Rep. Lindsay Patterson

Provides that the state of Indiana, a political subdivision or other governmental entity of the state of Indiana, a government official, or any other person acting under the color of law shall not infringe on the fundamental right of a parent to direct the upbringing, education, health care, and mental health of the parent's child without demonstrating that the infringement: (1) is required by a compelling governmental interest of the highest order as long recognized in the history and traditions of the state of Indiana; and (2) as applied to the child, is narrowly tailored and not otherwise served by a less restrictive means. Creates a right of action for violation of a parent's rights with respect to the upbringing, education, and health care of the parent's child. Provides that a child is not a child in need of services due to the child's parent, guardian, or custodian: (1) referring to and raising the child consistent with the child's biological sex; or (2) declining to consent to the child receiving: (A) specified medication; (B) a medical procedure the purpose of which is to alter the apparent gender or sex of the child or affirm the child's perception of the child's gender or sex in a manner inconsistent with the child's biological sex; or (C) counseling or other mental health services the purpose of which is to affirm the child's perception of the child's gender or sex if the child's perception is inconsistent with the child's biological sex. Provides that if the juvenile court finds that a child is a child in need of services because the child substantially endangers the child's own or another's health, the court shall release the child to the child's parent, guardian, or custodian and may not enter a dispositional decree ordering removal of the child, unless: (1) the court also finds that the child is a child in need of services for another reason; or (2) the parent, guardian, or custodian consents to the child being removed from the child's home. Specifies that the parental rights and responsibilities do not: (1) authorize a parent to: (A) abuse or neglect a child; or (B) make the decision to end the child's life; or (2) prohibit a court from issuing an order that is otherwise permitted by law. Makes conforming changes.

Provides that an employer may not require an employee to submit to testing for the presence of COVID-19 unless the employee had a known high risk exposure to COVID-19 or has active symptoms of COVID-19. Removes a provision that allows an employer to require an employee who receives an exemption from COVID-19 immunization requirements to submit to testing under certain conditions. Provides that an employer may not subject an employee who claims an exemption based on religious reasons to religious testing or questioning unless the employer has documented evidence of an insincere belief. Removes a provision that allows an employer to request a new laboratory test result from an employee who claims an exemption based on immunity from COVID-19 not more than once every three months. Allows an employee or prospective employee to bring a civil action against an employer to enforce the exemption requirements.

Defines "low water crossing" as a place where a road crosses a stream having a water level that is normally well below the level of the road but may in times of heavy rain rise above the level of the road to a depth that is difficult for the driver of an oncoming automobile to judge, creating the risk that the driver will attempt to cross at the crossing and the driver's automobile will become buoyant and be swept off the road. Defines "low water crossing project" as a project that consists of installing appropriate road signs to warn automobile drivers as they approach a low water crossing, replacing damaged or undersized road culverts in a low water crossing with culverts that will accommodate a greater quantity of stream flow under the road, or replacing a low water crossing with a bridge. Authorizes a local county road and bridge board to undertake low water crossing projects. Requires the commissioner of the department of transportation (department) to ensure that the department makes information available to county boards of commissioners and county highway departments about funding from federal and private sources that might be available to the counties for low water crossing projects. Amends the law concerning the local road and bridge matching grant fund to allow grants from that fund to counties to be used for low water crossing projects.

Provides that the department of child services may not require an individual to undergo an immunization as a condition of issuing the individual a foster family home license, or renewing the individual's foster family home license, if the individual provides: (1) written notice that the individual objects to the immunization on religious grounds; or (2) written certification from a physician that the immunization is or may be detrimental to the individual's health.