Rep. Jenny Meltzer

Requires the secretary of family and social services to provide that the standards for services provided by recovery community organizations for behavioral health recovery, when used as a recovery community organization, be certified through a certain entity and meet other standards established by the division of mental health and addiction. Specifies information that must be reported by a community mental health center as part of the community mental health center's annual report.

Amends as follows the statute setting forth the procedures by which certain small water or wastewater utilities may withdraw from and return to the jurisdiction of the Indiana utility regulatory commission (IURC): (1) Specifies that a sewage disposal company that is subject to the jurisdiction of the IURC for having been issued more than one enforcement order from the department of environmental management (department) may not seek to withdraw from the IURC's jurisdiction during the rate regulation period prescribed in the statute setting forth various requirements with respect to wastewater utilities that have been issued one or more enforcement orders by the department. (2) Authorizes a member or shareholder of the utility to cast a vote by secret absentee ballot on the question of the IURC's jurisdiction over the utility. (3) Provides that notice of the meeting on the question of the IURC's jurisdiction over the utility must be sent not less than 45 days (instead of 30 days, under current law) before the meeting and must include: (A) instructions regarding how a member or shareholder who wishes to cast a vote by absentee ballot may request an absentee ballot; (B) a statement that a request for an absentee ballot precludes a member or shareholder from voting in person at the meeting held on the question of withdrawal from the IURC's jurisdiction; (C) instructions for returning or delivering an absentee ballot; and (D) the deadline for returning an absentee ballot, which must be: (i) not earlier than 10 calendar days; and (ii) not later than five calendar days; before the meeting on the question, along with information as to when an absentee ballot will be considered received by the board. (4) Provides that the 5% quorum required for members or shareholders to transact business and to take official action regarding the question of the IURC's jurisdiction over the utility includes votes cast by absentee ballot. (5) Provides that if: (A) a utility successfully withdraws from the IURC's jurisdiction; (B) after the withdrawal, a referendum is held on the question of the utility returning to the IURC's jurisdiction; and (C) less than a majority of the votes cast are in favor of returning to the IURC's jurisdiction; another referendum on the question of returning to the IURC's jurisdiction may not be conducted for two years (instead of four years, under current law) following the date of the meeting at which the vote is conducted. (6) Makes conforming changes.

Makes possession of xylazine a Class A misdemeanor, and increases the penalty to a Level 6 felony if the person has a prior xylazine related conviction. Makes dealing in xylazine a Level 5 felony, and increases the penalty to a Level 4 felony if the person has a prior xylazine related conviction. Exempts certain persons using, distributing, or manufacturing xylazine for veterinary purposes.

Supporting Israel.

Removes provisions related to testing the strength, effectiveness, or purity of a controlled substance in the criminal laws concerning possession of controlled substance paraphernalia.

Requires the secretary of family and social services to provide that the standards for services provided by recovery community organizations for behavioral health recovery, when used as a recovery community organization, be certified through a certain entity and meet other standards established by the division of mental health and addiction.

Requires an owner or operator of a public lodging establishment (establishment) to: (1) provide human trafficking awareness training for employees; (2) post human trafficking awareness signage; and (3) implement procedures for the reporting of suspected human trafficking and a human trafficking prevention policy. Requires the department of homeland security (department) to make a list available on the department's website of approved human trafficking training courses. Provides that an owner, operator, or employee of an establishment that complies in good faith with the requirements is not liable for an act or omission arising out of or related to human trafficking committed by a third party unless the owner, operator, or employee knowingly and willfully assists in the commission of human trafficking. Requires the department to maintain a list of establishments that are not in compliance with the requirements. Requires a state agency to ensure that lodging for an employee of the state agency is booked in an establishment that is not on the list. Requires the department to adopt rules to implement the requirements, including rules establishing a schedule of fines for a violation.

Provides that Washington Township in Decatur County may increase its maximum township property tax levy for 2025 and thereafter.

Makes dealing in certain controlled substances a Level 2 felony if use of the substance results in serious bodily injury. Makes certain collateral consequences (such as licensure, forfeiture, racketeering, or designation as a serious violent felon) for committing the offense the same as the collateral consequences of committing dealing in a controlled substance resulting in death.

Provides that, subject to certain procedures and requirements, the office of the secretary of family and social services may apply to the United States Department of Health and Human Services: (1) for a Medicaid state plan amendment, a waiver, or an amendment to an existing waiver to require reimbursement for eligible certified community behavioral health clinic services; or (2) to participate in the expansion of a community mental health services demonstration program. Requires the division of mental health and addiction to establish and maintain a help line: (1) to provide confidential emotional support and referrals to certain resources to individuals who call the help line; and (2) that is accessible by calling a toll free telephone number. Establishes the Indiana behavioral health commission (commission) and sets forth the commission's membership. Changes the name of the "9-8-8 crisis hotline center" to "9-8-8 crisis response center". Makes conforming changes.