The following is a summary of the bills from the current legislative session that may be of interest to our membership. For the full text of each bill please go to:
https://iga.in.gov/legislative/2025/bills
SB 11: Minor Access and Use of Social Media
Requires a social media operator to restrict a minor user’s access to social media without first obtaining verifiable parental consent for the minor user. Defines a “minor user” as an individual who is less than 16 years of age. Establishes a civil cause of action to allow a parent or legal guardian of a minor user who accesses social media without verifiable parental consent to bring a suit against the social media operator. Allows any person to bring an action for injunctive relief against a social media operator if the social media operator fails to implement a verifiable parental consent method. Allows the attorney general to: (1) bring an action against a social media operator that fails to implement a verifiable parental consent method; and (2) issue a civil investigative demand if the attorney general has reasonable cause to believe that any person is engaged in a violation. Creates a civil cause of action if a minor user is subject to social media bullying.
Defines “squatter” as an individual who occupies the property of another and who does not and has never had: (1) a rental agreement; (2) permission of the owner; or (3) another legal interest in the property. Permits a property owner to execute an affidavit stating that a squatter is occupying the person’s property, and requires a law enforcement agency to dispatch one or more law enforcement officers to remove the squatter within 48 hours (or a later period if necessary for reasons of public safety). Requires a dispatched law enforcement officer to remove the squatter from the property unless the law enforcement officer discovers credible written evidence that the person is not a squatter.
Provides that a person who knowingly, intentionally, or recklessly operates a vehicle in a repeated or continuous manner with the intent of causing a rotational skid commits reckless driving, a Class B misdemeanor, and increases the penalty if certain circumstances apply. Specifies that a person may request specialized driving privileges even after the initial hearing. Provides that a vehicle used to commit reckless driving involving a rotational skid or obstruction of traffic involving a rotational skid is subject to seizure for purposes of civil forfeiture if the person has a prior unrelated conviction for the offense. Increases the penalty for resisting law enforcement to a Level 5 felony if a person operates a vehicle in a manner that creates a substantial risk of bodily injury to another person. Makes conforming amendments.
SB 16: Expulsion and Suspension
Provides that a student may be suspended or expelled only upon: (1) a determination that the student’s suspension or expulsion will prevent or substantially reduce the risk of interference with an educational function or school purposes, disruption of the school learning environment, or physical injury to the student, other students, school employees, or school visitors; and (2) in the case of an expulsion, a determination that all other available and appropriate disciplinary and behavioral interventions have been exhausted. Provides that notice to a parent of: (1) a student’s suspension or expulsion must include the rationale for the length of the suspension or expulsion; and (2) the right to appear at an expulsion meeting must include the behavioral and disciplinary interventions attempted, if any, and the rationale for the length of the expulsion. Provides that if a student is suspended, the student must be provided: (1) appropriate and available support services, as determined by the school, during the suspension period; and (2) an opportunity to receive credit for completion of make up work.
SB 17: Election of Lake County Superior Court Judges
Provides that the superior court judges of Lake County are elected as are other superior court judges. Provides that the change to the election of a judge does not occur until the general election that occurs immediately before the expiration of the term of a judge sitting on the court under current law. Repeals superseded provisions.
SB 19: Driver Instructions of Law Enforcement Procedures
Requires the driver education advisory board to consult with the commissioner of the bureau of motor vehicles (commissioner) and the state police department, and advise the commissioner in the administration of the policies of the commission and the bureau of motor vehicles (bureau) regarding driver education in: (1) the procedures of a law enforcement officer during a traffic stop; and (2) the actions a person should take during a traffic stop, including appropriate interaction with a law enforcement officer. Requires the bureau to include in any driver education manual published by the bureau the following: (1) A description of the procedures of a law enforcement officer during a traffic stop. (2) An explanation of the actions a person should take during a traffic stop, including appropriate interaction with a law enforcement officer. Provides that driver education curriculum must include instruction about actions to take during a traffic stop and the appropriate interaction with a law enforcement officer during a traffic stop.
