specifies the information to be included in the video. Requires a hospital and ambulatory outpatient surgical center to: (1) review its protocol for abortion; (2) require certain practitioners to watch the video; and (3) certify to the state department compliance with these provisions.

Requires a specified school to adopt policies and procedures concerning material alleged to be pornographic, obscene, or harmful to minors. Provides that a specified school or an employee, a contractor, or a third party vendor of a specified school may not knowingly make available or provide pornographic material, obscene matter, or matter harmful to minors to a student.

Provides that except when the state or a political subdivision is allowed to use funds under its control for the performance of an abortion necessary to preserve the life of a pregnant woman, an Indiana governmental entity is prohibited from doing any of the following: (1) Making a payment from any fund for the performance of or costs associated with procuring an abortion. (2) Allowing the use of funds controlled by a hospital or ambulatory outpatient surgical center affiliated with the Indiana governmental entity for the performance of or costs associated with procuring an abortion. (3) Making a payment or grant from any fund under its control to an organization that performs abortions, makes referrals for individuals to obtain abortions, or uses public funds for the performance of or costs associated with procuring an abortion. Provides that the prohibition does not apply to a private entity's funds controlled by the private entity.

Allows a certified registered nurse anesthetist (CRNA) to administer anesthesia under the direction of and in the immediate presence of a physician, podiatrist, or dentist. (Under current law, a CRNA may administer anesthesia under the direction of and in the immediate presence of a physician.) Provides that a physician, podiatrist, or dentist is not liable for any act or omission of a CRNA who administers anesthesia. Makes corresponding changes.

Defines "antisemitism", specifies that the public policy of the state is to provide educational opportunities free of religious discrimination, and provides that antisemitism is discrimination on the basis of race, creed, religion, or national origin.

Prohibits a retail establishment from holding more than one active tobacco sales certificate (certificate) for a retail location at any time. Prohibits the alcohol and tobacco commission (commission) from issuing a certificate to certain persons. Provides that, if a majority interest in a business that holds a certificate is sold or transferred: (1) the new ownership must apply for a new certificate; and (2) the certificate and permit number held by the previous ownership are void 90 days after the sale or transfer of the ownership of the business. Specifies that an employee of a certificate holder (employee) must hold a valid: (1) driver's license issued by the state of Indiana or another state; or (2) identification card issued by the state of Indiana, another state, or the United States; to sell tobacco products. Requires an employee to have the driver's license, identification card, or a copy of these documents readily available to show an excise officer or law enforcement when selling tobacco products. Allows an employee who is unable to show these documents to provide certain evidence within five days. Permits the commission to impose a civil penalty on the certificate holder if an employee fails to timely produce this evidence. Provides that a person who recklessly, knowingly, or intentionally sells a tobacco product without a valid certificate commits a Class C infraction. Makes it a Class C misdemeanor for a person to operate a tobacco and vaping business within 1,000 feet of school property. Specifies exceptions.