RG
R Indiana Senate · District 46

Sen. Ronald Grooms

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Total votes
1,130
all sessions
Attendance
98%
17 missed
Higher than 81% of chamber peers
With party
97%
of cast votes
Higher than 85% of chamber peers
Bipartisan score
2%
crosses aisle rarely
Lower than 87% of chamber peers
Sponsored
321
bills & resolutions
Higher than 79% of chamber peers
Committees
0
assignments
321 bills and resolutions

Sponsored bills

Total
321
Primary
162
Co-sponsor
159
This page
321
matching current filters
Primary HB 1082
Signed into law · Indiana House · Lead sponsor
Various higher education matters.

Makes changes to the: (1) definition of "eligible secondary school student"; and (2) requirements regarding agreements between the commission for higher education (commission) and eligible employers; for purposes of the employment aid readiness network (EARN) Indiana program. Makes changes to the name of the "return and complete" project. Makes changes to the definitions regarding the project, including repealing definitions regarding the return and complete project. Requires the commission to: (1) collect and maintain certain information regarding the project; and (2) submit a report to the general assembly and governor regarding the information. Provides that money in the graduate medical education fund does not revert to any other fund. (Current law provides that money in the graduate medical education fund does not revert to the state general fund.) Repeals provisions that do the following: (1) Require state educational institutions to report annually to the commission regarding return and complete students. (2) Expire the return and complete project provisions.

Signed into law Mar 30, 2020 0 co-sponsors
Primary HB 1207
Signed into law · Indiana House · Lead sponsor
Pharmacy matters.

Provides that a state employee plan, a health maintenance organization, an insurer, or a pharmacy benefits manager (health plan provider) may not require a pharmacy or pharmacist to collect a higher copayment for a prescription drug from a covered individual than the health plan provider allows the pharmacy or pharmacist to retain. Allows a pharmacist who meets certain requirements to dispense auto-injectable epinephrine by standing order to a person who: (1) has completed a course on auto-injectable epinephrine; and (2) is an individual in a position to assist an individual who is at risk of experiencing anaphylaxis. Allows a person to administer auto-injectable epinephrine to an individual who is experiencing anaphylaxis if certain conditions are met. Requires the state department of health (state department) to issue a statewide standing order authorizing the dispensing of auto-injectable epinephrine. Authorizes the state health commissioner to issue a statewide standing order authorizing the dispensing of auto-injectable epinephrine. Extends certain immunities to the state department, the state health commissioner, and certain designated public health authorities. Requires the state department to approve courses concerning the administration of auto-injectable epinephrine. Requires a person to have successfully completed the course to be immune from civil liability. Adds exceptions to the requirement that controlled substance prescriptions be in an electronic format. Provides that the board of pharmacy, in consultation with the medical licensing board, may adopt emergency rules. Adds advanced practice registered nurses and physician assistants to the list of out-of-state providers whose prescriptions a pharmacist has a duty to honor. Allows a prescription for a patient to be transferred electronically or by facsimile by a pharmacy to another pharmacy if the pharmacies do not share a common data base. Allows a licensed pharmacy technician to transfer the prescription. Allows a pharmacist to substitute a therapeutic alternative for epinephrine products for a patient and to prescribe sterile water for injection with a prescription drug. Allows a pharmacy technician to administer an influenza immunization to an individual under a drug order or prescription, subject to rules adopted by the board of pharmacy. Provides that aggregated information compiled from annual reports of pharmacy benefit managers to the insurance commissioner is not confidential except for information that would reveal a specific pharmacy benefit manager's proprietary information. Requires: (1) a state employee health plan; and (2) an insurer-provided health plan that complies with the federal Affordable Care Act; to establish a procedure under which the amount paid by a covered individual for a covered prescription drug purchased outside of the health plan will offset the covered individual's deductible. Requires an insurer, when removing a prescription drug from the insurer's formulary or changing the cost sharing requirements applying to the prescription drug, to give an insured for whom the drug has been prescribed 60 days notice of the insurer's action and provide an appeal process through which the insured may request an extension of coverage for the drug through the end of the insured's plan year.

Signed into law Mar 30, 2020 0 co-sponsors
Primary SB 269
Signed into law · Indiana Senate · Lead sponsor
Worker's compensation.

