Indiana

Study of community or urban microfarming. Requires the department of agriculture (department) to conduct a study to evaluate the feasibility of establishing community or urban microfarm zones statewide. Requires the department to submit a report to the general assembly containing certain findings and recommendations not later than December 1, 2027.

Child services matters. Requires a sports wagering certificate holder and vendor to withhold funds from a person who requests a certain type of withdrawal from the person's mobile sports wagering account if the person is delinquent in the person's child support payments. Requires an order establishing paternity to be obtained without further proceedings if certain conditions are met. Allows the state to approve additional payment facilities for purposes of accepting child support payments. Provides that if a child who is the subject of an adoption petition is also the subject of an open or pending child in need of services (CHINS) or delinquency proceeding, the adoption petition must identify: (1) the court in which the CHINS or delinquency proceeding is open or pending and the cause number; and (2) the case number of the CHINS or delinquency proceeding; if known to the petitioner. Requires a volunteer of an applicant for licensure as a child caring institution to undergo a criminal background check if the volunteer is likely to have unsupervised contact with children in the child caring institution or will have access to a child's medical records. Provides that the department may deny an application for licensure as a child caring institution, group home, or child placing agency if the applicant was previously licensed as a residential child care provider and the license was revoked within one year of the application. Provides that a department caseworker who wishes to interview a child at the child's school must provide the caseworker's department issued credential in order to interview the child alone.

Various animal related matters. Removes partial liability for damages when a person removes a domestic animal from a motor vehicle. Increases certain penalties for offenses involving animals, and establishes a defense for an uninvolved person attacked by a law enforcement animal. Sets forth new definitions and amends various definitions for offenses relating to animals. Specifies that animal cruelty statutes apply to a rodent that is not a nuisance rodent. Makes certain acts an aggravating circumstance for purposes of sentencing.

Indiana crime guns task force. Beginning July 1, 2027, adds LaPorte County and Porter County to the task force area of the Indiana crime guns task force (task force), and specifies the number required for a quorum and to take official action in the event of a tie vote.

Straight ticket voting. Repeals provisions that prohibit counting straight party votes for candidates for election to an at-large district to which more than one person may be elected. Removes a provision requiring particular ballot placement when more than one candidate may be elected to an office. Provides that if a voter votes a straight party ticket and also selects one or more individual candidates for an office to which more than one person may be elected, the: (1) individual votes shall be counted unless the total number of individual votes is greater than the number of persons to be elected to the office; (2) straight party votes for the office shall not be counted; and (3) straight party votes for other offices on the ballot shall be counted. Makes conforming amendments. Specifies how a vote is counted with a straight ticket on a paper ballot.

Nursing matters; education programs. Requires the Indiana State Nurses Association, any time there is a vacancy or expiration of a term on the board of nursing, to recommend to the governor a list of qualified nurses for appointment. (Current law requires the Indiana State Nurses Association to recommend the list when there is a vacancy on the board.) Allows an institution that has been operating an eligible nursing program for at least five years to increase the enrollment in any eligible nursing program at any rate the institution considers appropriate.

Payment of health claims. Requires a hospital to: (1) disclose information concerning payment assistance programs; (2) post signs concerning the programs in specified locations of the hospital; and (3) make information concerning the programs available to individuals through the hospital's patient portal. Requires a hospital to make a reasonable effort to notify individuals of available payment assistance programs before beginning a collection action against the individual. Prohibits the use of downcoding in a specified manner. Prohibits a provider from using an automated process, system, or tool to submit a health benefits claim without the review of a provider or other person involved in the development of the claim for submission. Prohibits an insurer that issues a policy of accident and sickness insurance (insurer) and a health maintenance organization from retroactively reducing the reimbursement rate for any CPT code. Sets forth limitations on the time frame in which an insurer and a health maintenance organization: (1) may request repayment of an overpayment, adjust a subsequent claim, recoup a paid claim, or retroactively audit a paid claim; and (2) is required to correct a payment error to a provider. Provides that if an insurer or a health maintenance organization recoups payment from a provider due to an error in coordination of benefits, the provider may submit a claim for the same services to the appropriate insurer or health maintenance organization.

