Rep. Cindy Ledbetter

Provides (beginning January 1, 2024) that the office of Medicaid policy and planning may not require: (1) a provider that is licensed, certified, registered, or authorized with the appropriate state agency or board and exclusively offers telehealth services to maintain a physical address or site in Indiana to be eligible for enrollment as a Medicaid provider; or (2) a telehealth provider group with providers that are licensed, certified, registered, or authorized with the appropriate state agency or board to have an in-state service address to be eligible to enroll as a Medicaid vendor or Medicaid provider group.

Specifies certain entities, actions taken, or factors considered to which the ESG commitment provisions do not apply. Provides that if the treasurer of state concludes that the service provider has made an ESG commitment, the treasurer of state shall provide the name of the service provider and research supporting the conclusion to the board of trustees of the Indiana public retirement system (board). Prohibits the board from making an investment decision with the purpose of influencing any social or environmental policy or attempting to influence the governance of any corporation for nonfinancial purposes. Prohibits the Indiana public retirement system (system) from making an ESG commitment with respect to system assets. Provides that in making and supervising investments of the system, the board shall discharge its duties solely in the financial interest of the participants and beneficiaries of the system for the exclusive purposes of providing financial benefits to participants and beneficiaries and defraying reasonable expenses of administering the system. Provides that the board, in accordance with certain fiduciary duties, shall make investment decisions with the primary purpose of maximizing the target rate of return on the board's investments. Prohibits the board from entering a contract or modifying, amending, or continuing a contract with a service provider that has made an ESG commitment unless taking the action violates the board's fiduciary duty to the system's participants and beneficiaries. Requires the board to continue contracting with a service provider that has made an ESG commitment if the board determines that there is not a comparable service provider to replace the service provider. Requires the board to, at least annually, tabulate and report all proxy votes made by a service provider that is not a private market fund in relation to the administration of the system. Specifies certain persons and entities that are immune from civil liability and entitled to indemnification. Requires the board to: (1) ensure that reasonable efforts are made during the due diligence process before an investment is made and in monitoring investments in the public employees' defined contribution plan, an annuity savings account for the public employees' retirement fund or the Indiana state teachers' retirement fund, the teachers' defined contribution plan, the legislators' defined contribution plan, and a private market fund to determine whether any investments would violate the requirement that the board discharge its duties solely in the financial interest of the participants and beneficiaries of the system; and (2) take appropriate action, if necessary, consistent with the board's fiduciary duties. Defines terms and makes conforming amendments.

Provides that only a dog or miniature horse qualify as a service animal. Provides that a public accommodation shall make reasonable modifications in policies, practices, or procedures to permit the use of a miniature horse by an individual with a disability. Sets forth certain requirements when permitting or not permitting a person with a disability to bring a service animal on the premises of a public accommodation.

Establishes licensing standards for rural emergency hospitals. Provides that certain personal information is confidential if a complaint is filed with the Indiana department of health (department). Allows the department to analyze information submitted by entities regulated by the department for quality improvement purposes. Adds rural emergency hospitals to the statute specifying that the licensure of a rural emergency hospital does not affect the statute pertaining to the placement and adoption of children. Repeals the provision concerning a provisional license for certain hospice programs. Provides that the definition of "home health services" includes community based palliative care. Establishes standards for housing with services establishments that offer memory care services. Changes references from "venereal disease" to "sexually transmitted infection". Allows a local health officer to issue a birth, death, or stillbirth certificate from the electronic registration system regardless of the location of the filing of the record. Removes the requirement that the department develop educational materials concerning prenatal and neonatal transmission of HIV. Removes the requirement that the department be notified if certain emergency responders request test results following a potential exposure to a serious communicable disease. Changes the date that the department submits a report concerning childhood lead poisoning. Removes the exemption to a vendor of a farmer's market or roadside stand from the requirements relating to food products that are not potentially hazardous. Amends the criteria for a safety pin program (program) grant proposal. Provides that if the department approves a program grant proposal, the department shall determine the initial award amount and the amount to be distributed once the grantee meets certain performance metrics. Provides a preference for awarding grants from the program to populations with demonstrable higher need. Provides that the center for deaf and hard of hearing education shall provide assistance to classroom instruction and professionals. Makes technical and conforming changes.

Exempts military pay for members of a reserve component of the armed forces of the United States or the national guard from the individual income tax. (Current law provides an individual income tax exemption for members of a reserve component of the armed forces of the United States or the national guard for the period the member is mobilized and deployed.) Exempts military pay earned by members of an active component of the armed forces of the United States from the individual income tax. (Current law exempts from the individual income tax the military pay earned by members of the National Guard and reserve components of the armed forces of the United States while serving on active duty.)

Establishes the rare disease advisory council (council) to address various issues concerning the needs of patients in Indiana with rare diseases and their caregivers and providers. Establishes duties and procedures of the council. Requires the Indiana department of health to provide administrative assistance to and pay the administrative expenses of the council.

Allows a home health agency to: (1) provide services in any county in Indiana; and (2) satisfy supervising home health aide services requirements by complying with federal law. Allows: (1) the Indiana department of health (state department) to adopt rules concerning the oversight and supervision of the services a home health agency provides in noncontiguous counties; and (2) the state health commissioner to waive rules adopted concerning home health agencies if certain conditions are met. Provides that a home health agency is not required to conduct a preemployment physical on a job applicant before the individual has contact with a home health agency patient. Allows a registered home health aide to administer gastrointestinal and jejunostomy tube feedings to a specific patient if specified conditions are met. Requires the state department to approve at least one training curriculum concerning the administration of tube feedings. Repeals laws concerning drug testing of home health agency employees.

Makes appropriations to the Indiana housing and community development authority and the office of the secretary of family and social services to fund programs for housing and other supportive services for individuals experiencing homelessness.

Establishes the occupational therapy licensure compact.

Provides that a statewide standing order for the dispensing of an overdose intervention drug must allow for choice in the: (1) purchasing; (2) dispensing; and (3) distributing; of any formulation or dosage of a naloxone product that is approved by the federal Food and Drug Administration.