SB 22: Eyewitness Identification Procedures
Establishes a procedure to be used by a law enforcement agency in conducting a lineup. Makes conforming amendments.
SB 26: Radio Frequency Jamming Devices
Provides that a radio frequency jamming device may be seized. Provides that a person who knowingly or intentionally owns, operates, uses, manufactures, possesses, buys, sells, or provides to another person a radio frequency jamming device commits unlawful radio frequency jamming, a Level 6 felony. Provides sentence enhancements.
SB 27: Firearms Buyback Programs
Extends, to political subdivisions, the application of current restrictions on firearm buyback programs. Prohibits a firearm buyback program that does not meet certain requirements related to staffing, serial number searches, firearm disposal, and disclosure of identifying information.
SB 38: Syringe Exchange Programs
Amends the definition of “qualified entity” to include the United States Department of Veterans Affairs for purposes of provisions governing syringe exchange programs.
SB 67: Secured School Safety Grants
Allows school corporations, charter schools, and accredited nonpublic schools to apply for a matching grant from the secured school fund to be used to provide funding for school employees to receive youth violence early intervention training or programming.
SB 70: Protection of Property Rights
Defines “squatter” as an individual who occupies the residential real property of another and who does not have and has never had: (1) a rental agreement; (2) permission of the owner; or (3) another legal interest in the residential real property; authorizing the individual to occupy the residential real property. Provides that under certain circumstances, a property owner may obtain an expedited removal of a squatter from the property owner’s residential real property.
SB 72: Therapist Immunity from Professional Discipline
Provides that the behavioral health and human services licensing board may not impose disciplinary sanctions against a practitioner if the basis of the licensing complaint is retaliatory against the practitioner for testifying in a child custody proceeding, a child in need of services proceeding, or a termination of parent-child relationship proceeding.
SB 74: Extension of Lifeline Law Immunity
Provides that an individual who is: (1) reasonably believed to be suffering from a health condition which is the direct result of alcohol consumption; and (2) assisted by a person who requested emergency medical assistance for the individual; is immune from prosecution for certain crimes.
Provides that a person at least 18 years of age commits sexual grooming, a Class A misdemeanor, if the person, with the intent to prepare or condition the child for future sexual activity, communicates with a child less than 14 years of age concerning sexual activity. Increases the penalty to a Level 6 felony if the grooming is committed by using a computer network, and to a Level 5 felony if the person has a prior conviction for a sex offense. Renames the offense of inappropriate communication with a child “sexual grooming”, and increases the penalty to: (1) a Class A misdemeanor for the base offense; (2) a Level 6 felony if the offense is committed by using a computer network; and (3) a Level 5 felony if the person has a prior conviction for a sex offense.
Prohibits plea agreements concerning: (1) promotion of child sexual trafficking; (2) promotion of sexual trafficking of a younger child; (3) child sexual trafficking; or (4) child solicitation; if a term of the plea agreement requires the prosecuting attorney to dismiss a charge in exchange for the defendant’s agreement to plead guilty to a less serious offense. Adds facilities that provide entertainment exclusively directed toward children to the list of facilities at which a sexually violent predator or an offender against children may not work or volunteer, and increases the penalty for the offense of unlawful employment by a sexual predator to a Level 4 felony, with an enhancement to a Level 3 felony if the person has a prior conviction based on the violation of a condition of sex offender registration. Provides that a sexually violent predator or an offender against children who knowingly or intentionally is present at a facility that provides entertainment exclusively directed toward children commits attendance at a juvenile entertainment facility by a sex offender, a Level 4 felony, with an enhancement to a Level 3 felony if the person has a prior conviction based on the violation of a condition of sex offender registration.