Real property appraisals. Allows the city of Gary to hire an appraiser to conduct appraisals of residential and commercial properties to assist the city with disposing of the city's real property. Prohibits an employee or appointed or elected official of the city from purchasing property that is appraised by the appraiser.

Partnership composite returns. Removes penalty provisions that apply if a pass through entity fails to include in a composite return nonresident partners, nonresident shareholders, or nonresident beneficiaries that do not have distributive share income of greater than $0. Makes conforming changes.

Coverage for certain cancer prescriptions. Prohibits a state employee health plan, a policy of accident and sickness insurance, and a health maintenance organization that provides coverage for advanced, metastatic cancer and associated conditions from requiring that, before providing coverage for a prescription drug, the insured fail to successfully respond to a different prescription drug or prove a history of failure of a different prescription drug.

Homeowners association matters. Allows, if certain conditions are met, a homeowners association to increase a budget, without a quorum, in an amount not to exceed 110% of the amount of the last approved budget, within five years after the first sale of a lot or unit from a developer to a person not associated with the developer. Prohibits a homeowners association from charging a fee associated with any service provided by the homeowners association. Allows, if certain conditions are met, a homeowners association to increase an annual budget without a quorum in an amount that does not exceed the lesser of: (1) 105% of the last approved budget; or (2) the average increase of the Consumer Price Index for housing in the Midwest for the prior 12 months. Prohibits a homeowners association from adopting or enforcing a regulation, rule, or other policy that prohibits a person from maintaining an amateur radio antenna. Specifies that a homeowners association may not prohibit or restrict a person from operating a Class I child care home or providing certain child care if the person resides within and owns, rents, or leases the single family residence where child care services are provided.

Requirements for proxy advisors. Provides that if a proxy advisor makes a recommendation against entity management on an entity proposal or proxy proposal, or makes a default recommendation or policy concerning votes against entity management on entity proposals or proxy proposals, and the proxy advisor does not do so based on a written financial analysis, the proxy advisor shall do the following: (1) At the time the proxy advisor provides the proxy advisory services, provide a clear and conspicuous disclosure to each interest holder or any person acting on behalf of an interest holder, receiving the proxy advisory services, that: (A) identifies the services being provided by the proxy advisor; (B) identifies the recommendation at issue; and (C) states that the proxy advisor has made the recommendation without utilizing a written financial analysis regarding the impact that the recommended action would have on entity interest holders. (2) If the proxy advisor provides certain proxy advisory services, then at the time the proxy advisor provides the proxy advisory services, the proxy advisor must provide to entity management the disclosure provided to each interest holder or any person acting on behalf of an interest holder receiving the proxy advisory services. (3) For the entire time that a proxy advisor is providing proxy advisory services to an interest holder of an entity or any person acting on behalf of an interest holder of an entity, prominently display on the home page of the proxy advisor's website a statement that the proxy advisor has made a recommendation: (A) against entity management on an entity proposal or proxy proposal; and (B) without utilizing a written financial analysis regarding the impact that the recommended action would have on entity interest holders. Provides that if a proxy advisor makes a recommendation against entity management on an entity proposal or proxy proposal, or makes a default recommendation or policy concerning votes against entity management on entity proposals or proxy proposals, and the proxy advisor does so based on a written financial analysis, the proxy advisor shall do the following: (1) At the time the proxy advisor provides the proxy advisory services, provide a clear and conspicuous disclosure to each interest holder or any person acting on behalf of an interest holder, receiving proxy advisory services, that: (A) identifies the services being provided by the proxy advisor; (B) identifies the recommendation at issue; (C) states that the proxy advisor utilized a written financial analysis regarding the impact that the recommended action would have on entity interest holders in making the recommendation; and (D) states that the written financial analysis is available upon request. (2) Make the written financial analysis available to an interest holder or any person acting on behalf of an interest holder, receiving the proxy advisory services within a reasonable time after an interest holder or any person acting on behalf of an interest holder, receiving the proxy advisory services requests the written financial analysis. (3) If the proxy advisor provides certain proxy advisory services, then at the time the proxy advisor provides the proxy advisory services, the proxy advisor must provide a copy of the written financial analysis to entity management. Amends the definition of "consumer transaction" for purposes of the deceptive consumer sales act to include the provision of a product or service to a state agency or a local agency in Indiana. Amends the definition of "supplier" for purposes of the deceptive consumer sales act to include an entity that provides a product or service to a state agency or a local agency in Indiana. Provides that an action that arises from a consumer transaction involving the provision of a product or service by a supplier to a state agency may be brought and enforced only by the attorney general. Provides that an action that arises from a consumer transaction involving the provision of a product or service by a supplier to a local agency may be brought and enforced only by an attorney acting on behalf of the local agency, unless the local unit of government served by the local agency requests the attorney general to bring and enforce an action on behalf of the local unit. Provides that in an action that arises from a consumer transaction involving the provision of a product or service by a supplier to a state agency or a local agency, a court may take certain actions.

