Rep. John Bartlett

Maddy summaryThis bill (HCR 11) is a ceremonial concurrent resolution honoring Dr. Nikki Woodson for her service as Superintendent of Washington Township Schools upon her retirement. It does not create new laws or affect policies; it solely expresses legislative recognition through a formal resolution approved by both chambers. The resolution was coauthored by multiple representatives and passed first readings in both the House and Senate in early January 2025. It directly affects no individuals or entities beyond acknowledging Dr. Woodson's retirement.

Maddy summaryHB 1097, titled "Awareness of human trafficking," would have required gas stations to display human trafficking awareness posters. The bill directly affected gas station operators by mandating the placement of these posters at their locations. Its key mechanism was the requirement for businesses to display specific educational materials to increase public awareness of human trafficking. The bill was introduced by Representative Bartlett on January 8, 2025, and referred to committee, but it was withdrawn on January 13, 2025, and did not advance further. This proposed measure aimed to leverage high-traffic locations like gas stations to disseminate anti-trafficking information.

Maddy summaryThis bill formally recognizes January 15 as Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day in the U.S. Congress. It is a procedural resolution to commemorate the holiday, directly affecting congressional proceedings and records. The bill does not create new policy or alter existing law, but affirms the institution's observance of the federal holiday honoring Dr. King's legacy.

Requires a political subdivision to contract with mental health providers for the purpose of supplementing existing crisis intervention teams with mental health professionals. Specifies certain eligibility requirements for mental health professionals' rapid response assistance. Requires a mental health professional who is appointed to accompany responding law enforcement or police officers to a call or be separately dispatched to an emergency involving a mental health or substance use disorder crisis. Provides that a law enforcement officer or police officer (officer) may not be held liable for damages, including punitive damages, for any act or omission related to a mental health professional's contribution to a crisis intervention team or a crisis intervention team response. Specifies that no other person or entity may be held liable for certain damages by reason of an agency relationship with an officer. Defines certain terms.

Provides that the state may seek an enhancement to the sentence of a sex offense committed by a law enforcement officer. Provides that for purposes of the sentence enhancement, the definition of "law enforcement officer" includes a school resource officer or school corporation police officer.

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.

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION congratulating the Lawrence Central High School girls basketball team on winning the 2024 Indiana High School Athletic Association ("IHSAA") Class 4A state championship title.

Honoring Indianapolis native Mike Epps.

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION congratulating the Lawrence Central High School girls basketball team on winning the 2024 Indiana High School Athletic Association ("IHSAA") Class 4A state championship title.

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION recognizing Monroe Gray, Jr.