Rep. Michelle Davis

Prohibits the department of child services from recommending and a court from ordering certain family reunification programs. Requires the office of judicial administration (office) to establish a judicial training program for an individual who presides over family law or juvenile law matters. Requires the judicial training program established by the office to include certain information regarding domestic violence. Beginning January 1, 2027, requires an individual who presides over family law or juvenile law matters to attend the judicial training established by the office at least one time each year.

Allows an individual to affiliate with a political party while registering to vote. Requires the text: "Would you like to choose your political party? If you wish to vote in a primary election, you must first choose your political party affiliation and may only vote that party's ballot in the primary election." and a blank space for the applicant to list a party affiliation to be included on a voter registration form. Modifies the list of information concerning a voter that the election division is prohibited from providing. Provides, with exceptions, that certain individuals are entitled to review data concerning registered voters that has been collected and maintained on the computerized list. Provides that a voter may only vote at a primary election if the voter has affiliated with a political party not later than 119 days before the date of the primary election. Requires a voter to vote at the primary election held by the political party with which the voter is affiliated. Provides an exception to allow an individual who: (1) has moved to Indiana later than 119 days before the date of the primary election from another state; and (2) is 17 years of age but will be at least 18 years of age on the day of the next general, municipal, or special election; to register to vote and affiliate with a political party later than 119 days before the primary election, and vote at a primary election. Allows a voter to change party affiliation less than 119 days before the primary election and vote in a primary election if the voter has moved to a new election district less than 119 days before the primary election and the voter transfers the voter's registration record. Requires a county voter registration office to automatically affiliate certain voters with a political party and to allow all voters to affiliate or change political party affiliation. Allows a voter to affiliate with a political party when transferring the voter's registration record. Requires a voter who casts a provisional ballot to make an affidavit identifying the voter's political party affiliation. Provides that, except for certain political parties, no person may provide an individual with an absentee ballot application unless requested by the individual or certain family members of the individual. Allows the county election board to assess a civil penalty of not more than $100 if an unsolicited absentee ballot is provided. Reduces the period during which in person absentee voting may occur at the office of the circuit court clerk or a satellite office established by the county election board to a 10 day period ending at noon on the day before election day. Establishes a minimum number of satellite offices for in person absentee voting. Requires the secretary of state to do the following: (1) conduct at least three public meetings to study certain topics concerning election equipment and election procedures; and (2) report the results of meetings to the legislative council before November 1, 2026.

Provides that if a law enforcement officer, governmental body, or postsecondary educational institution is made a party to a civil suit and the attorney general determines that the suit has arisen out of certain acts, the attorney general shall defend the law enforcement officer, governmental body, or postsecondary educational institution throughout the action. Clarifies that the enforcement of federal immigration laws may be carried out by federal, state, or local law enforcement. Removes the mens rea standard in the statute concerning governmental bodies or postsecondary institutions violating the citizenship and immigration status information and enforcement of federal laws chapter. Provides that a governmental body that has the custody of an individual who is the subject of an immigration detainer request shall: (1) provide the judge authorized to grant or deny the individual's release on bail notice that the individual is subject to an immigration detainer request; (2) record in the individual's case file that the individual is subject to an immigration detainer request; (3) comply with the immigration detainer request; and (4) inform the individual that the individual is being held pursuant to an immigration detainer request. Provides immunity to a governmental body or an employee of a governmental body for any action taken concerning an immigration detainer request. Prohibits a political subdivision from taking certain actions to aid, assist, incentivize, or facilitate the migration of any alien or class of aliens into Indiana. Provides that if the attorney general determines that probable cause exists that a governmental entity has not complied with an immigration detention request, the attorney general may bring a court action to: (1) enjoin an act or practice constituting a violation of an immigration detention request; and (2) impose a civil penalty for noncompliance with an immigration detention request. Requires a judge who receives notice that an individual is subject to an immigration detainer request to ensure that the notice of the immigration detainer request is recorded in the court's record. Prohibits an employer from knowingly or intentionally recruiting, hiring, or employing an unauthorized alien. Provides that if the attorney general determines that probable cause exists that an employer has recruited, hired, or employed an unauthorized alien, the attorney general may enjoin the action and seek the suspension of the employer's operating authorizations. Provides that a governmental entity that employs a prosecuting official is entitled to investigative costs and costs in an indecent nuisance action.