SB 95: Law Enforcement Training Cost Reimbursement
Allows the state, a state agency, or a political subdivision (public employer) to be reimbursed for the costs of employing and training a law enforcement officer by a public employer that subsequently employs the officer. Provides that the reimbursement amount decreases over time and is eliminated three years after the officer is certified by the law enforcement training board to act as an officer. Allows a public employer to require, as a condition of hiring, that the individual enter into a contract or agreement to reimburse the public employer for employment and training costs, if the individual is subsequently hired by a private or governmental employer that is not defined by statute as a public employer.
SB 98: Possession of Fentanyl Test Strips
Provides that the possession of a fentanyl test strip is not a crime.
SB 106: Rights of Public Safety Officers
Permits a public safety officer to bring a claim against a police department or fire department for a violation of the rights of public safety officers.
Removes provisions related to testing the strength, effectiveness, or purity of a controlled substance in the criminal laws concerning possession of controlled substance paraphernalia.
Allows certain convicted persons who have a chronic medical condition or are terminally ill or gravely disabled to file a petition for sentence modification, without the consent of the prosecuting attorney. Defines “chronic medical condition” and “terminally ill or gravely disabled” for purposes of filing a petition for sentence modification. Specifies that a court may not, without the consent of the prosecuting attorney, reduce or suspend a convicted person’s sentence: (1) that was not authorized by a plea agreement; or (2) that is below the sentence that the court was authorized to impose at the time of sentencing. Provides certain criteria that the court must consider when ruling on a petition for sentence modification. Allows the court to grant or deny a petitioner’s request for sentence modification, summarily dismiss the petition, or hold a hearing.
SB 120: DNA Samples at Time of Arrest
Requires a sheriff to take a DNA sample of a person taken into custody for a felony. Provides that it is a Class C misdemeanor if a person refuses to provide a DNA sample to a sheriff.
SB 138: Sale of Low THC Products to Persons Less Than 21
Provides that: (1) it is a Class B misdemeanor for a person to recklessly, knowingly, or intentionally sell, barter, exchange, provide, or furnish a product containing low THC hemp extract to a minor; (2) the offense is Class A misdemeanor if the person has a prior unrelated conviction under the statute; and (3) the offense is a Level 6 felony if the consumption, ingestion, or use of the product containing low THC hemp extract is the proximate cause of the serious bodily injury or death of any person.
SB 139: Expungement and Firearms
Specifies, for purposes of the expungement statute, that a person whose conviction for a serious violent felony involving the possession or use of a firearm is expunged is entitled to restoration of the person’s right to possess a firearm only if the court finds, following a hearing, that restoration of the person’s right to possess a firearm is unlikely to present a danger to the public.
SB 149: Electronic Monitoring Program Immunity
Adds judicial officers to the list of persons immune from civil liability for certain acts or omissions that occur in connection with the statute establishing electronic monitoring standards. (Current law provides that immunity does not apply to gross negligence or willful or wanton misconduct.)
SB 151: Statute of Limitations
Allows the prosecution of Level 3 felony rape and child molesting offenses to be commenced at any time.
SB 152: Possession of Firearms
Prohibits a person from carrying a firearm in or near: (1) a chute; (2) polls; (3) certain areas where voters congregate or are likely to congregate; or (4) any room where ballots are being counted. Provides that the offense is a Class C misdemeanor. Enhances the offense to a: (1) Class A misdemeanor if the person has a prior unrelated conviction for the offense; or (2) Level 6 felony if the firearm is pointed at another person. Specifies: (1) a defense; and (2) certain notice requirements. Prohibits other defenses. Defines particular terms. Makes conforming amendments. Changes the minimum age required to carry a handgun to 21 years of age.
SB 153: Privately Made Firearms
Defines a “privately made firearm” and other related terms. Makes it a Level 5 felony to possess a privately made firearm. Makes it a Level 5 felony to alter, obliterate, or remove certain marks of firearm identification or to possess a firearm on which those marks of identification have been altered, obliterated, or removed.
