Rep. Wendy McNamara

Provides that a person commits obstruction of justice if the person induces a witness in a legal proceeding to: (1) withhold or delay producing evidence that the witness is legally required to produce; (2) avoid a subpoena or court order; (3) not appear at a proceeding to which the witness has been summoned; or (4) give a false or materially misleading statement. Provides that a person commits obstruction of justice, as a Level 5 felony, if the person induces a witness to give a false or materially misleading statement during the investigation or pendency of a domestic violence or child abuse case. Establishes a uniform definition of "communicates" for the criminal code. Makes other changes and 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.

Recognizing February as Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month.

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION recognizing Wednesday, February 16, 2022, as a day to honor the work and mission of the regions of the American Red Cross serving the state of Indiana.

Modifies the definition of "protected person" for purposes of the admission of a statement or videotape of an individual who is less than 14 years of age at the time of the offense but less than 18 years of age at the time of trial. Removes the requirement that money paid for a human trafficking victim or for an act performed by a human trafficking victim be paid to a third party. Increases the penalty if the human trafficking victim is less than 18 years of age. Specifies that: (1) consent by the human trafficking victim; or (2) a belief that the human trafficking victim was at least 18 years of age; is not a defense to a prosecution. Requires law enforcement agencies to report human trafficking investigations to the attorney general within 30 days after an investigation begins.

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION recognizing January as Human Trafficking Awareness Month.

Provides that an association or representative organization that meets certain requirements has standing to: (1) bring a declaratory judgment action as to an ordinance adopted under the planning and development law; and (2) obtain judicial review of a zoning decision.

Allows a political subdivision, when required by statute to publish a notice two or more times, to make the first publication of notice in a newspaper and any subsequent publications of the notice on the official web site of the political subdivision. Requires the political subdivision or contractor that maintains the political subdivision's official web site to provide proof of publication of the notice on the official web site. Provides that if, with regard to a sheriff's sale of real property to execute a judgment, the sheriff is not able to procure publication of the notice in a newspaper of general circulation within the county, the sheriff may publish the notice on the Internet web site of each county where the real estate is located (instead of dispensing with the publication of notice entirely).

Establishes the: (1) student learning recovery grant program; and (2) student learning recovery grant program fund (fund). Provides that, to be eligible to receive a grant, an eligible entity must develop and submit a student learning acceleration plan (plan). Establishes requirements for a plan and certain information reporting requirements for those eligible entities that are awarded a grant. Requires, before November 1, 2021, and November 1, 2022, the department of education to prepare and submit a report to the interim committee on education. Appropriates to the fund from the state general fund for the purposes of the program $150,000,000 for the 2021 state fiscal year.

Establishes the Indiana crime guns task force (task force) to address violent crime in Boone, Hamilton, Hancock, Hendricks, Marion, Morgan, Johnson, and Shelby counties by delivering, in cooperation with state and federal officials, a uniform strategy to trace firearms used to commit crimes. Establishes an executive board to direct and oversee the task force. Requires the Indiana criminal justice institute to establish and administer the task force fund. Makes conforming amendments.