Provides that, if a school provides instruction on human sexuality or sexually transmitted infections, the instruction must include instruction concerning consent to sexual activity and a presentation on human growth and development during pregnancy. Provides that a school maintained by a school corporation may not use curricular materials to provide instruction on human sexuality that have not been approved by the governing body of a school corporation. Requires a school corporation to include certain information concerning instruction on human sexuality in the written consent forms provided to a parent of a student or a student, if the student is an adult or an emancipated minor, before the student may receive instruction on human sexuality. Requires the governing body of a school corporation to publish a list of materials used in connection with instruction on human sexuality on the school's website and to include a link to the list of materials on electronically formatted written consent forms. Replaces references to "sexually transmitted diseases" with "sexually transmitted infections". Makes conforming changes.

Requires a petition of nomination for a school board office to state one of the following: (1) The candidate's political party affiliation. (2) That the candidate is an independent candidate. (3) That the candidate elects not to disclose any affiliation with a political party or that the candidate is not affiliated with a political party and does not identify as an independent candidate. Specifies that unless a candidate who states a political party affiliation is challenged, the candidate's statement must be indicated on the ballot. Provides that the name of a candidate for school board office who does not run in affiliation with a political party or as an independent candidate must be printed with a blank space after the candidate's name signifying that the candidate elects not to disclose any affiliation with a political party or that the candidate is not affiliated with a political party and does not identify as an independent candidate. Specifies that a straight party vote does not count for any candidate for a school board office. Requires a school board vacancy to be filled by: (1) a caucus if the vacating member stated an affiliation with a major political party; and (2) the remaining members of the governing body if the vacating member did not state an affiliation with a major political party. Modifies the annual amount that the governing body of a school corporation may pay a member of the governing body from $2,000 (under current law) to an amount not to exceed 10% of the lowest starting salary of a teacher employed by the school corporation.

Defines "chronically absent". Requires the department of education (department) to do the following: (1) Create a list of best practices to reduce student discipline and absenteeism. (2) Study and prepare a report regarding the basis for the categorization of certain suspensions and expulsions. (3) Establish a categorization framework for excused absences based on the reason for the absence. (4) Collect certain information regarding absences from school corporations and charter schools and prepare and post a report regarding the information on the department's website. Provides that the absence policy adopted by the governing body of a school corporation must provide for the categorization of excused absences in accordance with the categorization framework established by the department. Allows a prosecuting attorney to conduct a meeting, collaborate, and make reasonable efforts to secure appropriate support services for a child and the child's family before filing an affidavit with regard to a violation of compulsory school attendance requirements. Amends the definition of "absent student" for purposes of the truancy prevention policy provisions. Requires a public school to hold an attendance conference not later than 10 instructional days (instead of five instructional days) after the student's fifth absence. Prohibits a public school from expelling or suspending a student solely because the student is chronically absent or a habitual truant.

Defines "squatter" as an individual who occupies the property of another and who does not have and has never had: (1) a rental agreement; (2) permission of the owner; or (3) another legal interest in the property. Permits a property owner to execute an affidavit stating that a squatter is occupying the person's property, and requires a law enforcement agency to dispatch one or more law enforcement officers to remove the squatter within 48 hours (or a later period if necessary for reasons of public safety). Provides that a property owner can execute an affidavit at the time a law enforcement officer responds to a complaint that a squatter is occupying the owner's property. Requires a dispatched law enforcement officer to remove the squatter from the property unless the law enforcement officer discovers credible evidence that the person is not a squatter. Provides that a law enforcement agency may create a form affidavit. Provides certain immunities to a law enforcement agency and a law enforcement officer. Establishes a cause of action for wrongful removal from property.

