Sen. Vaneta Becker

Provides that the dyslexia screening and intervention provisions apply to: (1) qualified districts or qualified high schools; and (2) innovation network schools. Provides that the following may not waive or suspend the dyslexia screening and intervention provisions: (1) A coalition of continuous improvement school districts. (2) State accredited public schools. Adds, for consistency, the dyslexia screening and intervention provisions to the list of statutes that apply to charter schools. (Under current law, the dyslexia screening and intervention requirements already apply to charter schools because of the language in the dyslexia screening and intervention provisions.)

Defines a "charitable government services organization". Provides that a charitable government services organization and other specified individuals may accept payment by credit card for the purchase of a chance to enter a raffle or water race offered at an allowable activity if the transaction satisfies particular requirements.

Provides that, beginning January 1, 2023, certain practitioners are subject to disciplinary sanctions if the practitioner communicates or disseminates to the general public an advertisement that includes deceptive or misleading information or does not prominently state the profession or license held by the practitioner. Establishes certain exceptions. Provides, for purposes of the law prohibiting the unlawful practice of medicine or osteopathic medicine, that "the practice of medicine or osteopathic medicine" includes attaching to an individual's name additional terms or other specified words that identify a member of a medical specialty. Establishes certain exceptions. Specifies that the exclusions to the practice of medicine and osteopathic medicine do not allow a person to use words or abbreviations that indicate or induce an individual to believe that the person is engaged in the practice of medicine or osteopathic medicine.

Requires a governing body of a school corporation or charter school to permit oral public comment on a topic before the governing body takes final action on the topic. Allows the governing body of a state or local public agency to conduct a meeting electronically without any governing body members physically present if a state or local disaster emergency is declared and the following circumstances exist: (1) Meeting in person would present an imminent risk to the health or safety of the governing body and public. (2) In the case of a governing body of a school corporation or charter school, in addition to the presence of the circumstances described in (1), at least one school within the jurisdiction of the school corporation or charter school is closed because of the disaster emergency. Adds a definition of "charter school" for purposes of the open door law that includes a virtual charter school.

Creates (beginning January 1, 2024) a stand-alone credit for contributions to Indiana ABLE accounts. Provides that a taxpayer is entitled to a credit against adjusted gross income tax equal to the least of: (1) 20% of the amount of the total contributions made by the taxpayer to an account or accounts of an Indiana ABLE 529A savings plan during the taxable year; (2) $500; or (3) the amount of the taxpayer's adjusted gross income tax for the taxable year, reduced by the sum of all allowable credits. Provides that a taxpayer is not entitled to a carryback, carryover, or refund of an unused credit. Provides that a taxpayer may not sell, assign, convey, or otherwise transfer the tax credit. Provides that an account owner of an Indiana ABLE 529A savings plan must repay all or a part of the credit in a taxable year in which any nonqualified withdrawal is made.

Allows the sheriff to conduct a public auction electronically. Prohibits certain persons and entities from purchasing a tract at a sheriff's sale. Requires each person bidding at a sheriff's sale to sign a statement containing a notice of the law and certain affirmations. Raises the amount that a sheriff can charge for administrative fees from $200 to $300. Makes a conforming amendment. Makes a technical correction.

Requires a governing body of a school corporation (school board) to allow each member of the public attending a meeting (attendee) the opportunity to provide oral public comment. Allows a school board to permit oral public comment at a public meeting that is conducted electronically during a state or local disaster emergency. Restricts the circumstances in which the governing body of a state or local public agency may hold a virtual meeting during a declared disaster emergency without any of the governing body members physically present.

Repeals the statute specifying Medicaid eligibility for qualified pregnant women. Increases the Medicaid income eligibility requirements for pregnant women. Removes the Medicaid limitation for pregnant women of medical assistance coverage only for pregnancy related services. Provides that the extension of postpartum Medicaid coverage for pregnant women shall be determined by the office of the secretary of family and social services and must be at least 60 days but not more than 12 months beginning on the last day of the pregnancy.

Consolidates Medicaid telehealth language. Provides that "health care services" does not include certain case management services, care management services, service coordination services, or care coordination services for purposes of telehealth. Adds occupational therapist assistants, school psychologists, specified developmental therapists, peers, clinical fellows, students and graduates of certain professional programs, physical therapist assistants, and certain community mental health center providers to the definition of "practitioner" for purposes of practicing telehealth. Allows behavior health analysts to temporarily perform telehealth during the time when the professional licensing agency is preparing to implement licensure for the profession.

Establishes the housing task force (task force) to review issues related to housing and housing shortages in Indiana. Sets forth membership, and requires the task force to issue a report to the general assembly and the governor not later than November 1, 2022.