SB 155: Funeral Assistance for Minor Victims of Crime
Increases the amount of an allowable claim from the violent crime victims compensation fund for funeral, burial, or cremation to $10,000 if the victim is a minor (currently limited to $5,000).
Provides that a person who knowingly, intentionally, or recklessly operates a vehicle in a repeated or continuous manner with the intent of causing a rotational skid commits reckless driving, a Class B misdemeanor, and increases the penalty if certain circumstances apply. Specifies that a person may request specialized driving privileges even after the initial hearing. Specifies that a vehicle used to commit reckless driving involving a rotational skid or obstruction of traffic involving a rotational skid is subject to seizure for purposes of civil forfeiture. Increases the penalty for resisting law enforcement to a Level 5 felony if a person operates a vehicle in a manner that creates a substantial risk of bodily injury to another person. Makes conforming amendments.
SB 159: Procedures for Obtaining a Warrant
Specifies that a judge or a prosecuting attorney shall record a request for a warrant made orally by telephone, radio, or similar electronic means. (Under current law, the judge is required to record the request.) Permits certain warrant requests to be: (1) made electronically (where current law only allows this by radio or telephone); and (2) recorded electronically (where current law only permits the use of audio tape).
Provides that a person may not advertise a product containing marijuana or a marijuana business by any medium within the borders of Indiana. Provides that the attorney general may seek civil penalties, an injunction, and other costs for violations. Provides that civil penalties shall be deposited in the state general fund.
SB 172: Failure to Assist in Immigration Enforcement
Makes it a Class B misdemeanor for: (1) a law enforcement officer to refuse to cooperate with state or federal agencies or officials in the enforcement of immigration laws; and (2) an individual to adopt a policy barring a law enforcement officer from cooperating with state or federal agencies or officials in the enforcement of immigration laws. Establishes certain defenses for the law enforcement officer.
SB174: Child Sex Abuse Material
Replaces the term “child pornography” with the term “child sex abuse material” throughout the Indiana Code.
SB 177: Child Seduction Committed by a Religious Leader
Includes a religious leader who volunteers in certain educational settings within the definition of “child care worker” for purposes of the crime of child seduction. Provides that a religious leader of a religious organization attended by a child less than 18 years of age who engages in certain sexual actions with the child commits child seduction.
Requires a person filing a petition for expungement to include the chronological case summary, if available. Permits disclosure to the state police department of certain sealed records if disclosure is required for the purpose of expunging or marking as expunged records in the central repository for criminal history information.
SB 196: Statue of Limitations
Allows the prosecution of Level 3 felony rape and child molesting offenses to be commenced at any time
Specifies that, for purposes of the crime of false informing, hindering a “law enforcement process” includes causing a law enforcement officer to be dispatched. Enhances the penalty for making a false report that a person is dangerous to a Level 6 felony if the offense causes a person to feel terrorized, frightened, intimidated, or threatened.
SB 217: Expungement of Addiction Related Convictions
Establishes a procedure to permit a person: (1) with an addiction disorder related conviction; and (2) who has completed a high intensity residential treatment program; to expunge the person’s addiction disorder related conviction.
Amends the information that must be provided by a supervising agency in quarterly reports to the local justice reinvestment advisory council. Requires the statewide justice reinvestment advisory council to compile the quarterly reports and electronically transmit an annual report to the legislative council and to the judicial conference of Indiana not later than May 1(instead of March 15) of each year.
Provides that a person who, not having a contractual interest in the property, knowingly or intentionally enters the real property of another person after having been denied entry by the other person, that person’s agent, or a law enforcement officer commits criminal trespass, a Class A misdemeanor. Provides that a person who, not having a contractual interest in the property, knowingly or intentionally refuses to leave the real property of another person after having been asked to leave by the other person, that person’s agent, or a law enforcement officer commits criminal trespass, a Class A misdemeanor. Makes conforming changes.
