Rep. Karen Engleman

Changes, for purposes of the law concerning compensation to victims of violent crime, the definition of "claimant" to include certain family members of a victim. Expands the list of expenses eligible for compensation to include crime scene cleanup and replacement windows or door locks. Allows the victim services division of the Indiana criminal justice institute to accept proof that evidence was collected during a forensic exam as a claimant's cooperation with law enforcement. Specifies that a person who contributed to the injury or death of the victim may not receive benefits.

Specifies that the amount of excess combined reserves that may be transferred to the pre-1996 account in 2022 may not exceed $2,500,000,000. Reduces the individual adjusted gross income tax rate from 3.23% in 2022 to 3.15% in 2023 and 2024. Phases down the individual adjusted gross income tax rate after 2024 depending on certain conditions being met. Allows a taxpayer to elect a special property tax valuation method for mini-mill equipment. (Current law allows the method to be used only for certain integrated steel mill and oil refinery/petrochemical equipment.) Repeals the utility receipts and utility services use taxes. Requires a utility that is subject to the jurisdiction of the Indiana utility regulatory commission (IURC) for the approval of rates and charges to file a rate adjustment with the IURC that adjusts the utility's rates and charges to reflect the repeal of the utility receipts tax. Requires a utility that is subject to the utility receipts tax and not under the jurisdiction of the IURC to adjust the utility's rates and charges to reflect the repeal of the utility receipts tax. Requires each utility to provide notice to the utility's customers that the adjustment in rates and charges reflects the repeal of the utility receipts tax. Specifies taxpayer procedure for the repeal of the utility receipts and utility services use tax. Provides that the office of the secretary of family and social services may not enter into a final contract that would implement a risk based managed care program or capitated program for the specified Medicaid population before January 31, 2023. Makes conforming changes.

Reaffirming the commitment of sister ties between Indiana and Taiwan.

Provides that a recreational vehicle campground that is not connected to a public sewer system may include one or more holding tanks in which wastewater from recreational vehicles is stored before processing. Limits the capacity of a holding tank to not more than 10,000 gallons.

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION urging the Indiana War Memorials Commission to study and propose the construction of a suitable monument to the men and women of Indiana who died in the service of their country in the global war on terrorism.

Designates the mastodon as the official state fossil of Indiana.

Effective January 1, 2024, provides that a county recorder, auditor, or assessor may not refuse to accept or endorse a document because the document is an electronic document. Provides that certain recording requirements do not apply to a military discharge, a survey of real property, or a plat of real property. Provides that if a county auditor has not collected the recording fee for a tax deed, the county recorder shall collect the recording fee when the tax deed is recorded. Requires the county auditor to use revenue collected for endorsing documents for the maintenance of property tax records (instead of platbooks). Makes conforming amendments.

Allows the secretary of family and social services (secretary) to issue a waiver of human services statutory provisions and administrative rules if the secretary determines that the waiver is necessary to claim certain enhanced federal matching funds available to the Medicaid program. Allows the secretary to issue an emergency declaration for purposes of participating in specified authorized federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) emergency allotments. Requires the secretary to prepare and submit any waivers or emergency declarations to the budget committee. Allows the state health commissioner of the state department of health or the commissioner's designated public health authority to issue standing orders, prescriptions, or protocols to administer or dispense certain immunizations for individuals who are at least five years old (current law limits the age for the commissioner's issuance of standing orders, prescriptions, and protocols for individuals who are at least 11 years old). Defines "Indiana governmental entity" and specifies that an Indiana governmental entity (current law refers to a state or local unit) may not issue or require an immunization passport. Provides that an individual is not disqualified from unemployment benefits if the individual has complied with the requirements for seeking an exemption from an employer's COVID-19 immunization requirements and was discharged from employment for failing or refusing to receive an immunization against COVID-19. Provides that an employer may not impose a requirement that employees receive an immunization against COVID-19 unless the employer provides individual exemptions that allow an employee to opt out of the requirement on the basis of medical reasons, religious reasons, or immunity from COVID-19 acquired from a prior infection with COVID-19.

Repeals the law that requires a person to obtain a license to carry a handgun in Indiana. Specifies that certain persons who are not otherwise prohibited from carrying or possessing a handgun are not required to obtain or possess a license or permit from the state to carry a handgun in Indiana. Prohibits certain individuals from knowingly or intentionally carrying a handgun. Creates the crime of "unlawful carrying of a handgun" and specifies the penalties for committing this crime. Allows particular individuals who do not meet the requirements to receive a handgun license and are not otherwise prohibited to carry a handgun in limited places. Allows a resident of Indiana to obtain in certain circumstances a license to carry a handgun in Indiana. Makes theft of a firearm a Level 5 felony. Defines certain terms. Makes conforming amendments and repeals obsolete provisions.

Recognizing February as Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month.