Requires that the distressed unit appeal board (DUAB) hold a public hearing on the Gary Community School Corporation's current status as a distressed unit before December 31, 2022. Establishes the distressed political subdivision school improvement fund (fund). Provides that DUAB administers the fund. Provides that the following amount of money withheld from the distribution of state tuition support for common school fund obligations of a school corporation that has been designated a distressed political subdivision must be deposited in the fund: (1) For state fiscal years 2021 through 2023, 100% of the money that the state board of finance withholds from the distribution of state tuition support. (2) For state fiscal years 2024 through 2026, 75% of the money that the state board of finance withholds from the distribution of state tuition support. (3) For state fiscal years 2027 through 2030, 50% of the money that the state board of finance withholds from the distribution of state tuition support. Provides that the deposit of withheld state tuition support amounts into the fund ends July 1, 2030. Requires the state board of finance to extend the term of the common school fund obligations to account for the deposits into the fund. Provides that a school corporation that has been designated as a distressed political subdivision may submit a request to DUAB for money from the fund for projects approved by the DUAB after recommendations from the mayor of the city in which the school corporation is located. Provides that the governing body of a school corporation may enter into a public-private agreement for the construction of new school buildings after review of the agreement by the budget committee. Provides that, if the Gary community school corporation sells real property, a building, or other structure owned by the school corporation, the proceeds from the sale must be deposited into the fund.
Sponsored bills
Requires the department of state revenue, the state department of labor, the worker's compensation board of Indiana, and the department of workforce development to report before November 1 of each year for three years, beginning November 1, 2020, to the interim study committee on employment and labor for the immediately preceding state fiscal year: (1) the number of employers that each department or the board determined during the immediately preceding state fiscal year improperly classified at least one worker as an independent contractor; (2) the total number of improperly classified workers employed by those employers; (3) the department's or board's calculation of actual revenue not collected or the additional costs to the state that the department or board attributes to the improperly classified workers; (4) the amount of the penalties and interest assessed against those employers by each department or the board, and the amount of the penalties and interest assessed that has been collected; and (5) the classification criteria used by the department to classify workers. Requires that the reports include only information in the form of aggregate statistics and not include information that can be used to identify specific employers or workers.
Urges the legislative council to assign to an appropriate interim study committee the task of studying pregnancy and childbirth accommodations and the fiscal impact on businesses within Indiana.
Provides that the department of state revenue (department) shall only accept payment of employer withholding taxes that are made or withdrawn directly from the business account of the employer that is liable for withholding and remitting the tax. However, provides an exception from the requirement for employers that submit a waiver to the department. Specifies provisions for the waiver. Prohibits the department from accepting payment of employer withholding taxes that are made or withdrawn from the account of a third party withholding agent, or otherwise remitted by a third party withholding agent, on behalf of an employer, except in the case of an employer that has submitted a waiver. Defines "third party withholding agent". Requires each employer that is required to remit withholding taxes to provide to the department an authorization for reoccurring payment of taxes from the employer's business account that is designated by the employer on the department's online INtax system (INtax). Requires the department to automatically withdraw from the employer's business account the amount of tax withholdings that are reported as due and owing on the taxpayer's Form WH-1 report. Requires the department to provide periodic notice to each employer through INtax of: (1) the date on which the employer's Form WH-1 report is received by the department; and (2) the date on which the department has automatically withdrawn any amount of tax from the employer's business account. However, provides an exception from these requirements for employers that submit a waiver to the department.
Establishes the healthy food financing fund (fund) and healthy food financing program (program) under the administration of the Indiana housing and community development authority (IHCDA). Provides that the purpose of the fund is to provide financing in the form of loans or grants for projects that increase the availability of fresh and nutritious food in underserved communities. Defines an "underserved community" as a census tract determined to be an area with low supermarket access: (1) by the United States Department of Agriculture; or (2) as identified through a methodology used by another healthy food initiative. Provides that the IHCDA may contract with one or more nonprofit organizations or community development financial institutions to administer the program through a public-private partnership. Provides that an applicant for a grant or a loan must demonstrate the capacity to successfully implement the project and the ability to repay the loan. Provides that an applicant for a grant or a loan must agree to satisfy certain conditions. Requires the IHCDA to monitor projects receiving financing and submit a report annually to the legislative council that includes the number and types of jobs created, and the health initiatives associated with the program.
Changes the membership requirements for members of the Native American Indian affairs commission as follows: (1) Specifies that eight, rather than six, members must be Native American Indians from different geographic regions of Indiana. (2) Removes the requirement that two members must be Native American Indians who have knowledge in Native American traditions and spiritual issues. (3) Replaces the commissioner of the commission for higher education or the commissioner's designee as an ex officio member with the director of the department of child services or the director's designee. (4) Provides that not more than two members of the commission may represent the same tribe or organization. (Current law limits a particular tribe or organization to one member.)
Requires an insurer that issues a policy of accident and sickness insurance or a health maintenance organization contract that provides coverage of services for treatment of a mental illness or substance abuse to annually submit a report and analysis to the department of insurance (department) that includes certain information demonstrating its compliance with federal laws regarding parity in coverage of services for treatment of a mental illness or substance abuse and coverage of services for treatment of other medical or surgical conditions, including the processes used: (1) to develop medical necessity criteria for coverage of services; and (2) to develop and apply nonquantitative treatment limitations. Requires an insurer that issues a policy of accident and sickness insurance or a health maintenance organization contract that provides coverage for services for treatment of substance abuse to take certain actions with respect to prescription drugs approved for the treatment of substance abuse. Requires the department to adopt rules to ensure compliance with federal laws regarding parity in coverage. Requires the department to submit before March 1, 2021, a report to the general assembly detailing the steps taken to ensure insurers' compliance with state and federal laws regarding parity in coverage.
Provides the following effective July 1, 2021: (1) Authorizes the Indiana destination development corporation (corporation) to employ a film commissioner. (2) Authorizes the corporation to establish a film and media 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) film and media production incentives offered in other states; and (2) a recommendation on the type of incentive that should be offered in Indiana.
Provides that the Center of Excellence in Leadership of Learning at the University of Indianapolis shall develop a proposal to establish the Indiana youth service program (program) to provide high school students with the opportunity to learn various skills and participate in service at host sites throughout Indiana. Provides that the Center of Excellence in Leadership of Learning at the University of Indianapolis may seek input on the program from the department of workforce development, the commission for higher education, and the legislative services agency. Provides that the Center of Excellence in Leadership of Learning at the University of Indianapolis shall present the proposed program, including costs of administration, to the budget committee and the general assembly for review and consideration not later than December 1, 2020.
Allows the office of the secretary of family and social services to apply for a Medicaid state plan amendment to allow school corporations to seek Medicaid reimbursement for medically necessary, school-based Medicaid covered services that are provided under federal or state mandates. Specifies possible services for Medicaid reimbursement. Adds physical therapy to the list of services a school psychologist may refer a student. Allows a school psychologist to make referrals to physical therapists for mandated school services.