Sen. Fady Qaddoura

Sets forth requirements for a utilization review entity that requires prior authorization of a health care service. Prohibits a utilization review entity from requiring prior authorization for the first 12 physical therapy or chiropractic visits of each new episode of care. Provides that a claim for reimbursement for a covered service or item provided to an insured or enrollee may not be denied on the sole basis that the referring provider is an out of network provider. Repeals superseded provisions regarding prior authorization. Makes corresponding changes.

Makes various changes to provisions concerning roads and transportation. Allows a taxpayer to claim a credit against state income tax liability for certain qualified railroad expenditures and qualified new rail infrastructure expenditures. Specifies the amount of the credit. Limits the total amount of credits that may be allowed in a state fiscal year and provides for the expiration of the credit. Increases the maximum rate a county containing a consolidated city (consolidated city) may impose for the county wheel tax and the county vehicle excise tax and specifies the purposes for which the proceeds of those taxes must be appropriated. Beginning in 2026, lowers the percentage of funds distributed to counties, cities, and towns (local units) from the motor vehicle highway account that must be used for construction, reconstruction, and preservation of a local unit's highways if certain conditions related to pavement quality are satisfied. Amends provisions pertaining to the Indiana finance authority's authorization to issue revenue bonds or notes, including grant anticipation revenue bonds or notes, to finance highway and road construction projects. Allows the Indiana department of transportation (department) to submit a request to the Federal Highway Administration for a waiver to toll lanes on interstate highways. Provides that, if a request for a waiver to toll lanes on interstate highways is granted, the general assembly is not required to enact a statute before tolling may occur. Allocates responsibility for bridges in a county between that county and a municipality based on the size and location of the bridge. Allows a local county road and bridge board to undertake low water crossing projects. Requires the department to ensure that information regarding funding sources for low water crossing projects is made available to county boards of commissioners and county highway departments. Provides that money in the local road and bridge matching grant (matching fund) must be allocated, transferred, and distributed for specified purposes. Specifies the timing of those allocations, transfers, and distributions. Imposes conditions on the allocations, transfers, and distributions made from the matching fund, including, in state fiscal years beginning after June 30, 2027, limitations on the ability of a local unit to apply for a grant in certain circumstances. Allows local units to use grants from the matching fund for low water crossing projects. Reduces the required local matching amounts and increases the population thresholds that apply to certain local units, if the department approves a grant from the matching fund. Restates a provision allocating 50% of the amount available in the matching fund to local units with a population of less than 50,000. Increases the speed limit on Interstate Highway 465. Requires all townships to annually adopt a capital improvement plan, which must include the balance of all unrestricted funds that exceed the township's budget for the following year. Provides that a township must transfer 30% of the amount of the balance of all unrestricted funds that exceed the township's budget for the following year to the township roads and infrastructure fund. Requires a township board to adopt a resolution if favor of providing money for the improvement and maintenance of roads and infrastructure within the township before a township transfers money for such projects. Provides, for purposes of the provisions regarding township capital improvement plans and township roads and infrastructure funds, that unrestricted funds are cash reserves that are not obligated, committed, encumbered, or restricted for specified purposes. Urges the legislative council to assign to the interim study committee on roads and transportation the study of appropriate road funding formulas. Makes conforming changes.

Provides that a program may be established to provide grants to cancer centers in Indiana to increase breast cancer research projects or breast cancer clinical trials. Provides that a pediatric cancer research and treatment grant program may be established. Establishes the breast cancer research fund and the pediatric cancer research and treatment fund. Prioritizes use of the funds to be on innovative research and treatments with the potential of resulting in novel therapies for pediatric cancer. Requires the state department to submit an annual report to the governor and legislative council concerning the grant program and publish the report on the state department's website.

Allows the office of the secretary of family and social services (office of the secretary) to study and prepare a report containing recommendations for realigning and consolidating the local area agency on aging (area agency) planning and service areas. Amends the definition of "community and home care services" for purposes of community and home options to institutional care for the elderly and disabled program (CHOICE). Prohibits the division of aging from requiring a CHOICE provider to be certified under the Medicaid program or a Medicaid waiver program. Creates an exception for a provider of certain services. Requires an area agency to prioritize CHOICE funding to identify specified individuals and provide community and home care services to these individuals. Requires the office of the secretary, in negotiating reimbursement rates for CHOICE services, to consider the location and availability of service providers. Authorizes the office of the secretary to establish a Medicaid diversion pilot program to evaluate the effectiveness of home modification and telehealth enhanced chronic care services provided by specified area agencies in reducing Medicaid expenditures. Allows the office of the secretary, a managed care organization that has contracted with the office of Medicaid policy and planning, and a person who has contracted with a certain managed care organization or the office of the secretary to contract with an area agency to provide and receive reimbursement for a level of care assessment for the: (1) health and wellness Medicaid waiver; (2) traumatic brain injury Medicaid waiver; and (3) risk based managed care program for the covered population.

Maddy summarySenate Concurrent Resolution 42 is a commemorative bill that formally honors Dr. Thomas Morrison. It recognizes his 34 years of service to the State of Indiana.

Maddy summarySCR 33 is a concurrent resolution that formally recognizes the Indiana Legislative Youth Advisory Council. It acknowledges the council's existence and purpose, without creating new laws or allocating funds.

A SENATE RESOLUTION to recognize the 2025 Senate Democratic Caucus interns for their service during the First Regular Session of the One Hundred Twenty-Fourth Indiana General Assembly.

Maddy summarySenate Resolution 64 is a commemorative resolution that honors Jocelyn Sisson for her 25 years of service upon her retirement from North Central High School. The resolution was authored by Senator Qaddoura and adopted by a voice vote.

Maddy summarySenate Resolution 59 (SR 59) is a commemorative resolution honoring Bronice Odell Bradley on the occasion of his 100th birthday. It serves as a formal recognition by the Senate of this milestone.

Maddy summarySenate Resolution 33 is a commemorative resolution that honors the 2025 Senate Majority Caucus interns. It expresses gratitude for their service to the Indiana General Assembly.