Sen. Linda Rogers

Establishes a procedure for the general assembly to call itself into session at times not specifically scheduled in statute. Provides that: (1) the initial state of disaster emergency may not continue longer than 30 days following the initial date of the declaration; and (2) a state of disaster emergency may not be renewed or extended by the governor without the approval of the general assembly. Provides that if the governor calls a special session, the special session shall be limited only to consideration of the purpose for which the initial state of disaster emergency was declared.

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.

Establishes the Indiana education scholarship account program (program). Provides that, after June 30, 2022, a parent of an eligible student or an emancipated eligible student may establish an account in the program. Establishes eligibility requirements regarding the program. Provides that the treasurer of state shall, in consultation with the state board of education and the department of education, administer the program. Provides a deduction from Indiana adjusted gross income for a grant amount that is distributed to a taxpayer's Indiana education scholarship account and used for a qualified expense, to the extent the distribution is included in the taxpayer's federal adjusted gross income.

Renames the judicial nominating commission as the commission on judicial nominations and qualifications. Provides that one commission member is selected by attorneys licensed in Indiana, one commission member is appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives, and one commission member is appointed by the president pro tempore of the senate. Requires that, of the three members appointed by the governor, at least one commission member must be an attorney. Prohibits a person who is a lobbyist from serving on the commission. Provides for the governor to fill a vacancy on the supreme court or the court of appeals from nominees recommended by the commission, subject to confirmation by the senate. Provides that a justice of the supreme court or a judge of the court of appeals serves until July 1 of the tenth year after the justice's or judge's appointment is confirmed by the senate or the justice's or judge's retention in office is confirmed by the house of representatives. Provides that if a justice or judge wants to serve a new term, the justice or judge must apply to the house of representatives for retention. Specifies that a judge or justice will be retained, unless: (1) the judge or justice does not apply to the house of representatives for retention; or (2) at least 60% of the members of the house of representatives vote against retention. Amends the provisions concerning impeachment proceedings for a justice or judge. Provides a transition for justices and judges serving at the time of the adoption of these amendments to the constitution. This proposed amendment has not been previously agreed to by a general assembly.

Requires each school corporation, charter school, and state accredited nonpublic elementary school to include cursive writing in its curriculum.

Allows the residents of: (1) health facilities; and (2) residential care facilities; to consent to the authorized electronic monitoring (monitoring) of their rooms. Allows specified individuals to consent to monitoring on behalf of health facility and residential care facility residents. Allows certain individuals to request conditions and restrictions when consenting to monitoring. Requires conditions and restrictions concerning monitoring to be memorialized in writing. Requires certain forms to be created and signed by specified parties when commencing or modifying monitoring. Allows certain individuals to refuse monitoring by withdrawing or withholding consent. Requires the withdrawal or withholding of consent to be memorialized in writing. Prohibits monitoring when certain parties refuse or decline consent. Requires a facility to make a reasonable effort to cohort residents in a manner that makes monitoring feasible. Specifies that a resident who occupies a private room for the purpose of making monitoring feasible must pay a private room rate. Requires a: (1) health facility; or (2) residential care facility; to provide specified individuals with complete copies of specified paperwork concerning monitoring upon request. Requires certain paperwork concerning monitoring to be made a permanent part of a resident's clinical report. Provides: (1) health facilities; and (2) residential care facilities; with immunity from civil liability when making a good faith effort to comply with laws, conditions, and restrictions pertaining to monitoring. Specifies that no other person or entity may be held liable for certain damages by reason of an agency relationship with a: (1) health facility; or (2) residential care facility; when the health facility or residential care facility is not liable for certain damages. Specifies an exception. Specifies permitted purposes for recordings created by an electronic monitoring device (device). Provides that a person who knowingly or intentionally hampers, obstructs, tampers with, or destroys: (1) a device; or (2) a recording created by a device; commits a Class A misdemeanor. Specifies that the offense is a Level 6 felony if the person knowingly or intentionally conceals or attempts to conceal any hampering, obstruction, tampering with, or destruction of a device or recording. Specifies an exception. Requires the state department of health to create certain forms for the purpose of memorializing specified requirements concerning monitoring. Defines certain terms.

Provides that federal Paycheck Protection Program loans that are subsequently forgiven are not subject to Indiana adjusted gross income tax (AGI). Provides that if a taxpayer incurs an expense described in 15 U.S.C. 9005(b) that: (1) would have been deductible in determining AGI; but (2) the deduction for the expense was denied for federal purposes as the result of being paid from loan amounts forgiven or reasonably anticipated to be forgiven; the taxpayer is permitted a deduction in determining AGI in the amount that otherwise would have been allowable in determining AGI. Provides a deduction in the calculation of AGI.

Provides that a student who withdraws from school after completing grade 10 may not be included in a school's graduation rate if the student's parent submits to the school the following statements while the student is enrolled in grade 8: (1) A statement from the parent affirming that the parent has a sincerely held religious belief against the taking of a photograph and that the student will be withdrawing from school after completing grade 10 in order to complete a career pathway certification or due to the parent's deeply held religious belief. (2) A statement from a member of the clergy of the religious organization of which the parent is a member regarding the prohibition of photography of members of the religious organization. Requires at least one parent of the student to provide proof that the parent has been issued a photo exempt driver's license or identification card.

Requires a teacher preparation program to include content within the curriculum that: (1) prepares teacher candidates to use evidenced based trauma informed classroom instruction and recognition of social, emotional, and behavioral reactions to trauma that may interfere with a student's academic functioning; and (2) provides information on certain applicable Indiana laws. Requires a teacher preparation program to consider using certain curricula pertaining to student trauma.

Provides that, except in certain circumstances, a person may not hold or use a telecommunications device while operating a moving motor vehicle. Removes prohibitions on typing, transmitting, or reading a text message or an electronic mail message while operating a moving motor vehicle. Provides that the bureau may not assess points under the point system for a violation occurring before July 1, 2021.