Sen. Jeff Raatz

Provides that the bureau of motor vehicles (bureau) shall stay a suspension of a person's driving privileges, and terminate that suspension, upon a showing of proof of future financial responsibility, and provides that an individual whose suspension has been terminated because the individual submitted proof of future financial responsibility is not required to pay a reinstatement fee. Requires that the bureau terminate a suspension of a person's driving privileges if the bureau does not receive proof that financial responsibility is not in effect after 180 days. Provides that a suspension may be stayed and then terminated if a person fails to pay the judgment. Provides that a warrant may be issued for failing to appear in a traffic violation case if the charge is a misdemeanor or a felony. Provides that a person whose support obligation is enforced by the Title IV-D agency may have the obligor's driving privileges reinstated. Provides that the bureau shall place in forbearance license reinstatement fees of individuals who: (1) are nonviolent offenders; (2) have completed a criminal sentence or are serving terms of probation or parole; and (3) are enrolled in job training or maintain consistent employment for at least three years following completion of job training. Provides that the bureau shall waive all reinstatement fees and reinstate the driving privileges of an individual who has had reinstatement fees placed in forbearance after the individual maintains consistent employment for at least three years. Provides that the bureau, in collaboration with the department of correction, shall administer programs and activities to facilitate the reinstatement of driving privileges for convicted offenders not later than July 1, 2021. Extends the traffic amnesty program for one year to permit certain persons owing unpaid traffic fines, or who may be required to pay a fee for reinstatement of driving privileges, to obtain a reduction in the amount owed or amount payable.

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION memorializing Irv Cross.

Requires the state board of education (state board) to adopt administrative rules to allow an organization to provide credit under a Core 40 curriculum model for alternative programs in which students obtain credit counting toward the student's graduation requirements from nonschool educational experience that applies or incorporates content area knowledge in lieu of a required or elective course in the Core 40 curriculum model.

Reinstates provisions that were repealed in the 2016 session in Senate Bill 309 regarding eligibility for the property tax exemption for improvements on real property that are constructed, rehabilitated, or acquired for the purpose of providing low income housing. Provides that payments in lieu of taxes (PILOTS) may be required from a property owner claiming such an exemption.

Changes the eligibility requirements for the next generation Hoosier educators scholarship and provides that a student may qualify for the scholarship by achieving a cumulative grade point average upon graduation of at least a 3.5 on a 4.0 grading scale during grades 9, 10, 11, and 12. Requires the commission for higher education to give priority to an individual who is: (1) a recent high school graduate; (2) pursuing a teacher shortage area; (3) showing significant financial need; or (4) a member of a household with an annual income of not more than the amount required for the individual to qualify for the free or reduced price lunch program as determined for the immediately preceding taxable year. Provides that the National Guard tuition supplement program may be used by a scholarship applicant for graduate credits.

Provides that before an individual can access an application that is submitted in an electronic format using a module of the computerized list, the individual must provide either the individual's Indiana driver's license number or the last four digits of the individual's Social Security number.

For purposes of the statutes governing: (1) first lien mortgage transactions; (2) the Uniform Consumer Credit Code; and (3) financial institutions; changes references to federal laws within those statutes from federal laws as in effect on December 31, 2019, to federal laws as in effect on December 31, 2020. Amends the statute concerning loans made by a credit union to the credit union's members to eliminate certain requirements with respect to loans secured by real estate. Amends the definition of "check" for purposes of the statute governing licensed cashers of checks to remove a reference to a "personal money order".

Allows an individual to make a health care advance directive that gives instructions or expresses preferences or desires concerning any aspect of the individual's health care or health information and to designate a health care representative to make health care decisions and receive health information for the individual. Consolidates definitions of "life prolonging procedures". Requires the state department of health to prepare a sample advance directive. Provides that the appointment of a representative or attorney in fact to consent to health care that was legally executed before January 1, 2023, is valid as executed. Adds definitions of "notarial officer", "observe", "present", and "telephonic interaction" to allow a mentally competent declarant to sign an advance directive by using technology to interact in real time with a notarial officer or with two attesting witnesses. Specifies certain prerequisites when witnessing specified directives through telephonic interaction. Provides for remote witnessing or signing of separate paper counterparts that are assembled later into a complete composite paper advance directive. Provides that the new health care directive provisions do not affect the consent provisions concerning abortion or a minor's medical or hospital care and treatment with respect to the minor's pregnancy, delivery, or postpartum care. Provides that an attending advanced practice registered nurse or physician assistant may perform the same functions and have the same responsibilities as an attending physician for purposes of an out of hospital do not resuscitate declaration. Adds cross references. Defines certain terms. Makes conforming changes. Makes technical changes.

Provides that a taxpayer, upon appealing the assessment of certain commercial real property, must provide information concerning the actual construction costs for the commercial real property. Provides that if a taxpayer does not provide information concerning the actual construction costs for the commercial real property before the hearing scheduled by the county property tax assessment board of appeals (board of appeals) regarding the assessment of the commercial real property, the appeal may not be reviewed until all the information is provided. Provides that if a taxpayer has not provided all relevant and reasonably available information concerning the actual construction costs of the commercial real property under appeal within 10 days before the scheduled hearing by the board of appeals, the appeal is deemed void for that assessment year and may not be refiled or appealed. Provides that a county fiscal body may adopt an ordinance to provide that the county assessor be reimbursed for legal costs (in addition to other specified costs under current law) incurred by the county assessor in defending an appeal that is uncommon and infrequent in the normal course of defending appeals. Provides that the fiscal body of a county may adopt an ordinance to establish a property tax amnesty program and require a waiver of interest and penalties added before January 1, 2021, on delinquent taxes and special assessments on real property in the county if: (1) all of the delinquent taxes and special assessments on the real property were first due and payable before January 1, 2021; and (2) before November 1, 2022, the taxpayer has paid all of these delinquent taxes and special assessments and has also paid all of the taxes and special assessments that are first due and payable after December 31, 2020. Requires the waiver of interest and penalties in these circumstances, notwithstanding any payment arrangement entered into by the county treasurer and the taxpayer. Provides that the waiver of interest and penalties under a program shall not apply to interest and penalties added to delinquent property tax installments or special assessments on real property that was purchased or sold in any prior tax sale.

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION recognizing Surety Community Ladies Center for their compassionate, life-affirming services to the communities of Richmond and Wayne County, Indiana.