Sen. Jim Tomes

Provides that the department of homeland security (department) may establish the PFAS biomonitoring pilot program (pilot program) to collect and analyze blood samples of individuals who were previously, or are currently, firefighters: (1) for serum PFAS levels; and (2) to determine whether there may be corresponding health implications associated with elevated serum PFAS levels. Provides that the department may consult with the department of environmental management and the Indiana department of health regarding the pilot program. Provides that the department may, to the extent possible, test 1,000 firefighters. Allows the department to work with a third party to administer the pilot program and to store data collected under the pilot program. Requires the department to submit, not later than July 1, 2027, a report summarizing: (1) the results of the pilot program; and (2) recommendations of the department, the department of environmental management, and the Indiana department of health for decreasing serum PFAS levels and exposure to PFAS chemicals; to the governor and the legislative council. Establishes the PFAS biomonitoring pilot fund.

Establishes the stop the bleed donation pool for the purpose of receiving donations of gifts or donations. Provides that the stop the bleed donation pool is administered by the department of homeland security. Provides that a public safety agency may request bleeding control kits or donations made to the pool.

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION directing the Indiana State Police to study Rapid Deoxyribonucleic Acid (DNA) and provide a report with findings and recommendations to the Legislative Council before December 15, 2023.

Provides that the Indiana state veterans' cemetery may include more than one physical location. Provides eligibility for burial in the Indiana state veterans' cemetery to certain members of: (1) a reserve component of the armed forces of the United States; (2) the Indiana Army National Guard or the Indiana Air National Guard; and (3) the Reserve Officers' Training Corps of the United States Army, Navy, or Air Force. Provides eligibility for burial in the Indiana state veterans' cemetery to spouses of, minor children of, and unmarried adult children of certain members of: (1) a reserve component of the armed forces of the United States; (2) the Indiana Army National Guard or the Indiana Air National Guard; and (3) the Reserve Officers' Training Corps of the United States Army, Navy, or Air Force. Removes program directors of the state approving agency from the list of the employees who must satisfy certain criteria to qualify as a director of veterans' affairs. Amends language addressing one time grants provided by the military family relief fund. Provides that the Indiana department of veterans affairs may provide grants to a qualified entity that provides services to veterans and is exempt from taxation under Section 501 of the Internal Revenue Code for veteran suicide prevention.

Provides that the statewide 911 board (board) may conduct a feasibility study on potential ways in which the computer aided dispatch (CAD) systems used by public safety answering points (PSAPs) in Indiana could be made interoperable to facilitate the standard dispatch of EMS resources based on using the EMS resource that represents the closest and most appropriate EMS resource to respond to an emergency. Provides that the board may submit a report on the study to the following not later than July 1, 2024: (1) The executive director of the legislative services agency to distribute to members of the general assembly. (2) The department of homeland security. (3) The integrated public safety commission. (4) The Indiana department of health. Sets forth information that may be included in the report. Provides that these provisions expire January 1, 2025.

Increases the per diem paid to a commissioner of a housing authority from $25 to an amount up to $100.

Allows a unit to establish a military impact zoning district for an area adversely impacted by the effects of military operations. Establishes a state area of interest that is comprised of land within one or both of the following: (1) Within three miles of certain military installations. (2) Within a military impact zoning district. Makes planning, zoning, and development activity (activity) in a state area of interest subject to the military installation commander's determination regarding the activity's impact on military operations. Allows a representative of the military installation to serve as a nonvoting adviser to the unit's plan commission. Requires a lease or real estate sales disclosure form to disclose that the property is within a state area of interest. Provides that the responsibility for the disclosure required by the owner that the property is located near a military installation rests solely with the owner of the property and no liability for the owner's failure to make the required disclosure shall accrue to any third party.

Establishes the occupational therapy licensure compact.

Requires the commission for higher education (CHE) and the Indiana department of veterans' affairs to develop and implement the higher education purple star designation for the following purposes: (1) To recognize postsecondary educational institutions that are supportive and inclusive of veterans and military connected families. (2) To provide veterans and military connected families with enhanced support for pursuing and finishing a degree or postsecondary credential. Provides that the application for a designation must be made available to interested postsecondary educational institutions on the website of the CHE before May 1, 2024.

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