Sen. Liz Brown

Provides that after December 31, 2025, a permit authority may not establish in a unit a zoning overlay district in which one or more commercial solar energy projects (CSE projects) will be located unless each underlying zoning district across which the proposed overlay district will extend is zoned for a use that, under the unit's existing zoning ordinance at the time the overlay district is proposed, permits the location of a CSE project within that underlying district. Provides that if one or more underlying zoning districts across which the proposed overlay district will extend is not zoned for a use that permits the location of a CSE project within that underlying district, each such underlying zoning district, or part of the zoning district, must be rezoned for a use that permits the location of a CSE project within all or part of the underlying zoning district.

Requires a landlord to provide notice at least five days before filing an eviction that includes the following: (1) The amount owed. (2) A calculation of late fees. (3) Acceptable methods of payment. (4) The date the landlord intends to file an eviction if charges remain unpaid. Provides methods of written notice. Provides that notice is not required to terminate a lease if the landlord has met other notice requirements. Requires a landlord to complete required repairs issued by an eligible enforcement authority and meet standards required by a county health department. Repeals a provision concerning refusal or neglect to pay rent and corresponding notice requirements.

Requires a social media operator to restrict a minor user's viewing of social media without first obtaining verifiable parental consent for the minor user. Defines a "minor user" as an individual who is less than 16 years of age. Allows the attorney general to: (1) bring an action against a social media operator that fails to implement a verifiable parental consent method; and (2) issue a civil investigative demand if the attorney general has reasonable cause to believe that any person is engaged in a violation.

Allows the general assembly to amend congressional districts at a time other than the first regular session of the general assembly convening immediately following the United States decennial census. Specifies requirements that apply to any action challenging the apportionment of congressional districts or general assembly districts. Establishes new Indiana congressional districts. Provides for expiration of the current congressional districts on the date of the 2026 general election. Specifies that for purposes of the 2026 primary and general election, a precinct may cross the boundary of a congressional district. Requires the election division to assist each county voter registration office with the implementation of this act. Makes technical and necessary changes in related statutes.

Provides that the judges of the Marion County juvenile courts may not appoint more than 11 magistrates. Eliminates a court in Blackford County and Monroe County. Eliminates a magistrate in Jennings County. Allows the judges of the Elkhart circuit and superior courts to appoint four full-time magistrates. (Current law allows for the appointment of two magistrates.) Adds two superior courts to Hamilton County. Provides that the first judges of Hamilton superior courts No. 8 and No. 9 shall: (1) be elected at the November 2026 general election; (2) take office January 1, 2027; and (3) serve a term of six years. Allows the judges of the Hamilton circuit and superior courts to jointly appoint two additional magistrates to serve the Hamilton County courts. Allows the judge of the Lawrence County juvenile court to appoint not more than one full-time magistrate. Allows the judges of the Vigo circuit and superior courts to jointly appoint one magistrate to serve the Vigo County courts.

Establishes a limited medical license for individuals who: (1) have graduated from certain international medical programs; (2) obtain a health care facility sponsor in an underserved area; and (3) meet certain other criteria. Provides that a limited medical license authorizes the recipient to practice medicine only at a health care facility in an underserved area. Enables the medical licensing board of Indiana (board) to revoke a limited medical license if the recipient stops working as a physician at a health care facility in an underserved area. Provides that a limited medical license may be converted to an unlimited license. Allows the board to require a comprehensive evaluation to determine the individual's competency before issuing an unlimited medical license. Allows, until June 30, 2027, an applicant for an unlimited license to practice osteopathic medicine to take all levels of the Comprehensive Osteopathic Medical Licensing Examination not later than ten years from the date the applicant first passes level 1 of the examination.

Requires safety rest areas, gas stations, and welcome centers to display human trafficking awareness information, and permits massage establishments to display human trafficking awareness information.

Amends the definitions of "discharge for just cause", "employment", and "gross misconduct" for purposes of unemployment insurance. Provides that an unemployment claimant: (1) is required to verify the claimant's identity before a claim can be filed, and as a condition for continued eligibility; and (2) has the right to request a wage investigation and to appeal the results of the investigation to a liability administrative law judge. Allows an unemployment claimant or employing unit to appeal regarding the claimant's status as an insured worker. Requires that all hearings before an administrative law judge or the unemployment insurance review board concerning disputed unemployment claims be set as telephone hearings, unless an objection is made. Allows a disputed unemployment claim to be directly filed with a liability administrative law judge. Provides that administrative records of the department of workforce development (department) are self-authenticating and admissible in an administrative hearing. Provides that the department may release certain confidential records to the extent permitted by federal law. Makes certain changes regarding the reemployment service and eligibility assessment program. Makes various changes regarding extended unemployment benefits. Provides that repayment of a benefits overpayment may be waived if certain conditions are met. Alters certain fee and payment provisions. Removes or alters notice and delivery requirements and extends certain deadlines. Requires the department to issue a written notice of violation to a person who fails to comply with certain authorization requirements. Provides that the department may assess a civil penalty against a person under certain circumstances. Requires civil penalties collected by the department to be deposited in the proprietary educational institution authorization fund. Establishes the unemployment insurance modernization fund (fund). Requires the department to annually submit a report to the budget committee detailing the expenditures made from the fund during the previous state fiscal year. Requires the department to annually submit a report to the budget committee concerning the status of the department's unemployment insurance program. Provides that the department may establish a reemployment pilot program. Makes conforming changes.

Allows a court to order, upon its own motion, that certain eviction records may not be disclosed. Allows a tenant, in certain circumstances, to file a motion requesting that records related to an eviction action not be disclosed. Allows the court to issue an order without a hearing in certain circumstances. Specifies that a final judgment for the recovery of money or costs does not constitute a lien upon real estate and chattels real if certain eviction actions are prohibited from disclosure. Makes conforming changes.

Provides that a granted waiver or variance expires three years after the date that the waiver or variance becomes effective. Removes the requirement that a child receiving child care from a school must be the child of a student or employee of the school. Provides that, not later than June 30, 2026, the division of family resources (division) shall establish an organizational license category for multi-site child care centers operating under one owner, and specifies obligations of the division with regard to the new license category. Provides that, subject to exceptions, certain properties may not be required to comply with a new or different set of building, fire safety, or equipment laws than were originally enforced by the department: (1) before July 1, 2025; or (2) two years after the earlier of the date of the: (A) initial inspection; or (B) plan review. Allows a child care home that was licensed to operate a Class 2 structure before July 1, 2025, to continue operating in the structure notwithstanding the building, fire safety, or equipment laws and regulations.