Public safety procedures. Requires the department of correction to electronically notify, at least seven days in advance, the: (1) county sheriff; (2) prosecuting attorney; and (3) chief of police; of the county or municipality into which the department will release a serious violent felon, including a juvenile adjudicated for an act that would be a serious violent felony, and of the county or municipality where the serious violent felon or juvenile committed the offense. Requires the department of correction to notify a registered victim through the department's automated victim notification system. Requires: (1) a court; and (2) the prosecuting attorney or the prosecuting attorney's victim assistance program; to notify a victim of the automated victim assistance notification program, and provides that a victim has the right to be informed, upon request, about the progress of the criminal case involving the victim. Requires that, before hiring a person as a law enforcement officer, a law enforcement hiring department or agency shall request from prior law enforcement employers all documents relating to disciplinary action or internal investigations that involve the person. (Under current law, a hiring agency must request all findings and orders).

Various dental matters; respiratory care. Amends the educational requirements for dental hygienists. Amends the requirements for administration of nitrous oxide by a dental hygienist. Allows the state board of dentistry to establish additional requirements for an applicant who has failed the licensure examination at least three times. Amends the licensure and temporary permit requirements for respiratory care practitioners.

Advanced DNA testing for cold cases. Establishes a process concerning eligibility for advanced DNA testing for cold cases.

Insurance mandated gun free zone notices. Provides that an insurer may not require an insured or prospective insured to post or display a gun free zone notice.

Midwest continental divide commission. Makes the following changes to the law regarding the Midwest continental divide commission (commission): (1) Amends the definition of a "land use and zoning plan" (plan) to provide that it is a plan and not an overlay district. (2) Requires the commission to consider any change or variance in zoning to be consistent with the plan that is: (A) inconsistent with the plan; and (B) not more than 1/2 mile from a trail project approved by the commission and the eligible county or city.

Work based learning liability. Requires an intermediary and an employer to enter into an agreement that sets forth the duties and responsibilities of the intermediary and the employer when participating in a work based learning program. Repeals provisions relating to the federal School to Work Opportunities Act under the worker's compensation and worker's occupational diseases compensation laws. Provides that, subject to certain limitations, a student who performs services for an employer as part of a work based learning program is entitled to benefits under the worker's compensation and worker's occupational diseases compensation laws. Provides that any underwriting decision made by an insurer or rating factor applied to a participant must be based on objective risk based criteria that are applied uniformly and without regard to the age of the student to be covered under the policy.

Traffic enforcement. Establishes a traffic enforcement on private roads pilot project. Provides that a subdivision: (1) that is subject to governance authority by a homeowners association; (2) that contains at least 1,500 lots; and (3) with at least 15 miles of private road that are owned and maintained by the homeowners association; may establish maximum speed limits and designate intersections at which a vehicle is required to stop. Provides that a law enforcement officer has all police powers necessary to enforce the laws of the state for the regulation and use of vehicles on the private roads within the subdivision governed by the homeowners association. Provides that, with the exception of maximum speed limits and stop signs established by the homeowners association, a law enforcement officer may not enforce other rules or requirements established by the homeowners association. Provides that, with certain requirements, a homeowners association may enter into an agreement with or employ an off duty law enforcement officer. Provides that the pilot program expires July 1, 2028.