SB 223: Compensation for Victims of Violent Crimes
Increases the compensation payable to victims of violent crimes: (1) for funeral, burial, or cremation expenses from $5,000 to $7,500; and (2) as an award to a claimant from $15,000 to $20,000.
Allows for the prosecution of: (1) child molesting to be commenced before the date the alleged victim reaches 51 years of age; and (2) rape to be commenced within 15 years after the commission of the offense.
SB 236: Enforcement of Federal Child Sex Crimes
Provides that a person who violates certain federal offenses concerning child sexual abuse commits a Level 1 felony. Allows the attorney general to do the following with respect to certain crimes against children: (1) investigate complaints of the criminal activity; (2) assist victims of the crimes; (3) cooperate with certain law enforcement agencies in the investigation of the crime; and (4) assist prosecutors in the investigation and prosecution of the crime. Allows the attorney general to cooperate with the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children with an investigation of alleged offenses related to sexual exploitation of children. Allows the attorney general to notify a law enforcement agency and a prosecuting attorney if the attorney general has reasonable suspicion to believe that a person has committed certain offenses against a child. Allows a prosecuting attorney to deputize the attorney general or a deputy attorney general to prosecute certain offenses against children
Allows individuals with a terminal illness who meet certain requirements to make a request to an attending provider for medication that the individual may self-administer to bring about death. Specifies requirements a provider must meet in order to prescribe the medication to a patient. Prohibits an insurer from denying payment of benefits under a life insurance policy based upon a suicide clause in the life insurance policy if the death of the insured individual is the result of medical aid in dying. Establishes a Level 1 felony if a person: (1) without authorization of the patient, willfully alters, forges, conceals, or destroys a request for medication or a rescission of a request for medication with the intent or effect of causing the individual’s death; or (2) knowingly or intentionally coerces or exerts undue influence on an individual to request medication to bring about death or to destroy a rescission of a request for medication to bring about death. Establishes a Class A misdemeanor if a person, without authorization of the patient, willfully alters, forges, conceals, or destroys a request for medication or a rescission of a request for medication in order to affect a health care decision by the individual. Establishes certain criminal and civil immunity for health care providers.
HB 1014: Consecutive Terms of Imprisonment for Misdemeanors
Limits the total of the consecutive terms of imprisonment to which a defendant is sentenced for misdemeanor convictions arising out of an episode of criminal conduct.
HB 1021: Training in Human Trafficking Awareness
Requires a food or lodging establishment to do the following: (1) Require each employee of the food or lodging establishment to annually complete a training course offered by the United States Department of Homeland Security in recognizing and responding to human trafficking (training requirement). (2) Maintain for each employee a written record of the title and date of completion of each training course completed by the employee (training records). (3) Include in the food or lodging establishment’s biennial report to the secretary of state an attestation that the food or lodging establishment has complied with the training requirement in each of the two years covered by the report. (4) Post in a location in the food or lodging establishment that is readily accessible by all employees of the food or lodging establishment a conspicuous written notice: (A) asking employees to report suspected human trafficking; and (B) providing contact information for state and federal agencies to which suspected human trafficking can be reported. Provides that the office of the secretary of state may audit the training records of a food or lodging establishment to verify the food or lodging establishment’s attestation regarding the training requirement in the food or lodging establishment’s biennial report.
HB 1026: Marijuana Advertising
Provides that a person may not advertise: (1) a product containing marijuana; or (2) a marijuana business; on a sign within 1,000 feet of certain places. Provides that the attorney general may seek civil penalties, an injunction, and other costs for violations. Provides that civil penalties shall be deposited in the state general fund.
