Sen. Ed Charbonneau

Adopts the physical therapy licensure compact. Makes conforming amendments.

Provides for an expiration date of an allocation area of not more than 50 years in the case of an allocation area established by the redevelopment commission of a qualified city for the purpose of financing a mixed use development project, but only if the legislative body of the qualified city adopts a resolution to approve an independent analysis with regard to the proposed development project that demonstrates the need for an allocation area that exceeds 25 years. Authorizes a qualified city, subject to the same requirement for a resolution of the legislative body, to enter into leases financed with incremental tax revenue from the allocation area for a term not to exceed 50 years for the purpose of financing a mixed use development project. Defines "qualified city" and "mixed use development project" for purposes of these provisions. Provides, that if in any state fiscal year the IEDC determines that it will award an amount of tax credits under $1,000,000, the IEDC must first receive state budget committee review. Establishes the regional economic acceleration and development initiative (READI) fund to provide grants and loans to support economic development and regional economic acceleration and development. Provides that the IEDC administers the fund. Provides that the board of the IEDC (board) may review applications for grants and loans from the fund. Allows the board to form a strategic review committee. Requires the IEDC to establish a policy for the regional economic acceleration and development initiative. Makes an appropriation.

Requires the office of the secretary of family and social services (office) to apply for a Medicaid state plan amendment or Medicaid waiver for the following: (1) Reimbursement of Medicaid rehabilitation option services for a Medicaid eligible recipient who is undertaking an initial assessment, intake, or counseling in a community mental health center. (2) Reimbursement for Medicaid rehabilitation option services concurrently with reimbursement under the residential addiction treatment program. (3) The inclusion of video conferencing and audio services as telehealth for community mental health centers. Amends the definition of "telehealth services" for the Medicaid program. Requires at least two members of the division of mental health and addiction planning and advisory council to be community mental health center chief executive officers or designees. Requires the department of child services to accept certain criminal history checks and fingerprinting performed by community mental health centers for specified professionals if the process used by the community mental health center at least meets or exceeds the department's procedures. Amends the required graduate level courses and clinical experience that an applicant is required to obtain for a license as a clinical addiction counselor. Adds two members to the justice reinvestment advisory council. Makes a conforming change.

Allows a: (1) pharmacist; and (2) pharmacy technician under direct supervision; to administer an immunization for coronavirus disease. (Current law allows a pharmacist intern and pharmacist student who meets certain requirements to administer immunizations that pharmacists are allowed to administer.) Provides that a registered nurse may provide for the direct supervision of the pharmacist intern or pharmacist student who administers an immunization. Immunizations and prescriptions. Requires the Indiana board of pharmacy to adopt emergency rules concerning the administration of the influenza and coronavirus disease immunizations by July 1, 2021. Prohibits a pharmacy benefit manager from requiring a pharmacy to obtain a signature from an individual for a prescription or immunization during a public health emergency.

A SENATE RESOLUTION honoring Senator James W. Merritt, Jr. upon his retirement from the Indiana State Senate.

Beginning January 1, 2022, requires a state employee health plan, a policy of accident and sickness insurance, and a health maintenance organization contract to provide to a covered individual the maximum allowable cost of a generic drug on the written materials provided at the point of sale. Provides that if an agreement between a health plan and a pharmacy benefit manager that is entered into or renewed after December 31, 2021, provides that less than 85% of the estimated rebates will be deducted from the cost of prescription drugs before a covered individual's cost sharing requirement is determined, the pharmacy benefit manager must provide the policyholder with a notice on an annual basis that includes: (1) an explanation of what a rebate is; (2) an explanation of how rebates accrue to the health plan from the manufacturer; and (3) the aggregate amount of rebates that accrued to the health plan for prescription drugs dispensed under the policyholder's health plan for the previous year.

Provides a 25% state tax credit for contributions made to a public school foundation for taxable years beginning after December 31, 2021, and before January 1, 2024. Provides that the amount allowable as a credit in a taxable year may not exceed: (1) $1,000 in the case of an individual filing a single return or a corporation; or (2) $2,000 in the case of a married couple filing a joint return. Provides that the maximum amount of credits that may be awarded in a state fiscal year to $5,000,000.

Makes new farm equipment and new agricultural improvements eligible for local tax abatement using the same procedures for tax abatement under current law for new manufacturing equipment, new research and development equipment, new logistical distribution equipment, and new information technology equipment, or redevelopment and rehabilitation in the case of new agricultural improvements. Limits an abatement schedule for new farm equipment and new agricultural improvements to not more than five years. Specifies how agricultural improvements shall be assessed for tax purposes.

Provides that, subject to the approval of a county adopting body, a fire protection district or a qualified fire protection territory may apply for distributions of tax revenue. Provides that a township that provides fire protection or emergency medical services (other than a township in Marion County) may apply to a county adopting body for a distribution of tax revenue for public safety purposes. Requires the adopting body to conduct a public hearing to review and approve the application. Specifies the method for determining the amount of the distribution to the qualified township.

Provides a tax credit for a taxpayer that makes a monetary contribution to a qualifying foster care organization. Defines a "qualifying foster care organization" as an organization that (1) is exempt from federal income tax under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code; (2) provides foster care prevention services and programs or direct assistance to individuals in the foster care system; (3) spends at least 50% of its available revenue on qualified services to Indiana residents; (4) affirms it will continue spending at least 50% of its available revenue on qualified services to Indiana residents; and (5) provides ongoing qualified services to at least 200 Indiana residents. Provides that the department of state revenue (department) shall grant a tax credit against any state tax liability due equal to 50% of the amount of the monetary contribution by a person to a qualifying foster care organization. Provides that the tax credit that a taxpayer receives may not exceed $10,000 for any taxable year. Provides that the amount of tax credits allowed may not exceed $2,000,000 in the state fiscal year. Provides that to claim a tax credit an application must be filed with the department. Provides that the department shall promptly notify an applicant whether, or the extent to which, the tax credit is allowable in the state fiscal year in which the application is filed. Provides that when the total credits approved equal the maximum amount allowable in any state fiscal year, no application thereafter filed for that fiscal year shall be approved. Provides that the tax credit chapter expires in 2025.