Sen. Jim Buck

Establishes the Hoosier hospitality small business restart grant program (program) to provide grants to eligible entities to accelerate economic recovery from the impacts of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic. Establishes the small business restart grant fund (fund). Provides that the Indiana economic development corporation (corporation) administers the program and fund. Allows the corporation to award grants from the fund. Provides parameters for the program. However, authorizes the corporation to change the parameters of the program, which, if a change is made, must be reviewed by the budget committee at the meeting following the change. Makes an appropriation.

Removes a provision that allows a: (1) delinquent child's; or (2) person's; Medicaid participation to be terminated following a two year suspension due to certain adjudications or incarceration. Adds competency restoration services to the list of treatment and wraparound recovery services made available to certain persons in the criminal justice system. Adds competency restoration services to the list of services that qualify a person for mental health and addiction forensic treatment services. Adds: (1) recovery community organizations; and (2) recovery residences; certified by the division of mental health and addiction (division) or its designee to the list of organizations eligible for certain funds and grants from the division. Requires demographic data concerning race and ethnicity to be included in certain demographic research performed by the division.

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION directing the Congress of the United States to propose to the several states an amendment to the United States Constitution concerning the membership of the United States Supreme Court.

A SENATE RESOLUTION declaring that the policy of the state is to protect the constitutional right to keep and bear arms.

Amends the definition of dentistry. Provides that a dentist may order and administer an immunization that is recommended by the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices for individuals who are not less than eleven years of age, if the dentist: (1) is certified in cardiopulmonary resuscitation; (2) has successfully completed a course of training in immunization that meets specified requirements; and (3) administers the immunization in accordance with a protocol that includes specified requirements and procedures. Prescribes reporting requirements for a dentist who administers an immunization. Provides that a dentist: (1) is not required to administer immunizations; and (2) is not required to complete immunization training if the dentist chooses not to administer immunizations. Provides that a health insurance plan, including a health management organization contract, may not require a dental provider to accept payment under the health insurance plan by virtual claim payment. Requires a health insurer, including a health maintenance organization, to do the following before providing payment to a dental provider by electronic funds transfer, including by virtual claim payment: (1) Notify the dental provider of fees associated with the electronic funds transfer. (2) Advise, concerning virtual claim payments, the dental provider of the methods of payment available under the health insurance plan and provide clear instructions to the dental provider as to how to select an alternate payment method.

Provides that a qualified nonresident veteran who enrolls in a state educational institution not later than three years after the date of the qualified nonresident veteran's discharge or separation from the armed forces of the United States or the Indiana National Guard is eligible to pay the resident tuition rate at a state educational institution. Establishes requirements for eligibility.

Requires, not later than July 1, 2022, the state board of education, in coordination with the department of education, to establish standards for civics education. Establishes the: (1) Indiana civic education commission; and (2) duties of the commission. Provides that each school corporation, charter school, and state accredited nonpublic school shall require each student to successfully complete in grade 6, 7, or 8 one semester of a civics education course. Provides that the civics education standards in effect on July 2, 2022, may only be changed by the express authorization of the general assembly.

Permits a person to file a statement or notice that a recorded discriminatory covenant is invalid and unenforceable.

Allows a member of a governing body of a political subdivision to participate in a meeting electronically subject to the following: (1) Requires the governing body to adopt a written policy establishing procedures for electronic participation. (2) Requires the technology to permit simultaneous communication between members and the public to attend and observe the proceedings. (3) Requires at least 50% of the members to be physically present at the meeting site. (4) Allows a member participating electronically to be counted for quorum purposes. (5) Provides that a member participating electronically may participate in a final action taken by the governing body only if the member can be seen and heard. Exempts governing bodies of state agencies that have a majority of members with disabilities from certain attendance requirements. Provides that if a statute requires a manual signature for attesting or authenticating an obligation issued by certain state and local public entities, an electronic signature has the same force and effect as a manual signature. Adds provisions applicable to state and local public agencies when a state or local disaster emergency is declared. Allows the governing body of a school corporation or charter school (school employer) may allow governing body members and the public to participate electronically in a public hearing required under the law for purposes of collective bargaining. Makes stylistic changes.

Effective March 30, 2022: (1) Repeals the law that requires a person to obtain a license to carry a handgun in Indiana; (2) Specifies that certain persons who are not otherwise prohibited from carrying or possessing a handgun are not required to obtain or possess a license or permit from the state to carry a handgun in Indiana; (3) Prohibits certain individuals from knowingly or intentionally carrying a handgun; (4) Creates the crime of "unlawful carrying of a handgun"; (5) Provides that a prohibited person who knowingly or intentionally carries a handgun commits a Class A misdemeanor; (6) Specifies that the unlawful carrying of a handgun is a Level 5 felony if a person: (A) is less than 23 years of age; and (B) has an adjudication as a delinquent child for an act described by IC 35-47-4-5 (unlawful possession of a firearm by a serious violent felon); (7) Allows a resident of Indiana who wishes to carry a firearm in another state under a reciprocity agreement entered into by Indiana and the other state to obtain from the superintendent of the state police department a reciprocity license; (8) Requires law enforcement agencies to make use of certain data bases when issuing reciprocity licenses; (9) Specifies the following fees for reciprocity licenses: (A) $0 for five year reciprocity licenses, and (B) $75 for lifetime reciprocity licenses; (10) Provides that a person who knowingly or intentionally exerts unauthorized control over a firearm of another person with the intent to deprive the person of any part of its value or use commits theft, a Level 5 felony; and (11) Allows for the imposition of an additional fixed term of imprisonment when a person knowingly or intentionally: (A) points; or (B) discharges; a firearm at someone the person knew, or reasonably should have known, was a first responder. Effective July 1, 2021: (1) Provides that the following must develop a process that allows law enforcement officers the ability to quickly access information about whether a person is a prohibited person who may not knowingly or intentionally carry a handgun: (A) The state police department; (B) The bureau of motor vehicles; (C) Local law enforcement agencies; and (D) Any other state entity with access to information related to persons who may not knowingly or intentionally carry a handgun; (2) Provides that the information made available to law enforcement officers must meet all state and federal statutory, constitutional, and regulatory requirements; and (3) Allows state entities to enter into a memorandum of understanding to ensure that all legal requirements are met. Defines certain terms. Makes conforming amendments.