Sen. J.D. Ford

Changes the current incremental finance charge limits that apply to a small loan to a maximum annual rate. Prohibits making, or taking other actions with respect to, a small loan with a greater rate or amount of interest, or other fees and charges, than allowed under the statute governing small loans. Prohibits a credit services organization from providing certain functions with respect to a small loan and makes a violation a deceptive act.

Reduces the current appropriation for the Indiana public retirement system teachers' retirement fund for the 2020-2021 state fiscal year from $946,600,000 to $846,600,000. Appropriates to the department of education $100,000,000 for the 2020-2021 state fiscal year to be used by the department of education to provide supplemental funding for teacher salaries.

A SENATE RESOLUTION congratulating Dr. Tom Harmas as the 2019 High School Principal of the Year.

Repeals a provision that provides that the professional growth experience points required to renew a practitioner license or an accomplished practitioner license be obtained through the completion of externships or certain other types of professional development.

Sets the income eligibility requirements for the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program at phased-in specified percentages of the federal income poverty level. Requires the division of family resources to amend the state TANF plan or take any other action necessary to implement the income requirements. Increases certain payment amounts under the TANF program beginning January 1, 2022. Requires the payments to be annually adjusted using the Social Security cost of living adjustment rate, but provides that the total adjustment in a year must be reduced to the extent the adjustment would result in the transfer to the Child Care and Development Fund grant program being less than the maximum allowable transfer under federal law. Authorizes emergency rulemaking concerning the payments. Repeals language requiring the division of family resources to apply a percentage reduction to the total needs of TANF applicants and recipients in computing TANF benefits.

Requires electronic poll books and voting systems used during in-person absentee voting at the circuit court clerk's office or a satellite location to be sealed each day when absentee voting at the site concludes.

Establishes the Indiana state forest commission. Specifies the membership of the state forest commission. Requires the state forest commission to meet in 2020, 2021, and 2022 and to issue a written report establishing a plan for the management of the state forests for the 100 year period beginning in 2023. Provides that the state forest commission's plan must contain certain recommendations and must embody certain principles. Requires the state forest commission to set forth in its report the subjects discussed and issues raised concerning which the general assembly may choose to pass legislation. Requires the natural resources commission to adopt rules incorporating the state forest commission's determination about the percentage of state forest land falling within each of the three "priority use" categories. Requires the natural resources commission, every seven years, to conduct a review of the implementation of the state forest commission's plan and to adopt rules to revise the plan, as appropriate.

Provides that a choice scholarship school (eligible school) may not discriminate against a staff member based on disability, race, color, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, marital status, national origin, religion, or ancestry. Provides that if the department of education (department) determines that the eligible school discriminates against a staff member of the school, the department shall send a notice to the eligible school indicating that the eligible school will not be considered an eligible school beginning in the school year immediately following the current school year. Provides that the eligible school has 30 days from the date of the notice to demonstrate to the department that the eligible school does not discriminate against staff members. Provides that an eligible school that does not comply within that time will not be considered an eligible school beginning in the school year immediately following the current school year. Provides that an eligible school may not discriminate against a student on the basis of sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or marital status.

Requires an approved postsecondary educational institution that receives financial aid administered by the commission for higher education and issues a student identification card to include the following information on the student identification card: (1) A statement regarding sexual violence services. (2) The name and Internet web site for the live chat service of the Rape, Abuse and Incest National Network (RAINN). (3) The number for the national sexual assault telephone hotline.

Provides that a county election board (board) shall adopt a county election incident response plan (response plan) that includes at least the following: (1) A plan for the physical security of all voting systems, electronic poll books, and any other election equipment under the control of the board. (2) A response plan to any natural disaster that occurs in the county and affects the ability of the board to conduct an election in the county. (3) A response plan to any medical or manmade emergency occurrence that prevents a person from voting in person at a polling place. (4) A response plan to any cybersecurity incident that affects the circuit court clerk, board, board of registration, or any county election voter registration system. (5) Any other matters the board considers necessary. Provides that a response plan or any amendment to a response plan: (1) must be adopted by a majority vote of the board; and (2) shall be filed with the election division not later than noon three days after it is adopted by the board. Provides that not later than noon on January 31 of each year, the board shall file its current plan with the election division. Provides that a plan, an amendment to a plan, and any documents used in consideration of drafting a plan or amendment are confidential.