Provides that for worker's compensation and occupational diseases compensation, not later than 14 days from the date that the first installment of compensation is due, an employer or the employer's insurance carrier must file with the worker's compensation board (board) a report of payment of compensation. (Current law provides that not later than 15 days from the date that the first installment of compensation is due, an employer or the employer's insurance carrier must file with the worker's compensation board a compensation agreement.) Provides that for worker's compensation and occupational diseases compensation, the presentation to the employee or to the employee's dependents of certain payments from the employer or the employer's insurance carrier is sufficient tender of the worker's compensation or occupational diseases compensation. Provides that for worker's compensation and occupational diseases coverage, an employer must notify certain employees of the employer's intent to terminate the employee's temporary total disability benefits, and for all instances of termination of benefits, file an electronic notice with the board. (Current law provides that an employer must notify an employee of the employer's intent to terminate temporary total disability benefits in cases not included in statute.) Provides that for worker's compensation and occupational diseases compensation for injuries occurring on or after July 1, 1991, compensation amounts determined for visual impairments shall be: (1) based on the Functional Vision Score; and (2) except in cases of permanent and complete loss of vision by enucleation, be paid as a whole person rating. (Current law provides that for injuries occurring on or after July 1, 1991, compensation amounts determined for: (1) permanent reduction of the sight of an eye less than a total eye loss shall be paid in an amount proportionate to the degree of a permanent reduction without correction or glasses; and (2) 100% loss of vision shall be paid for 50% of the total loss of vision without glasses, plus an additional amount equal to the proportionate amount of the reduction with glasses.) Removes from the compensation schedule for worker's compensation and occupational diseases compensation, for injuries occurring on or after July 1, 1991, that a reduction of vision to 1/10 of normal vision with glasses is 35 degrees of permanent impairment. Provides that the board may dispose of all papers for files when compensation has been awarded either by agreement or upon hearing two years after the termination of the compensation period for files related to worker's compensation and worker's occupational diseases compensation. (Current law provides for one year.) Provides that all records of insurance coverage related to worker's occupational diseases compensation shall be maintained for 35 years. (Current law provides the records be maintained for 45 years.)

Signed into law Mar 21, 2020 0 co-sponsors
Primary SB 334
Signed into law · Indiana Senate · Lead sponsor
Election matters.

Allows (current law requires) the secretary of state and election division to assist a prosecuting attorney in prosecuting certain actions and allow the use of an attorney retained by the secretary of state or election division. Requires boards of elections and registration to attend election security meetings called by the election division. Requires the election division to instruct specified election officials on best practices in answering voters' questions on how to vote, including providing instructions on straight ticket voting. Requires the inclusion of language on a ballot or voting system to tell the voter that the voter is not required to vote a straight party ticket. Changes the time frame in which a voter list maintenance program must be conducted for certain special elections and in an election year other than a year in which a general election is conducted. Removes language that required NVRA officials to obtain voter registration information from certain states. Removes authorization for NVRA officials to enter into a memorandum of understanding with the Kansas Secretary of State to compare voter registration data and voids the memorandum of understanding. Establishes the Indiana data enhancement association to be administered by the NVRA official for the administration of voter list maintenance programs and sets forth requirements. Requires a county voter registration office to determine whether an individual authorized the cancellation of any previous voter registration when the individual registered to vote in another state. Sets forth parameters for when a county voter registration office may rely on information provided by certain entities concerning voter registration from another state. Requires that a report by a county sheriff to the county voter registration office concerning individuals placed in a county correctional facility occur at least once a quarter. States that certain requirements for provisional ballots do not apply to provisional ballots cast: (1) under a court order extending the hours that the polls were open; (2) by a voter who is not on the poll list but indicates that the voter applied to register at a voter registration agency; (3) by a voter after the voter was challenged due to proof of identification; and (4) by a voter who was challenged solely due to failure to provide additional documentation. Requires a court to take evidence to determine whether a county election board filed written notice with the secretary of state and the election division concerning a petition to extend voting hours.

Signed into law Mar 21, 2020 0 co-sponsors
Co-sponsor SB 179
Signed into law · Indiana Senate · Co-sponsor
Election cybersecurity.

Requires counties to enter into an agreement with the secretary of state to use a threat intelligence and enterprise security company designated by the secretary of state for specified security purposes. Provides that this requirement expires January 1, 2023. Requires an employee or agent of a circuit court clerk, a county election board, or a board of registration to meet certain proficiency standards to be qualified to access the statewide voter registration system. Requires applicants for certification of voting systems and electronic poll books to include information regarding: (1) the batteries used in the voting system or electronic poll book, and any peripherals; (2) a planned replacement schedule for the batteries, and (3) plans to test batteries; and (4) plans for emergency replacement of batteries that fail on election day or during the 30 days before election day. Provides that the number of voting systems to be examined in a public test is based on the number of voting system units scheduled by the county election board to be used in the upcoming election. Requires a single list instead of two lists for testing by counties before elections and sets forth selection requirements for testing. Provides that if a county uploads unofficial precinct election results to the statewide voter registration system before certification of the final results, the county must use a universal serial bus (USB) drive that contains anti-malware protection features or other approved data storage transfer methods. Provides that: (1) if a direct record electronic voting system contains a voter verifiable paper audit trail, the precinct election board is not required to print out the paper audit trail in preparing the certificates setting forth the number of votes cast for a candidate or on a public question in the precinct; and (2) the certificates set forth the official votes cast by the voters of the precinct. Provides that after December 31, 2020, an electronic poll book may not display whether a voter's registration record is in active or inactive status. Provides that in a recount or contest proceeding, the information set forth on the voter verifiable paper audit trail may be used as evidence for a recount commission or a court to determine the votes cast for a candidate or on a public question in the precinct. Permits the secretary of state to issue orders (rather than adopting administrative rules) to: (1) designate elections to be subject to a risk-limiting audit or procedure audits conducted after the election; and (2) to administer risk-limiting audits.