HB 1030: Repeal of Death Penalty
Repeals the law concerning the imposition and execution of death sentences and makes conforming amendments. Specifies that if a person was sentenced to death and is awaiting execution of the death sentence, the person’s death sentence is commuted to a sentence of life imprisonment without parole. Provides that when a defendant is charged with a murder for which the state seeks a sentence of life imprisonment without parole, the defendant may file a petition alleging that the defendant is an individual with an intellectual disability. Provides that if a defendant who is determined to be an individual with an intellectual disability is convicted of murder, the court may sentence the defendant only to a fixed term of imprisonment.
HB 1034: Indecent Displays by Incarcerated Individuals
Creates the crime of indecent exposure in a penal facility, a Class C misdemeanor.
HB 1047: Law Enforcement Officer Drug and Alcohol Testing
Provides that, on or before July 1, 2025, each law enforcement agency shall adopt and implement protocols to administer drug and alcohol testing to a law enforcement officer immediately after the law enforcement officer uses deadly force in the pursuit or apprehension of an individual.
HB 1056: Controlled Substances
Adds 2-Methyl AP-237 to the list of schedule I controlled substances.
HB 1063: Discriminatory Profiling and Pretextual Stops
Honors the memory of Byron Ratcliffe Sr. by doing the following: (1) Prohibits discriminatory profiling and pretextual stops (discriminatory profiling and stops) by law enforcement based on perceived age, gender, race, or ethnicity. (2) Requires law enforcement agencies to: (A) adopt policies regarding discriminatory profiling and stops; (B) submit discriminatory profiling and stops data to the attorney general for inclusion in an annual report to the legislative council; and (C) establish standards for the use of vehicle and body cameras. (3) Establishes law enforcement officer training regarding discriminatory profiling and stops. (4) Establishes the discriminatory profiling review commission to review complaints. (5) Provides for a civil action based on discriminatory profiling and stops.
HB1072: Domestic Violence Investigations
Requires law enforcement agencies to use a domestic violence risk assessment when responding to a domestic violence incident.
HB 1091: Sexual Battery Against a Law Enforcement Officer
Provides an enhancement for sexual battery that is committed against a law enforcement officer.
HB 1092: Funding for Public Safety Training
Appropriates $2,000,000 from the state general fund to the department of homeland security (department) to be used by the department for the purpose of providing mental health and wellness training for: (1) law enforcement officers; (2) emergency medical services providers; and (3) full-time firefighters.
HB 1093: Sexual Assault Victims’ Rights
Requires law enforcement agencies and prosecuting attorneys to annually submit certain information concerning sexual assault to the Indiana criminal justice institute (institute). Requires the institute to annually submit a report to the state sexual assault response team (team) summarizing the information. Provides certain procedural protections for victims of sexual assault, including the rights guaranteed to a victim as they relate to: (1) the collection and analysis of sexual assault forensic evidence from the victim; (2) a victim’s ability to obtain a copy of a law enforcement report concerning the sexual assault; and (3) legal procedures provided to protect a victim during a legal proceeding. Requires specified information to be included in the statewide sexual assault examination tracking system. Requires the team to study best practices and make recommendations concerning sexual assault response and victims’ rights. Requires the team, not later than May 31, 2027, to report its findings and recommendations to the general assembly, the governor, and the attorney general
HB 1096: Sex Crimes Committed by Law Enforcement Officers
Provides that the state may seek an enhancement to the sentence of a sex offense committed by a law enforcement officer. Provides that for purposes of the sentence enhancement, the definition of “law enforcement officer” includes a school resource officer or school corporation police officer.
HB 1097: Awareness of Human Trafficking
Requires gas stations to display human trafficking awareness posters.
HB 1099: Safe Haven Infants and Foster Youth
Provides that the maximum age for a safe haven infant is 60 days of age. Repeals the definition of “abandoned child”. Amends the definition of “foster youth”. Makes conforming changes.
HB 1107: Funding for Family Recovery Courts
Establishes the family recovery court fund and provides that money in the fund is continuously appropriated for the purpose of funding family recovery courts. Provides that family recovery courts: (1) target cases of abuse or neglect wherein a parent or primary caregiver suffers from a substance use disorder or co-occurring disorders; and (2) are certified as problem solving courts by the office of judicial administration.
