Rep. Cory Criswell

Maddy summaryHB 1091 increases penalties for sexual battery committed against law enforcement officers by raising the offense to a higher criminal category. It directly affects officers who are victims of such crimes and requires courts to apply stricter sentencing guidelines. The key provision modifies existing sentencing rules to impose longer prison terms or enhanced fines for these specific cases. This bill focuses on strengthening legal consequences for attacks on public safety personnel, without altering broader legal definitions or creating new offenses.

Provides an adjusted gross income tax credit for retired farmers who sell or lease farmland or sell livestock to a qualified beginning farmer. Defines "qualified beginning farmer" and "farmland" for purposes of the credit. Allows a taxpayer to apply to the Indiana state department of agriculture (ISDA) for approval and certification of the credit. Allows a beginning farmer to apply to the ISDA for certification as a qualified beginning farmer. Specifies the amount of the credit that may be claimed by a taxpayer. Limits the total amount of tax credits that may be awarded to $1,000,000 per state fiscal year. Sunsets the credit after six years.

Reduces the number of hours an applicant for a cosmetology license must have in order to take the cosmetology licensure examination from 1,500 to 1,000. Reduces the number of hours an applicant for a beauty culture instructor license must have in order to take the beauty culture instructor licensure examination from 1,000 to 500. Reduces the number of hours an applicant for a barber license must have in order to take the barber licensure examination from 1,500 to 1,000. Makes corresponding changes.

Maddy summaryHB 1323 exempts certain individuals from specific licensing requirements when applying for their first teaching license. It directly affects new educators seeking an initial practitioner license who meet the bill's defined criteria. The key provision removes barriers related to certain educational prerequisites or assessments for these applicants. This change aims to streamline the licensing process for qualifying individuals without altering core teaching standards.

Repeals provisions concerning municipal elections in small towns located outside Marion County, including provisions that allow for the creation of a town election board. Provides that a municipal election in a certain town or city with a population of less than 3,500 may be held only in an even-numbered year and only at the same time as a primary or general election. Requires the county election board to conduct the elections. Specifies that an officeholder in a municipality whose term was scheduled to expire on November 2, 2027, is entitled to remain in office until a successor is elected on November 7, 2028, qualified, and begins the successor's term on January 1, 2029. Makes conforming amendments.

Establishes the office of school safety (office) within the department of homeland security. Requires the office to: (1) function as a central repository for best practices regarding school safety; (2) establish certain school safety guidelines and standards; and (3) monitor the implementation of school safety legislation. Allows the office, at the request of a county school safety commission, to: (1) review school safety plans; (2) provide onsite safety reviews; and (3) provide guidance or assistance relating to school safety matters. Requires the office to maintain a public website containing certain information. Provides that the secured school safety board must review school safety grant expenditures and submit an annual report to the office. Creates certain responsibilities for multi-disciplinary threat assessment teams upon receipt of a report of a threat or threatening behavior. Repeals the division of school building physical security and safety established within the department of education.

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION urging the Indiana Department of Transportation to rename that portion of State Road 5 from State Road 218 to State Road 22 the "Ralph Duckwall Memorial Highway".

Provides that the fee approved by a county fiscal body to be charged by a county treasurer for providing a receipt of a property tax payment made to the county treasurer may not exceed the greater of: (1) $1; or (2) the actual cost to the county treasurer of copying the document.

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.

Allows a bar or restaurant (retailer) to prepare, sell, and deliver alcoholic beverages for carry-out to a customer on the licensed premises in sealed, nonoriginal containers (qualified containers). Defines: (1) "craft manufacturer's permit" as a small brewery permit, farm winery permit, or artisan distiller's permit; and (2) "craft manufacturer" as the holder of a "craft manufacturer's permit". Requires, after June 30, 2024, liquor liability insurance or an endorsement with coverage of at least $500,000 to obtain or renew a retailer's or craft manufacturer's permit. Provides that if an establishment operates under both a retailer's permit and a craft manufacturer's permit, the insurance coverage requirements apply to the establishment and not to each permit individually. Requires compliance with the insurance coverage requirement not later than January 1, 2025, for a permit issued before July 1, 2024. Prohibits a retailer from doing the following: (1) Allowing a game on the licensed premises that: (A) is determined by the quantity of alcoholic beverages consumed by a patron; or (B) awards alcoholic beverage prizes, unless the alcohol beverages are charity gaming prizes or sold in a charity auction event. (2) Selling or serving an unlimited or indefinite amount of alcoholic beverages for a fixed price. Allows a retailer or craft manufacturer to reduce or increase the price of alcoholic beverages during a part of the day. Specifies that the alcohol and tobacco commission may revoke the privilege of selling alcoholic beverages: (1) in qualified containers for carry-out; or (2) for a reduced or increased price; for violations of certain conditions.