Sen. Rodney Pol

Allows a political subdivision to publish notice in the print or electronic edition of a newspaper or locality newspaper that issues a print edition not more than three times a week. Allows, if a newspaper or locality newspaper issues a print edition not more than two times a week, a political subdivision to publish notice: (1) in the print edition or on the newspaper or locality newspaper's website; or (2) if the newspaper or locality newspaper does not have a website, in the print edition or the political subdivision's official website. Allows a notice regarding the sale of certain tracts of real property by a political subdivision to be published solely on the official website of the political subdivision. Provides that if the assessed value of a tract is less than $10,000, based on the most recent assessment of the tract or of the tract of which it was a part before it was acquired, the disposing agent or redevelopment commission is not required to have the tract appraised.

Requires the justice reinvestment advisory council (council) to conduct a study on criminal indigency determinations by all Indiana trial courts. Requires the council to submit a report containing recommendations on specified topics to the legislative council before July 1, 2025. Changes the name of the Indiana public defender commission to the Indiana commission on court appointed attorneys (commission). Provides that from July 1, 2025, through June 30, 2029, certain counties may be reimbursed for 40% of indigent defense services provided for misdemeanors in a superior or circuit court. (Current law excludes misdemeanors from reimbursement.) Requires the commission to submit a report to the legislative council and the budget committee not later than December 1, 2029, concerning the 40% reimbursement for indigent defense services provided for misdemeanors. Requires each clerk of the court to make an annual report to the commission concerning certain fees. Changes the distribution of fees for indigent defendant representation. Increases certain fees if a court finds a person is able to pay the cost of representation by counsel. Prohibits the commission from: (1) receiving additional appropriations from the general assembly for misdemeanor reimbursement; or (2) reimbursing certain counties for misdemeanor reimbursement; before July 1, 2029. Provides that each court in certain counties receiving reimbursement from the public defense fund shall require a person claiming indigency to submit a uniform form, prescribed by the office of judicial administration, to assist the court in determining whether the person is indigent. Specifies that such courts shall review or designate a staff member to review the form submitted to ensure accuracy of the information contained in the form. Allows such a court to request any additional information needed from the person to verify the accuracy of the information submitted in the form.

Requires that the Indiana department of labor consult with the Indiana department of veterans' affairs to create and distribute a veterans' benefits and services poster. Provides that the veterans' benefits and services poster must contain certain information. Requires that Indiana employers with more than 50 full-time employees (or their equivalent) display the veterans' benefits and services poster in a conspicuous place.

Requires the Indiana economic development corporation to annually report to the general assembly regarding funds dedicated to supporting child care under specified state and federal programs. Defines an "out-of-school-time program". Requires the office of the secretary of family and social services (FSSA) to publish on the FSSA website a dashboard providing monthly information regarding state and federal child care subsidies available to Indiana residents. Provides that a household is eligible to begin receiving assistance under the federal Child Care and Development Fund (CCDF) voucher program if the household, at the time of FSSA's initial determination of the household's income eligibility: (1) has a household income that does not exceed 85% of Indiana's state median income for the household's family size; (2) includes an individual who is employed by a licensed child care center, a licensed child care home, or a licensed or registered child care ministry; and (3) otherwise meets federal eligibility requirements for the CCDF program. Provides, with respect to the individual with certification in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) required to be present at all times when a child is in the care of a child care provider that is eligible to receive reimbursement through the CCDF program, that the individual is not required to be recertified in CPR annually. Provides that: (1) the early learning advisory committee must commission a third party evaluation to assess existing regulations for child care providers not later than May 1, 2024 (rather than July 1, 2024, under current law); and (2) FSSA must initiate the process of amending FSSA's rules in consideration of the findings of the third party evaluation not later than July 1, 2024. Requires, not later than September 30, 2024, the early learning advisory committee to: (1) complete a study regarding compensation in Indiana for early childhood educators and caregivers at out-of-school-time programs; (2) create an online dashboard to allow access to compensation data; and (3) issue a report containing the committee's findings and recommendations. Amends provisions regarding the On My Way Pre-K voucher program (program) to: (1) provide eligibility for children of child care employees; and (2) amend references to funds provided to children under the program as prekindergarten vouchers, rather than grants. Requires FSSA to establish a micro facility pilot program, under which FSSA shall: (1) develop a regulatory model that: (A) is applicable only to certain licensed or registered child care providers that provide child care for not less than three children and not more than 30 children for at least four hours per day (micro facilities); and (B) incorporates waivers or variances from FSSA's rules applicable to certain child care providers; (2) apply the regulatory model to at least three micro facilities and evaluate the operation of the micro facilities under the regulatory model; and (3) not later than October 1, 2026: (A) make a determination as to whether FSSA will adopt rules specific to micro facilities that incorporate some or all aspects of the regulatory model; and (B) submit to the general assembly a report regarding the pilot program. Requires FSSA to do the following: (1) Amend FSSA's rules to define a "substitute educator" caregiver type for purposes of FSSA's rules pertaining to all categories of child care providers regulated by FSSA. (2) Amend FSSA's rules to allow an employee of a child care provider who: (A) is 16 or 17 years of age; (B) is assigned to a lead caregiver who supervises the employee at all times during which the employee is supervising a child; (C) is never left alone with a child; and (D) meets specified qualifications; to be counted in child/staff ratios for school age child care rooms. (3) Amend FSSA's rules to allow an employee of a child care provider who: (A) is at least 18 years of age; and (B) meets specified qualifications; to serve as the staff person in charge of an infant/toddler room. (4) Issue a report to the general assembly not later than October 31, 2024, documenting the results attributable to: (A) the employer sponsored child care fund; and (B) the employer child care expenditure credit. (5) Study, in collaboration with other specified state agencies, opportunities for resource sharing across state agencies and local units of government to facilitate the fingerprinting of individuals for purposes of conducting national criminal history background checks and issue a report to the governor and the general assembly regarding the results of the study. Makes technical corrections.