Requires the department of education (department) to grant an initial practitioner license to an individual who: (1) holds a bachelor's degree with a major in any combination of science, technology, engineering, or mathematics; (2) successfully completes a total of at least nine academic credits regarding certain instruction in teaching; and (3) meets other specified requirements. Provides that the department may grant a license to teach a high school level course or grades 5 through 9 to an individual who completes a licensure pathway established by the department. Requires a principal to allow a student who is enrolled in a public secondary school to receive religious instruction for a period or periods that do not exceed the amount of time that is equivalent to attending one elective course at the public secondary school during the week. (Current law provides for a period or periods of not more than 120 minutes in total in any week.) Provides that a public secondary school may award academic credit to a student who attends religious instruction if: (1) the religious entity providing the instruction agrees to certain conditions; and (2) the governing body of the school corporation adopts a policy that allows the awarding of credit (current law only provides that a public secondary school may award academic credit to a student who attends religious instruction if the governing body of the school corporation adopts a policy that allows the awarding of credit). Changes certain requirements regarding the reporting of a bullying "incident" to the reporting of a bullying "investigation". Requires discipline rules to include a provision to make a reasonable attempt to notify both the parent of a targeted student and the parent of an alleged perpetrator that the school is investigating a possible incident of bullying or similar misconduct before the end of the next school day after the school becomes aware of the possible incident.

Expands the eligibility requirements for admission to the Indiana Veterans' Home. Provides that the department of natural resources shall provide staff support for the Indiana semiquincentennial commission (commission). (Current law provides that the Indiana department of veterans' affairs provides staff support for the commission.) Adds a definition of an "eligible person" for purposes of administering grants for veteran services (GVS). Provides that a qualified entity may receive a GVS to provide certain services to support an eligible person. Makes changes to the qualifications to receive a veteran's burial allowance. Establishes the Medal of Honor license plate. Restores a provision of current law concerning certain disability ratings, as determined by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs, and educational cost exemptions. Updates references throughout the Indiana Code relating to the armed forces of the United States or uniformed services to include the United States Space Force. Changes references relating to military discharges. Makes technical changes to various references relating to the components of the armed forces of the United States. Provides that Hamilton County is not subject to the political party membership requirements for a board of aviation commissioners or an airport authority. Establishes the office of school safety within the department of homeland security (department) for the purpose of coordinating and administering school security and safety resources. Changes the composition of the secured school safety board. Requires a school corporation or charter school to comply with certain safety related requests by the office of school safety. Authorizes the department to issue enforcement orders in accordance with rules adopted by the board of firefighting personnel standards and education. Removes emergency medical services enforcement authority from the state fire marshal's management authority. Provides that the department, a fire department, an airport fire department, or a volunteer fire department may open burn for fire training purposes if certain conditions are met. Makes various changes to provisions relating to the department's enforcement authority pertaining to the administrative adjudication of building fire and safety laws. Amends the definition of "law enforcement officer" to include the state fire marshal and the executive director or fire investigator of the department. Provides that the fire prevention and building safety commission, with certain exceptions, may not adopt a final rule for more than three building codes during any 12 month period. Defines "correctional services provider" and adds correctional services providers to the definition of "covered person" for purposes of restricting access to a covered person's address on a public property data base website. Provides that a school resource officer who has completed Tier I or Tier II basic training has statewide jurisdiction. Provides that a school resource officer may pursue a person who flees from a school resource officer after the school resource officer has, by visible or audible means, including the operation of the school resource officer's siren or emergency lights, identified themself and ordered the person to stop. Increases the penalty for criminal recklessness from a Class B to a Class A misdemeanor. Specifies that the immunities and limitations on liability that apply to a law enforcement officer (and the officer's employing agency) acting within the officer's jurisdictional area also apply to an officer (and employing agency) acting outside the jurisdictional area under certain circumstances. Makes pointing a firearm by a passenger in a vehicle whose driver is committing criminal recklessness a Level 6 felony under certain circumstances. Adds a hospital police department to the definition of police departments required to provide police officers with certain rights. Repeals the provision establishing the department of education's division of school building physical security and safety. Makes conforming amendments.

Requires the department of education (department), in collaboration with certain other state entities, to collect and maintain certain data and to publish on the department's website timely and relevant information about secondary education programs. Provides that the department shall administer and implement the comprehensive career navigation and coaching system developed by the commission for higher education and administer the career coaching grant fund (fund). Provides certain requirements for an eligible entity to receive a grant from the fund. Requires the department to prepare a report concerning career coaching and submit the report to the governor and general assembly. Requires the department of workforce development to update wage threshold data used to categorize career and technical education programs for use in the subsequent school year. Makes conforming changes.