Rep. Jim Lucas

Provides, with some exceptions, that beginning July 1, 2025, the state of Indiana may not regulate: (1) firearms, ammunition, and firearm accessories; and (2) the ownership, possession, carrying, transportation, registration, transfer, and storage of firearms, ammunition, and firearm accessories. Specifies that a certain provision of an ordinance, measure, enactment, rule, policy, or exercise of proprietary authority is void. Provides that a person not otherwise prohibited from carrying or possessing a firearm under federal or state law may carry or possess a firearm, without restriction, on certain property affiliated with the following state agencies beginning July 1, 2025: (1) The department of natural resources. (2) The state fair commission. (3) The department of administration. (4) The department of workforce development. Prohibits, with some exceptions, a state educational institution (institution) from regulating the possession or transportation of firearms, ammunition, or firearm accessories in particular places. Allows a person to bring an action against an institution if the person is adversely affected by certain rules concerning firearms.

Prohibits an individual from being required to: (1) inject; (2) receive an injection of; (3) ingest; (4) inhale; or (5) otherwise incorporate; a qualified substance into the individual's body. Defines "qualified substance".

Specifies that "reasonable force" includes the pointing of a loaded or unloaded firearm for purposes of arrest or to prevent an escape, or for self-defense.

Permits the use of medical marijuana by persons with serious medical conditions as determined by their physician. Establishes a medical marijuana program to permit the cultivation, processing, testing, transportation, and dispensing of medical marijuana by holders of a valid permit. Requires the Indiana department of health (state department) to implement and enforce the medical marijuana program. Requires that permit holders undertake steps to prevent diversion of medical marijuana to unauthorized persons. Requires that medical marijuana and medical marijuana products be properly labeled, placed in child resistant packaging, and tested by an independent testing laboratory before being made available for purchase. Prohibits packaging medical marijuana in a manner that is appealing to children. Authorizes research on medical marijuana in accordance with rules set forth by the state department. Prohibits discrimination against medical marijuana users. Prohibits harassment of medical marijuana users by law enforcement officers, and prohibits cooperation with federal law enforcement officials seeking to enforce federal laws that criminalize the use of marijuana authorized in Indiana. Establishes the medical marijuana oversight committee to review appeals and grievances concerning the medical marijuana program. Provides a defense to prosecution for a person who operates a vehicle or motorboat with marijuana or its metabolite in the person's blood under certain conditions that involve medical marijuana. Makes conforming amendments.

Provides that a state employee may affirmatively elect to enroll in the deferred compensation plan prior to the auto enroll date on day 31 of the state employee's employment. Removes a provision that sets a maximum employer surcharge for the legislators' defined benefit plan, state excise police, gaming agent, gaming control officer, and conservation enforcement officers' retirement plan, public employees' retirement fund, and Indiana state teachers' retirement fund (fund). Requires the board of trustees of the Indiana public retirement system (board) to develop the technological and administrative capabilities sufficient to categorize fund members into separate groups in which: (1) certain members receive a service based thirteenth check; and (2) certain members receive a cost of living adjustment. Requires the board to set the surcharge rates at a level to actuarially prefund: (1) annual indexed thirteenth checks for all current retired members and beneficiaries retired before July 1, 2025; and (2) 1% annual cost of living adjustments to future in-payment members and beneficiaries retired on or after July 1, 2025. Provides that the board shall not reduce the surcharge rates from the prior year. Allows the board to increase the surcharge rates by not more than 0.1% of payroll from the prior year. Requires certain political subdivisions to present to the interim study committee on pension management oversight regarding a delinquent employee retirement plan offered by the political subdivision. Requires, effective July 1, 2025, the trustee of the state police pension trust to maintain two supplemental allowance reserve accounts for the purpose of paying postretirement benefit adjustments. Increases the maximum date that a member or participant of certain retirement funds can participate in the deferred retirement option plan from 36 to 60 months. Requires the member or participant to notify their employer if the member or participant elects to enter or extend the deferred retirement option plan. Provides for a thirteenth check in 2024 for certain members, participants, or beneficiaries of the: (1) Indiana state teachers' retirement fund; (2) Indiana public employees' retirement fund; (3) state excise police, gaming agent, gaming control officer, and conservation enforcement officers' retirement plan; (4) state police pre-1987 benefit system; and (5) state police 1987 benefit system.

Permits a law enforcement agency to dispose of certain confiscated firearms by trade with a licensed firearms dealer, a licensed firearm manufacturer, or another law enforcement agency in exchange for new firearms and other law enforcement equipment. Sets forth the recording and reporting requirements for the trade of firearms by a law enforcement agency.

Establishes the Hoosier first responder medal of honor (medal). Provides that the department of homeland security (department) may determine an Indiana first responder is eligible for the Hoosier first responder medal of honor if the Indiana first responder distinguishes themselves conspicuously by gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of the Indiana first responder's life above and beyond the call of duty while engaged in an act of public service. Provides that, upon approval of a nomination by the department, the department shall notify the entity employing the Indiana first responder or for which the Indiana first responder volunteers of the nomination. Provides that the entity shall notify a member of the general assembly who represents the district in which the entity is located of the Indiana first responder's nomination. Provides that the member of the general assembly shall recommend the Indiana first responder for the medal to the governor. Provides that, if the department determines that an Indiana first responder nominated to the department does not meet the eligibility requirements to receive the medal, the department may make recommendations to the entity that employs the Indiana first responder or for which the Indiana first responder volunteers of other forms of recognition for the Indiana first responder. Provides that the governor may award the medal to the Indiana first responder or the Indiana first responder's next of kin at a public ceremony.

Recognizing the 100th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the United States of America and Ireland.

Supporting Israel.

Increases the maximum amount for a grant from the military family relief fund from $2,500 to $3,500. Provides that beginning July 1, 2025, and each July 1 thereafter, the maximum amount of a grant will be annually increased by an amount approved by the Indiana veterans' affairs commission not to exceed the current annual cost of living adjustment determined by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs. Expands the eligibility requirements for admission to the Indiana Veterans' Home. 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. 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. Makes technical changes to various references relating to the components of the armed forces of the United States. Provides that the governing body of a school corporation, the organizer of a charter school, or the chief administrative officer of a nonpublic school system shall authorize the absence and excuse of each secondary school student who is ordered to active duty with the armed forces of the United States, including their reserve components or the Indiana National Guard for at least 15 days in a school year. (Current law provides that a governing body of a school corporation or the chief administrative officer of a nonpublic school system shall authorize the absence and excuse of each secondary school student who is ordered to active duty with the Indiana National Guard for not more than 10 days in a school year.)