Rep. Reneé Pack

Maddy summaryHB 1147 expands the definition of "bias crime" to include gender identity as a protected characteristic. This means crimes motivated by bias against someone's gender identity would now be treated as bias crimes under state law. The bill directly affects individuals who experience hate-based violence or threats due to their gender identity. It is currently pending in the Committee on Courts and Criminal Code after its initial introduction.

Requires that the Indiana department of labor consult with the Indiana department of veterans' affairs to create and distribute a veterans' benefits and services poster. Provides that the veterans' benefits and services poster must contain certain information. Requires that Indiana employers with more than 50 full-time employees (or their equivalent) display the veterans' benefits and services poster in a conspicuous place.

Provides for a semiquincentennial license plate. Establishes the semiquincentennial trust fund.

Removes references to "enhanced 911 service". Increases the penalty for false informing if the false report is that a person is dangerous and certain other circumstances exist. Changes references from the "enhanced prepaid wireless charge" to the "911 service prepaid wireless charge". Provides that information relating to security measures or precautions used to secure the statewide 911 system may be excepted from public disclosure at the discretion of the statewide 911 board. Makes changes to or repeals certain definitions relating to the state 911 system. Provides that all originating service providers that provide 911 service for their customers: (1) shall connect to the state 911 system using an industry standard or functional equivalent; and (2) must establish and maintain the connection in accordance with all applicable regulatory requirements requiring service continuity and ensure access to public safety assistance.Provides that an emergency communications center included in the definition of PSAP may not be construed to create an additional PSAP. Makes a technical correction. 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.

Adds language providing that supporting and facilitating two-way communication between parents and foster parents or kinship caregivers is a state policy.

Defines "veteran at risk". Creates the green alert program to provide for public notification regarding missing veterans at risk. Changes the name of the Indiana clearinghouse for information on missing children and missing endangered adults to the Indiana clearinghouse for information on missing children, missing veterans at risk, and missing endangered adults (clearinghouse). Makes conforming changes to the duties of the clearinghouse. Creates certain duties and reporting requirements for law enforcement agencies concerning missing veterans at risk. Provides immunity for a broadcaster who broadcasts, or an electronic billboard operator who displays, a green alert notification and a person who establishes or maintains a green alert website under an agreement with the state police department. Makes technical corrections.

Allows the division of mental health and addiction to award mental health grants to for-profit community mental health organizations if a nonprofit organization does not qualify for the grant.

Honoring Indianapolis native Mike Epps.

Recognizing the month of February as Turner Syndrome Awareness Month.