Sen. Eric Koch

Provides that, beginning with the cohort of students who are expected to graduate from a public school or a charter school in 2027, 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 or charter school may offer instruction on a course as a separate subject or as units incorporated into appropriate subjects. Provides that a course may qualify as a mathematics credit for an alternative diploma under if offered as a separate subject.

Allows a township that does not have a township trustee or township board to merge with another township, if identical resolutions approving the merger are adopted by the following: (1) The township trustee and legislative body of the other township. (2) The county executive.

Requires the board of trustees of the Indiana public retirement system (board) to make investment decisions with the primary purpose of maximizing the target rate of return on the board's investments. Prohibits the board from making an investment decision with the purpose of influencing any social or environmental policy or attempting to influence the governance of any corporation for nonpecuniary purposes. Specifies an exception. Requires the board to adopt a policy that ensures proxy voting and engagement is based primarily on maximizing the target rate of return on the board's investments. Provides certain guidelines and reporting requirements for proxy voting in relation to the administration of the public pension and retirement funds of the system.

Removes the remedies from chapter 3 of the data security breach statute and adds a reference to relief available under chapter 4 of that statute. (Under current law, the maximum civil penalty in chapter 3 is $5,000 per deceptive act.) Changes the civil penalty under chapter 4 of the data security breach statute to $500,000 per deceptive act. (Under current law, the maximum civil penalty in chapter 4 is $150,000 per deceptive act.) Adds the following to the permissible remedies available for the attorney general to seek for a deceptive act: (1) Restitution for actual harm, but not less than $100 per Indiana resident who suffered actual harm. (2) The cost of administering restitution.

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION honoring Indiana 4-H and recognizing February 7, 2023, as Indiana 4-H Day at the Statehouse.

Provides that the agency settlement fund administered by the budget agency does not include costs and expenses, including reasonable attorney's fees and expert fees, received by the attorney general in connection with an action brought by the attorney general under the deceptive consumer sales act (act). Amends the definition of "consumer transaction" for purposes of the act to include conduct that arises from, occurs in connection with, or otherwise involves a transaction between commercial entities if the conduct results in harm to consumers. Provides that in an action for an injunction brought by the attorney general under the act, the court may order the supplier to pay the costs and expenses of the action, including reasonable attorney's fees and expert fees. Provides that any award, judgment, or settlement for the costs and expenses of the attorney general's action, including reasonable attorney's fees and expert fees, shall be deposited in the consumer protection judgment fund and used to support the efforts of the division of consumer protection. Provides that an action that arises from, or otherwise involves, a consumer transaction that: (1) involves a transaction between commercial entities; and (2) results in harm to consumers; may only be brought and enforced by the attorney general. Provides that the attorney general may not bring an action under the act more than five years after the occurrence of the deceptive act.

Defines "personal information", with respect to a nonprofit organization, as a compilation of data that directly or indirectly identifies a person as a member of, supporter of, volunteer for, or donor to, the nonprofit organization. Prohibits a public agency (defined in the bill as a state agency or a political subdivision) from doing the following: (1) Requiring a person or nonprofit organization to provide personal information to the public agency, or otherwise compelling the release of personal information. (2) Releasing, publicizing, or publicly disclosing personal information in its possession. (3) Requesting or requiring a current or prospective contractor or grantee to provide a list of nonprofit organizations to which the current or prospective contractor or grantee has provided financial or nonfinancial support. Provides exceptions to these prohibitions with respect to disclosures made: (1) in compliance with specified laws; or (2) under certain circumstances in the context of litigation. Provides that personal information is considered confidential and is not subject to disclosure under Indiana's access to public records act (act). Provides that a person alleging a violation of the bill's provisions may bring a civil action for injunctive relief, specified damages, or both. Provides that: (1) a public employee; (2) a public official; or (3) an employee or officer of a contractor or subcontractor for a public agency; who violates the bill's provisions is subject to the penalties and discipline that apply with respect to violations of the act.

Provides that a court may not order a person convicted of a: (1) Level 1 felony; or (2) crime subject to certain enhancements; to a community corrections program. Allows a court to place a person in a community corrections program as an alternative to commitment to the county jail or department of correction. Repeals a requirement that a court suspend the sentence for a person placed in a community corrections program. Specifies that a person sentenced to work release in a community corrections program receives one day of accrued time for each day the person is confined on work release. (Current law only specifies that a person on home detention earns accrued time.) Provides that the violation of a home detention placement term constitutes the crime of escape under certain circumstances. Makes technical changes.

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION recognizing the Indiana Legislative Youth Advisory Council.

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