A SENATE RESOLUTION honoring Senator James W. Merritt, Jr. upon his retirement from the Indiana State Senate.
Sponsored bills
Authorizes the Indiana destination development corporation (corporation) to employ a music commissioner. Authorizes the corporation to establish a music production incentive program. Requires the corporation, in coordination with the office of management and budget, to provide a report to the interim study committee on fiscal policy concerning: (1) music production incentives offered in other states; and (2) a recommendation on the type of incentive that should be offered in Indiana.
Provides a tax credit for a taxpayer that makes a monetary contribution to a qualifying foster care organization. Defines a "qualifying foster care organization" as an organization that (1) is exempt from federal income tax under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code; (2) provides foster care prevention services and programs or direct assistance to individuals in the foster care system; (3) spends at least 50% of its available revenue on qualified services to Indiana residents; (4) affirms it will continue spending at least 50% of its available revenue on qualified services to Indiana residents; and (5) provides ongoing qualified services to at least 200 Indiana residents. Provides that the department of state revenue (department) shall grant a tax credit against any state tax liability due equal to 50% of the amount of the monetary contribution by a person to a qualifying foster care organization. Provides that the tax credit that a taxpayer receives may not exceed $10,000 for any taxable year. Provides that the amount of tax credits allowed may not exceed $2,000,000 in the state fiscal year. Provides that to claim a tax credit an application must be filed with the department. Provides that the department shall promptly notify an applicant whether, or the extent to which, the tax credit is allowable in the state fiscal year in which the application is filed. Provides that when the total credits approved equal the maximum amount allowable in any state fiscal year, no application thereafter filed for that fiscal year shall be approved. Provides that the tax credit chapter expires in 2025.
Establishes a two year pilot program whereby the John Glenn School Corporation may initiate a process to disannex certain territory from an existing school corporation and annex the territory.
Provides civil tort immunity for damages arising from COVID-19 on the premises owned or operated by a person, on any premises on which the person or an employee or agent of the person provided property or services to the individual, or during an activity managed, organized, or sponsored by the person, except for an act or omission that constitutes gross negligence or willful or wanton misconduct (including fraud and intentionally tortious acts). Defines "COVID-19 protective product" and provides civil tort immunity for harm that results from the design, manufacture, labeling, sale, distribution, or donation of a COVID-19 protective product, except for an act or omission that constitutes gross negligence or willful or wanton misconduct (including fraud and intentionally tortious acts). Prohibits class action suits.
Establishes a work sharing unemployment insurance program (program). Requires an employer that desires to participate in the program to submit a work sharing plan for approval by the commissioner of the department of workforce development. Establishes the work sharing benefit as equal to an affected employee's unemployment benefit reduced by a percentage equal to the percentage of the employee's normal weekly work hours that the employee works under the approved work sharing plan.
Requires hospitals, health facilities, and residential care facilities to develop and maintain protocols concerning the visitation of admitted patients by certain individuals. Specifies certain requirements for hospital, health facility, and residential care facility visitation protocols. Requires specified visitation policies to remain in effect during times in which normal visiting procedures are halted due to a declared emergency or epidemic. Provides civil immunity to hospitals, health facilities, residential care facilities, their respective employees, and their respective contractors for the good faith implementation of specified patient visitation protocols.
Provides for the issuance of driving cards and driving card learner's permits (cards) to residents of Indiana who cannot provide proof of identity and lawful status in the United States. Provides that the cards may not be used for federal identification or any other federal purpose. Requires that an individual who holds a card and operates a motor vehicle must verify that financial responsibility on any motor vehicle that the holder operates is continuously maintained in the amounts required by law. Provides that the bureau of motor vehicles may not disclose certain information unless presented with a lawful court order or judicial warrant. Makes conforming amendments. Makes technical corrections.
Allows a landlord to apply for assistance from the COVID-19 rental assistance program (program) operated by the Indiana housing and community development authority (authority) on behalf of a tenant who: (1) is at least 30 days overdue on monthly rent; and (2) has not applied to the program. Provides that an amount paid by the program to a landlord is considered to be paid by the tenant. Prohibits a landlord that receives assistance from requiring a tenant to pay the difference between the maximum monthly benefit under the program and the monthly rent under the rental agreement. Requires the authority to provide a tenant with notice of assistance received by a landlord on the tenant's behalf.
Prohibits the department of child services (department), a licensed child placing agency, or a court from considering the following when determining the suitability of a prospective adoptive parent: (1) The eligibility of the prospective adoptive parent to receive adoption assistance payments or an adoption subsidy. (2) The amount of the adoption assistance payments or adoption subsidy for which the prospective adoptive parent qualifies. Requires, with certain exceptions, that the department: (1) enter into an agreement with each adoptive parent of a child with special needs who is eligible for an adoption subsidy to provide an adoption subsidy for the child; and (2) allocate to the adoption assistance account funds necessary to make the adoption subsidy payments. Prohibits the department from terminating an adoption subsidy agreement with an adoptive parent due to a lack of sufficient funds in the adoption assistance account. Provides that the amount of adoption subsidy payments may not be less than an amount equal to 50% of the amount that would be payable by the department for the monthly cost of care of the adopted child in a foster family home at the time that: (1) the adoption subsidy agreement is made; or (2) the subsidy is payable under the terms of the agreement; whichever is greater. Makes conforming changes.