Sen. J.D. Ford

Provides a refundable child and dependent care tax credit to taxpayers whose adjusted gross income for the taxable year is not more than 250% of the federal poverty level. Provides that the credit is equal to the lesser of: (1) an amount ranging from $200 to $1,000, depending on the extent to which the taxpayer's adjusted gross income exceeds the federal poverty level; or (2) 20% of the taxpayer's employment related expenses.

Prohibits a landlord from doing the following in connection with an applicant's application for the rental of a rental unit: (1) Making a hard inquiry to a consumer reporting agency or to a specialty consumer reporting agency for an applicant's consumer report or for information in an applicant's consumer report. (2) Obtaining or using a tenant screening report that includes information that is obtained through a hard inquiry to a consumer reporting agency or to a specialty consumer reporting agency for an applicant's consumer report or for information in an applicant's consumer report. Defines "hard inquiry" for purposes of these provisions as an inquiry that: (1) is noted on the consumer report of the applicant for a period of time following the inquiry; and (2) negatively impacts the applicant's credit score. Provides that a landlord that violates the bill's provisions commits a deceptive act that is actionable by an applicant and the attorney general under the Indiana statute concerning deceptive consumer sales.

Requires a state employee health plan, a policy of accident and sickness insurance, and a health maintenance organization contract to: (1) grant an exception to a step therapy protocol for a prescription drug prescribed for the treatment of postpartum depression that is not indicated by the federal Food and Drug Administration for postpartum depression on the prescription drug's approved labeling; (2) provide coverage for biomarker testing for preeclampsia, doula services, mental health screenings, and treatment for maternal mental health; and (3) develop a maternal mental health program. Requires Medicaid pregnancy services to include reimbursement for doula services and biomarker testing for preeclampsia. Requires the division of mental health and addiction to develop and implement a program for pregnant women and children with a substance use disorder. Requires the office of women's health to: (1) develop, maintain, and disseminate certain information concerning resources that are available to pregnant women and new mothers; and (2) provide continuing education courses concerning postpartum depression and other related mental health disorders. Requires a hospital or birthing center to, before a patient's discharge from the hospital or birthing center following birth, providethe patient with information concerning postpartum depression and other related mental health disorders. Sets forth requirements for screening for preeclampsia using biomarker testing. Establishes the Hoosier family leave insurance program and the Hoosier family leave insurance trust fund. Prohibits an employer from discriminating against an employee who has a condition related to pregnancy or childbirth. Repeals a chapter regarding pregnancy and childbirth accommodation. Requires certain health care practitioners to screen caregivers for signs and symptoms of postpartum depression or other related mental health disorders and provide a referral for the caregiver if the screening is positive for a mental health disorder.

Requires the Indiana utility regulatory commission (commission) to establish a working group to: (1) determine an estimate of the future electricity demands of the data center industry in Indiana; and (2) report to the general assembly regarding the working group's findings and recommendations not later than October 31, 2026. Requires: (1) a person that operates a data center in Indiana to submit to the commission a quarterly report of the amount of electricity used by the data center in the immediately preceding quarter; and (2) the commission to publish a summary of the reported information on the commission's website. Provides that a county, municipality, or township shall, before issuing a permit to a person for construction of a data center: (1) require the person to disclose the projected power and water usage of the facility; and (2) perform a site assessment to determine the possible effects of the data center.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits discrimination based on hair texture or protective hairstyles (like braids, locs, or twists) that are historically associated with race. It directly affects people, particularly Black individuals, who face workplace or public accommodation discrimination due to these hair characteristics. The key provision explicitly bans such discrimination in employment and public services, making it illegal to penalize someone for natural or cultural hair styles. The law aims to address systemic bias by protecting hairstyles linked to racial identity.

Allows an electric or gas utility to establish a customer assistance program for qualified residential customers. Requires the approval of the Indiana utility regulatory commission (IURC) before a public utility may sell stock, enter into certain contracts, effect a reorganization, or acquire control of another public utility. Provides that if a public utility requests IURC approval of the sale, assignment, or transfer of the public utility's franchise, works, or system, the IURC shall grant a right of first refusal to: (1) a municipality in which the public utility's works or system is located; or (2) a public charitable trust; for the purchase or acquisition of the public utility's franchise, works, or system. Provides that the IURC may not authorize a public utility that: (1) provides retail electric or natural gas service; and (2) is under the IURC's jurisdiction for the approval of rates and charges (energy utility); to recover through the energy utility's retail rates and charges any direct or indirect costs associated with specified expenses and activities related to lobbying, legislative action, political activities, charitable giving, litigation, investor relations, and other specified activities and expenses. Requires an energy utility, beginning in 2026, to file with the IURC an annual report that includes specified information concerning costs to: (1) the energy utility; or (2) an affiliate of the energy utility; that are related to these expenses or activities and that are directly billed or allocated to the energy utility. Requires the IURC to make available on the IURC's website a direct link to the annual reports provided by all energy utilities under these provisions. Provides that on any customer bill issued by an energy utility after December 31, 2026, the energy utility must include a break down of the charges and fees that make up the total amount owed, including a description of the service or cost associated with each charge or fee. Sets forth certain charges and fees that must be delineated as specific line items on each customer bill.

Provides that a law enforcement officer may not request verification of the citizenship or immigration status of an individual from federal immigration authorities if the law enforcement officer determines that the individual: (1) has requested emergency medical assistance; or (2) acted in concert with another person who requested emergency medical assistance for an individual who reasonably appeared to be in need of medical assistance. Provides that the individual shall cooperate with emergency medical assistance personnel and law enforcement.

Establishes a board to design, establish, and operate a state administered retirement program (program) that automatically enrolls specified private sector employees. Requires program compliance by certain employers that have not, in the previous two calendar years, offered a qualified retirement plan to employees. Specifies the powers and duties of the board. Specifies program requirements, including default contribution levels and program fees. Requires the board to contract with investment managers, private financial institutions, or other service providers to invest money and administer the program. Limits the liability of particular parties associated with the program. Specifies board requirements for disclosure, audits, and reports. Requires the board to adopt certain rules. Makes an appropriation.

Prohibits the general assembly from establishing or modifying house districts, senate districts, or congressional districts at a time other than the first regular session of the general assembly convening immediately following the United States decennial census.

Requires certain drive-through facilities constructed or renovated after December 31, 2026, to have a separate bypass lane adjacent to the specified drive-through lanes. Makes certain exceptions. Requires the fire prevention and building safety commission to adopt administrative rules.