Sen. Fady Qaddoura

Repeals the constitutional provision for drawing legislative districts by the general assembly. Requires the general assembly to establish an independent redistricting commission to draw congressional and legislative districts. Establishes standards for drawing Indiana congressional districts and Indiana legislative districts. Establishes term limits for members of the general assembly. This proposed amendment has not been previously agreed to by a general assembly.

Prohibits race discrimination based on traits historically associated with race, such as hair texture and protective hairstyles.

Repeals the constitutional provision for drawing legislative districts by the general assembly. Requires the general assembly to establish an independent redistricting commission to draw congressional and legislative districts. Establishes standards for drawing Indiana congressional districts and Indiana legislative districts. Establishes term limits for members of the general assembly. This proposed amendment has not been previously agreed to by a general assembly.

Amends the definition of "electronic payment" for purposes of the statute governing electronic payments to a governmental body (defined as the state or a state agency) to include a payment made by means of any of the following: (1) Interactive voice response. (2) A digital wallet. (3) A digital currency. Provides that after June 30, 2024, a governmental body may not enter into or renew a contract: (1) that is made with a provider or vendor of payment processing services; and (2) the terms of which provide that any: (A) vendor transaction charge; (B) discount fee; (C) or other service charge or fee; assessed in connection with the contract is payable by the person who makes an electronic payment.

Specifies that certain restrictions on the local regulation of firearms, ammunition, and firearm accessories may not be construed to prevent a county, municipality, or township (unit) from regulating firearms, ammunition, or firearm accessories in a manner more restrictive than Indiana law if the regulation is recommended by a law enforcement agency of the unit and a local advocacy group that works to reduce gun violence in the community. Indicates particular regulations that meet these parameters. Provides that a regulation adopted by a unit must comply with the Constitution of the United States and the Constitution of the State of Indiana.

Provides that the department of correction may not provide transportation to, or procure transportation or public transportation to, a county other than the released offender's county of residence at the time of conviction unless certain circumstances apply.

Provides that at least 65% of the funds distributed to a county containing a consolidated city from the motor vehicle highway account (MVHA) shall be used for the construction, reconstruction, and preservation of highways by the county and the consolidated city respectively. (Current law provides that at least 50% of the funds distributed to a county or a municipality from the MVHA is to be used for the construction, reconstruction, and preservation of the county or municipality's highways.) Provides that, for purposes of determining the right of the consolidated city to receive a distribution of money from the MVHA based on population, the population of all the territory of the consolidated city is considered its population. Provides that, beginning in calendar year 2024, the consolidated city must use: (1) the entire amount distributed to the consolidated city from the MVHA that is attributable to the consolidated city's population in Wayne, Pike, and Decatur townships not included in the population of the fire special service district; and (2) an appropriation that is the greater of $8,000,000 or the amount of the distribution from the MVHA that is attributable to the consolidated city's population in Wayne, Pike, and Decatur townships not included in the population of the fire special service district in the previous year; for the construction, reconstruction, and preservation of the consolidated city's local streets and alleys. Requires the Indiana department of transportation (department) to: (1) conduct a study, with advisement from the consolidated city, to determine the asset condition of the consolidated city's former state highways; (2) appear before the interim study committee on roads and transportation during the 2023 legislative interim to provide testimony on the department's findings and observations from the study; and (3) not later than November 1, 2023, report the department's findings and observations to the interim study committee on roads and transportation.

Provides that, beginning with the cohort of students who are expected to graduate from a public school, a charter school, or a state accredited nonpublic school in 2028, an individual must successfully complete a personal financial responsibility course (course) before the individual may graduate. Creates requirements for content that must be covered in a course. Provides that a public school, a charter school, or a state accredited nonpublic school must offer instruction on a course as a separate subject. Provides that the state board may allow a course to satisfy one or more diploma course requirements.

Provides that, subject to certain procedures and requirements, the office of the secretary of family and social services may apply to the United States Department of Health and Human Services: (1) for a Medicaid state plan amendment, a waiver, or an amendment to an existing waiver to require reimbursement for eligible certified community behavioral health clinic services; or (2) to participate in the expansion of a community mental health services demonstration program. Requires the division of mental health and addiction to establish and maintain a help line: (1) to provide confidential emotional support and referrals to certain resources to individuals who call the help line; and (2) that is accessible by calling a toll free telephone number. Establishes the Indiana behavioral health commission (commission) and sets forth the commission's membership. Changes the name of the "9-8-8 crisis hotline center" to "9-8-8 crisis response center". Makes conforming changes.

Provides that the commission for higher education shall do the following: (1) In cooperation with the department of education, identify students who meet the requirements to participate in the twenty-first century scholars program (program). (2) Notify the student and the custodial parent or guardian of the student, if the student is an unemancipated minor, that: (A) the student is eligible to participate in the program; (B) the student must agree to the conditions required to participate in the program; and (C) the student has the right to opt out of the program at any time.