HB 1114: Driving without a License
Adds the following criminal offenses for an individual who knowingly or intentionally operates a motor vehicle on a highway and has never received a valid driver’s license: (1) A Class A misdemeanor if the operation of the motor vehicle results in bodily injury. (2) A Level 6 felony if the operation of the motor vehicle results in serious bodily injury. (3) A Level 5 felony if the operation of the motor vehicle results in the death or catastrophic injury of another person.
HB 1119: Operating a Motor Vehicle While Intoxicated
Provides that a person who operates a vehicle with at least five nanograms of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) in the person’s saliva, as identified by a qualified test, commits the offense of operating a motor vehicle while intoxicated. (Current law provides that a person commits the offense if the person has any measurable amount of THC in the person’s blood.) Defines “qualified test”. Removes the metabolite of a controlled substance listed in schedule I or II as an element from the offense of operating a motor vehicle while intoxicated.
HB 1122: Unlawful Encroachment
Authorizes a law enforcement officer to order a person to stop approaching the law enforcement officer if the officer reasonably believes that the person’s presence within 25 feet of the officer will interfere with the performance of the officer’s duties. Provides that a person who knowingly or intentionally approaches within 25 feet of a law enforcement officer after being ordered to stop approaching commits unlawful encroachment on a law enforcement officer, a Class C misdemeanor.
HB 1124: Offender Against Children Residency Restrictions
Provides that an offender against children who: (1) is required to register as a sex offender for life; and (2) knowingly or intentionally resides within 1,000 feet of certain areas owned, maintained, and governed by a homeowners association or property owner’s association; commits a sex offender residency offense, a Level 6 felony.
HB 1137: Expungement of Red Flag Law Records
Requires a court to expunge certain records related to the red flag law if the court finds that an individual is not dangerous or is no longer dangerous.
HB 1145: Decriminalization of Marijuana
Decriminalizes possession of two ounces or less of marijuana.
Adds gender identity to the definition of “bias crime”.
HB 1155: Signal Jamming Devices
Provides that a signal jammer may be seized. Provides that a person who knowingly or intentionally manufactures, offers for sale, imports, markets, sells, possesses, uses, or operates a signal jammer commits unlawful use of a signal jammer, a Class A misdemeanor. Provides a sentence enhancement.
HB 1170: Elimination of Gun-Free Zones
Provides, with some exceptions, that beginning July 1, 2025, the state of Indiana may not regulate: (1) firearms, ammunition, and firearm accessories; and (2) the ownership, possession, carrying, transportation, registration, transfer, and storage of firearms, ammunition, and firearm accessories. Specifies that a certain provision of an ordinance, measure, enactment, rule, policy, or exercise of proprietary authority is void. Provides that a person not otherwise prohibited from carrying or possessing a firearm under federal or state law may carry or possess a firearm, without restriction, on certain property affiliated with the following state agencies beginning July 1, 2025: (1) The department of natural resources. (2) The state fair commission. (3) The department of administration. (4) The department of workforce development. Prohibits, with some exceptions, a state educational institution (institution) from regulating the possession or transportation of firearms, ammunition, or firearm accessories in particular places. Allows a person to bring an action against an institution if the person is adversely affected by certain rules concerning firearms.
Specifies that “reasonable force” includes the pointing of a loaded or unloaded firearm for purposes of arrest or to prevent an escape, or for self-defense.
