Sen. Jon Ford

A SENATE RESOLUTION to honor Mary Lemieux for her years of service as a doorkeeper for the Indiana Senate.

Establishes the hunger-free campus grant program (grant program) to provide grants to state educational institutions for purposes of addressing food insecurity among students enrolled in state educational institutions. Provides that the commission for higher education (commission) shall provide a grant under the grant program to a state educational institution, if at least one campus is designated by the commission as a hunger-free campus. Establishes criteria that a campus of a state educational institution must meet in order to be designated a hunger-free campus. Makes an appropriation.

Changes the stamp discount for cigarette distributors from $0.013 to $0.05.

Requires that contractors on a public works project meet certain standards relating to the welding of structural steel.

A SENATE RESOLUTION honoring Senator Michael Griffin for his service to the Indiana Senate and the constituents of Senate District 1.

Removes consideration of income and countable resources in determining an individual's eligibility for participation in the Medicaid buy-in program (program). Requires the office of the secretary of family and social services (office of the secretary) to apply for a state plan amendment or waiver to implement this provision. Prohibits the office of the secretary from considering resources and whether the individual participated in a specified program in determining the individual's eligibility or continuous eligibility for the program. Allows a recipient's participation in an employment network recognized by the federal Social Security Administration to qualify as participating with an approved provider of employment services. Changes minimum and maximum premiums that a recipient must pay. Requires that the premium scale be promulgated by administrative rule. Allows the office of the secretary to annually review the premium amount that a recipient must pay in the program. (Current law requires annual review of the premium amount.) Specifies changes in circumstances that must result in an adjustment of the premium. Specifies that a recipient in the program is eligible for the same services as offered in the Medicaid program. States that an individual's participation in the program does not preclude the individual from participating in a Medicaid waiver program. Specifies that a recipient of the program may simultaneously participate in a Medicaid waiver program and requires the office of the secretary to individually determine eligibility for both programs based on the individual's medical need requirements.

Establishes the early childhood care and education pilot program to provide a cost sharing approach to fund quality early childhood care and education. Establishes the early childhood care and education fund, which is nonreverting. Requires community foundations to report to the general assembly by September 15, 2026. Provides that the pilot program expires June 30, 2027. Makes an appropriation.

Requires a child's attorney to request an independent guardian ad litem or court appointed special advocate under certain circumstances. Provides that the following are entitled to representation by counsel: (1) A child in a proceeding to terminate the parent-child relationship. (2) A child who is, or is going to be, in an out-of-home placement with a child services provider. (3) A child who is at least 12 years of age in a child in need of services case. Allows a child at least 12 years of age to waive the right to counsel only after an initial meeting with the appointed attorney, in open court, on the record and confirmed in writing, and in the presence of the appointed attorney. Establishes the office of the child representative, which consists of both a council directed by a board of directors and a commission. Provides procedures and duties for the council and the commission. Creates the child representative fund. Makes an appropriation.

Establishes the court appointed attorneys for children pilot program (pilot program). Provides that the Indiana office of court services (office) shall administer the pilot program. Requires the office to select participating courts. Specifies the requirements for participating courts.

A SENATE RESOLUTION recognizing the humanitarian efforts of St. Jude Children's Research Hospital for the Supporting Action For Emergency Responses (SAFER) Ukraine program.