Resisting law enforcement conflict resolution. Resolves a conflict between HEA 1014-2025 and HEA 1637-2025.

Child care assistance. Increases the maximum number of individuals an entity may employ to be eligible for the employer child care expenditure income tax credit. Provides that costs incurred: (1) for the operating costs of a child care facility operated for a taxpayer's employees; or (2) under a contract with a child care facility to provide child care services to employees of the taxpayer, or under a contract with an intermediate entity that contracts with one or more child care facilities for child care services; are qualified expenditures for purposes of the employer child care expenditure income tax credit. Allows a redevelopment commission to use revenue collected in a tax increment financing district to expend money or provide financial assistance to entities for the purpose of encouraging or incentivizing the construction or expansion of child care facilities.

Powers and duties of the election commission. Separates out the procedures for how a county election board and the Indiana election commission (commission) may administratively disband certain committees into two different sections of the Indiana Code. Allows the commission to administratively disband a committee if: (1) the committee has not filed a report of expenditures during the previous calendar year; (2) the committee has never filed a report of expenditures or the last report filed reported cash on hand that did not exceed $1,000; and (3) the election division has attempted to contact the committee but the communication was returned or otherwise undeliverable. Removes the discretion of the commission with respect to certain civil penalties that may be imposed and instead requires the commission to impose the civil penalties. Requires the commission to assess a civil penalty of $1,000 or $500, plus investigative costs, for certain violations. Provides that a $500 civil penalty shall be assessed for a violation of certain electronic filing requirements.

Regulation and investment of cryptocurrency. Provides that the following shall offer, as a regular investment program, a self directed brokerage account that offers at least one cryptocurrency investment option: (1) The legislators' defined contribution plan. (2) The Hoosier START plan. (3) Specified public employees' retirement fund plans and accounts. (4) Specified teachers' retirement fund plans and accounts (including the teachers' pre-1996 account). Prohibits a public agency, other than the department of financial institutions, or a county, municipality, or township from adopting or enforcing a rule, ordinance, or other regulation that does any of the following: (1) Prohibits, restricts, or impairs an individual's ability to: (A) accept digital assets as a method of payment for legal goods and services; or (B) take custody of digital assets using specified technologies. (2) Imposes taxes or fees on: (A) use or acceptance of digital assets as a method of payment for legal goods and services; or (B) taking or maintaining custody of digital assets using a self-hosted wallet or hardware wallet; that are not applicable to comparable financial transactions that do not involve digital assets. (3) Prohibits, restricts, or impairs the ability of an individual or business to engage in specified activities pertaining to blockchains. Prohibits a public agency, other than the department of financial institutions, from adopting or enforcing a rule, ordinance, or other regulation that prohibits operation of a digital mining business. Prohibits a county, municipality, or township from adopting or enforcing a rule, ordinance, or other regulation that does any of the following: (1) Prohibits a digital asset mining business from operating in an area zoned for industrial use, or subjects a digital asset mining business located in an area zoned for industrial use to noise restrictions that are not applicable to other businesses operating in an area zoned for industrial use. (2) Prohibits private digital asset mining in a private residence located in an area that is zoned for residential use, or subjects private digital asset mining in a residence located in an area zoned for residential use to noise restrictions that do not apply to other residences in an area zoned for residential use. Provides that development or use of software for noncustodial transfer of digital assets does not constitute money transmission for purposes of statutes regarding licensure of money transmitters. Provides that a court may compel a person to disclose a digital asset private key only if no other admissible information is sufficient to provide access to the digital asset.

Child services provider background checks. Requires an employee of: (1) a preventative provider that operates a child welfare program; (2) a provider of home based family preservation services; (3) a child caring institution; (4) a group home; or (5) a child placing agency; to undergo a background check once every four years. Provides that the employee is not required to complete a separate federally required background check to provide additional child welfare services for the same employer.

Education reports. Requires the department of education to: (1) prepare a report compiling certain statewide data on school corporations and charter schools; and (2) submit the report to the legislative council and the interim study committee on education. Requires the department of local government finance, in consultation with the department of education, to conduct a study of the disparities in per student operational funding amounts in school corporations, and submit the report to the legislative council and the state budget committee.