Permits the use of medical marijuana by persons with serious medical conditions as determined by their physician. Establishes a medical marijuana program to permit the cultivation, processing, testing, transportation, and dispensing of medical marijuana by holders of a valid permit. Requires the Indiana department of health (state department) to implement and enforce the medical marijuana program. Requires that permit holders undertake steps to prevent diversion of medical marijuana to unauthorized persons. Requires that medical marijuana and medical marijuana products be properly labeled, placed in child resistant packaging, and tested by an independent testing laboratory before being made available for purchase. Prohibits packaging medical marijuana in a manner that is appealing to children. Authorizes research on medical marijuana in accordance with rules set forth by the state department. Prohibits discrimination against medical marijuana users. Prohibits harassment of medical marijuana users by law enforcement officers, and prohibits cooperation with federal law enforcement officials seeking to enforce federal laws that criminalize the use of marijuana authorized in Indiana. Establishes the medical marijuana oversight committee to review appeals and grievances concerning the medical marijuana program. Provides a defense to prosecution for a person who operates a vehicle or motorboat with marijuana or its metabolite in the person’s blood under certain conditions that involve medical marijuana. Makes conforming amendments.
HB 1186: Law Enforcement Matters
Provides that a correctional professional is considered a public safety officer for purposes of determining eligibility for line of duty death benefits. (Current law provides that a correctional officer is considered a public safety officer for determining eligibility line of death benefits.) Provides that a law enforcement officer who: (1) has successfully completed Tier II or Tier III basic requirements; or (2) has completed a pre-basic program and will timely complete Tier II or Tier III basic training requirements; may only exercise police powers when the law enforcement officer is carrying out the duties of the law enforcement agency that appointed the law enforcement officer within the geographic jurisdiction of the appointing law enforcement agency. Provides that a Tier II or Tier III program graduate may exercise certain police powers outside the jurisdiction of the appointing law enforcement agency if the appointing law enforcement agency enters into an agreement with another law enforcement agency that is authorized to employ a Tier II or Tier III program graduate, or an entity that sets forth the extent of police powers the law enforcement officer may exercise. Makes changes to penalties for highway worksite violations. Increases the penalty for criminal recklessness from a Class B to a Class A misdemeanor. Provides that criminal recklessness is a: (1) Level 6 felony if the crime is committed while armed with a deadly weapon or is committed while operating a vehicle; (2) Level 5 felony if the person committed pointing a firearm while committing aggressive driving; (3) Level 4 felony if the crime is committed by shooting a firearm into a dwelling or other building or place where people are likely to gather or the person commits aggressive driving that results in serious bodily injury to another person; or (4) Level 3 felony if the crime is committed by shooting a firearm into an occupied motor vehicle or the person committed aggressive driving that results in the death or catastrophic injury of another person. Provides that a Level 3, Level 4, or Level 5 felony of criminal recklessness is considered a serious violent felony for purposes of unlawful possession of a firearm by a serious violent felon. Adds a hospital police department to the definition of police departments required to provide police officers with certain rights.
HB 1188: Resisting Law Enforcement
Increases certain penalties for resisting law enforcement.
HB 1199: Mental Health Support for Law Enforcement Officers
Requires a political subdivision to contract with mental health providers for the purpose of supplementing existing crisis intervention teams with mental health professionals. Specifies certain eligibility requirements for mental health professionals’ rapid response assistance. Requires a mental health professional who is appointed to accompany responding law enforcement or police officers to a call or be separately dispatched to an emergency involving a mental health or substance use disorder crisis. Provides that a law enforcement officer or police officer (officer) may not be held liable for damages, including punitive damages, for any act or omission related to a mental health professional’s contribution to a crisis intervention team or a crisis intervention team response. Specifies that no other person or entity may be held liable for certain damages by reason of an agency relationship with an officer. Defines certain terms.
HB 1266: Statue of Limitation for Certain Sex Crimes
Allows the prosecution of Level 1 and Level 2 felony sex offenses to be commenced at any time. Makes conforming changes
HB 1267: Statue of Limitations
Allows for the prosecution of: (1) child molesting to be commenced before the date the alleged victim reaches 51 years of age; and (2) rape to be commenced within 15 years after the commission of the offense.
Updated 01-09-2025