Sen. Jim Tomes

Provides that the New Harmony and Wabash River bridge authority (bridge authority) and its members, officers, and employees are immune from civil liability resulting from any act or omission related to implementation of the statute that establishes the bridge authority. Provides that the immunity does not extend to a person who commits an act or omits to do an act that amounts to gross negligence or willful and wanton misconduct. Requires the attorney general to defend the bridge authority and its members, officers, and employees if any of these are made a party to a civil suit and the attorney general determines that the suit has arisen out of an act or omission of any of these authorized or required under the bridge authority law or any other law. Repeals an existing statute in the bridge authority law relating to civil immunity.

Provides that a township or a county may assume maintenance of a cemetery for which it would otherwise not be responsible. Requires a property owner that has a cemetery located on the owner's property to make a reasonable effort to maintain the cemetery. Provides that a township or county that assumes responsibility for maintaining a cemetery may seek reimbursement from the property owner for the cost of maintenance. Provides that a property owner commits a Class C infraction if the property owner fails to maintain the cemetery after the township or county provides two written notices.

Requires every infant to be screened for Adrenoleukodystrophy (ALD) at the earliest feasible time. Requires the infant pulse oximetry screening examination to be given according to rules adopted by the state department of health.

Establishes a procedure for a criminal court to use in determining if a defendant is indigent. Provides that, if a court has ordered a defendant to pay part of the cost of representation, the court shall inquire at sentencing whether the defendant has paid the required amount. Specifies that a court may prorate fines, fees, and court costs based on the person's reasonable ability to pay. (The introduced version of this bill was prepared by the interim study committee on corrections and criminal code.)

Provides that a city shall pay for the care of a police officer or firefighter who suffers an injury while performing the person's duty or while the person is on duty or who contracts illness caused by the performance of the person's duty.

Requires the board of firefighting personnel standards and education to establish best practices to improve safety and health outcomes for firefighters. Establishes the best practices fund for the purpose of providing matching grants to political subdivisions and volunteer fire departments to purchase equipment and other gear to implement best practices. Provides that the worker's compensation rating bureau of Indiana may recommend a premium or rate discount toward worker's compensation insurance to political subdivisions and volunteer fire departments that implement best practices.

Extends eligibility for National Guard license plates to former members of the National Guard.

Makes changes to statutes applicable to the review of budgets of certain public libraries. Establishes a procedure for public libraries to identify the applicable city, town, or county fiscal body to receive a public library's proposed budget. Includes public libraries in the definition of "qualified entities" for purposes of criminal background checks. Requires, before December 31, 2020, a public library to adopt a policy regarding conducting criminal background checks for individuals who are more than 18 years of age and who: (1) apply to the public library for employment or volunteer work; or (2) are currently employed by or perform volunteer work for the public library. Provides that a library board may issue a local library card without charge or for a reduced fee to an individual who is not a resident of the library district and who is a child receiving foster care services.

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.)

Repeals a provision that requires an individual to possess a prescription to purchase an insulin drug.