Signed into law Mar 21, 2020 1 co-sponsor
Co-sponsor SB 295
Signed into law · Indiana Senate · Co-sponsor
Various education matters.

Extends the date by which public schools, including charter schools, and accredited nonpublic schools must provide age appropriate research and evidence based or research or evidence based instruction on child abuse and child sexual abuse to students. Provides that, beginning July 1, 2021, the department of workforce development must implement a new Indiana career explorer program (program). Establishes requirements for the program. Requires the department of workforce development to issue, not later than December 31, 2020, a request for proposals regarding the part of the program that includes educational and career assessments or tools. Amends grade levels to which certain career exploration models and career preparation models apply. Removes provisions regarding a pilot program for instruction in and use of the Indiana career explorer program and standards. Requires the department of education (department) to prepare and submit an annual report to the state board of education, general assembly, and commission for higher education regarding certain computer science metrics. Requires the department to post the report on its Internet web site.

Signed into law Mar 18, 2020 1 co-sponsor
Co-sponsor SB 273
Signed into law · Indiana Senate · Co-sponsor
Indiana behavioral health commission.

Establishes the Indiana behavioral health commission (commission). Specifies the membership of the commission. Requires the commission to prepare: (1) an interim report not later than October 1, 2020; and (2) a final report not later than October 1, 2022. Specifies the issues and topics to be discussed in the commission reports. Requires commission reports to be issued to the following parties: (1) The governor. (2) The legislative council. (3) Any other party specified by the commission chairperson. Requires commission reports to be issued in an electronic format. Abolishes the commission on December 31, 2022. Defines certain terms. Makes conforming amendments.

Signed into law Mar 18, 2020 1 co-sponsor
Co-sponsor SB 246
Signed into law · Indiana Senate · Co-sponsor
Mental health services.

Requires a school corporation, charter school, or accredited nonpublic school to certify to the department of homeland security that the school corporation, charter school, or accredited nonpublic school has a memorandum of understanding in place with a community mental health center or provider certified or licensed by the state to provide mental and behavioral health services to students before applying for a grant from the Indiana secured school fund. Provides that the community mental health center or provider may be employed by the school corporation, charter school, or accredited nonpublic school. Requires a school corporation and a charter school to enter into a memorandum of understanding with a community mental health center or provider certified or licensed by the state to provide mental and behavioral health services to students. Requires the division of mental health and addiction to develop a memorandum of understanding for referral and assist school corporations and charter schools in obtaining a memorandum of understanding with a community mental health center or an appropriate provider. Requires each school corporation and charter school that enters into a memorandum of understanding with a community mental health center or appropriate provider to comply with certain confidentiality and referral requirements.

Signed into law Mar 18, 2020 1 co-sponsor
Primary SB 272
Signed into law · Indiana Senate · Lead sponsor
Indiana economic development corporation.

Provides that the secretary of commerce or the secretary's designee is a member of the Indiana defense task force and a member of the governor's workforce cabinet. Abolishes the Indiana office of defense development. Provides that if the governor is unable to chair a meeting of the Indiana economic development corporation board, the governor may designate a board member as acting chairperson. Provides that the secretary of commerce or the secretary's designee has certain duties currently assigned to the president of the Indiana economic development corporation to sign warrants drawn by the auditor of state. Provides that the term "taxpayer" includes an assignee as opposed to a lessee for purposes of the industrial recovery tax credit. Revises the terms for assigning an industrial recovery tax credit. Eliminates the tax credit for fostering of employment of students who participate in a course of study that includes a cooperative arrangement between an educational institution and an employer. Makes conforming changes for the elimination of the tax credit. (Under current law, the tax credit applied to taxable years beginning after December 31, 2014, and before January 1, 2019.)

Signed into law Mar 18, 2020 0 co-sponsors
Co-sponsor SB 241
Signed into law · Indiana Senate · Co-sponsor
Pharmacy benefit managers.

Requires a pharmacy benefit manager to obtain a license issued by the department of insurance and sets forth requirements of the pharmacy benefit manager. Provides for the commissioner of the department of insurance to adopt rules to specify licensure, financial and other standards, and reporting requirements that apply to a pharmacy benefit manager. Sets forth requirements and prohibitions of a pharmacy benefit manager. Allows a party that has contracted with a pharmacy benefit manager to request an audit of compliance at least one time per year. Makes violations of the chapter concerning pharmacy benefit managers an unfair or deceptive act or practice in the business of insurance. Allows a pharmacy benefit manager to obtain the license not later than December 31, 2020, in order to do business in Indiana and provide services for any health provider contract beginning January 1, 2021. (The introduced version of this bill was prepared by the interim study committee on public health, behavioral health, and human services.)

Signed into law Mar 18, 2020 1 co-sponsor
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