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.
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.