Provides that an action for injury to a person that results from the sexual abuse of a child, that has expired under the current statute of limitations, may be commenced before July 1, 2025, against specified entities seeking bankruptcy protection, if certain circumstances exist. Provides that certain images created by artificial intelligence or similar means constitute an "intimate image" for purposes of: (1) a civil action involving nonconsensual pornography; or (2) the crime of distributing an intimate image. Specifies that an intimate image, for purposes of the criminal offense, must appear to depict the alleged victim. Exempts certain news media and internet and cloud service providers from the criminal offense under certain circumstances. Provides that "peep", for purposes of the voyeurism statute, includes the use of a concealed camera with the intent of capturing an intimate image. Makes conforming amendments.

Provides that a parcel of land that: (1) is at least 1/2 of an acre in size; and (2) contains wetlands, as delineated by a person certified in wetland delineation; may be classified as wildlands for purposes of property tax assessment.

Defines an "unlicensed real estate solicitor". Requires an unlicensed real estate solicitor to include a specific disclosure on all solicitations promoting the unlicensed real estate solicitor's intent to purchase a residential, single-family home. Provides requirements for listing agreements and buyer agency agreements. Provides remedies to a homeowner that enters into an agreement with an unlicensed real estate solicitor. Provides that it is a deceptive act enforceable by the attorney general for an unlicensed real estate solicitor to solicit the sale or purchase of real estate without the required disclosure.

Allows a small brewery to manufacture beer for another small brewery if certain requirements are met.

Defines "veteran at risk". Creates the green alert program to provide for public notification regarding missing veterans at risk. Changes the name of the Indiana clearinghouse for information on missing children and missing endangered adults to the Indiana clearinghouse for information on missing children, missing veterans at risk, and missing endangered adults (clearinghouse). Makes conforming changes to the duties of the clearinghouse. Creates certain duties and reporting requirements for law enforcement agencies concerning missing veterans at risk. Provides immunity for a broadcaster who broadcasts, or an electronic billboard operator who displays, a green alert notification and a person who establishes or maintains a green alert website under an agreement with the state police department. Makes technical corrections.

Amends definitions of emergency shelter care, motor vehicle, violent crime, and victim of a child sex crime. Changes out-of-pocket loss to out-of-pocket expenses. Provides that certain records obtained by the victim services division (division) of the criminal justice institute are to remain confidential. Provides that, where justice requires, the division may award compensation before an information or indictment is filed. Adds procedures for claim denial by the division. Provides that an award may not be made unless the claimant has incurred an out-of-pocket expense or loss of income that exceeds $100. Adds that the division may order the payment of compensation for reasonable, documented expenses that were incurred within 180 days of the violent crime. Provides that the director may extend the 180 days to two years for mental health counseling. Requires written verification of all losses and expenses requested before making an award. Adds procedures for application denial and appeals. Repeals the law relating to payment of compensable losses, hearings concerning the merits of an application, decisions by a hearing officer, the reduction of awards, and appealing the findings of a hearing officer.