There were more than 1,200 bills filed in the Indiana General Assembly this legislative session ― far more than will make it into law by the end of April.
IndyStar is tracking the prominent bills that are actually moving through the legislative process and that would impact a wide variety of Hoosiers.
Here are some of the major bills that lawmakers talked about at the Statehouse last week.
Lead author: Sen. Mike Bohacek, R-Michiana Shores
What it does: The bill requires parental consent for social media use for people under age 16, and allows Indiana’s attorney general to sue social media operators that don’t comply.
Status: Passed by 10-1 vote in Senate Judiciary Committee on Jan. 15. It now goes to the full Senate for consideration.
More:Should kids need parental consent to use social media? Here’s what this bill would do
Lead author: Sen. Ryan Mishler, R-Mishawaka
What it does: The bill adds far more stringent and regular government reviews of the eligibility of Medicaid recipients and adds work requirements in order for someone to be eligible for the Healthy Indiana Plan, the state health plan for non-Medicaid recipients. In addition, it limits enrollment in the Healthy Indiana Plan. HIP is not Medicaid, but uses Medicaid funds.
Status: Heard in committee on Jan. 16. The next step is a committee vote.
Lead author: Sen. Jim Tomes, R-Wadesville
What it does: It makes intentional and reckless skidding while driving, known as “spinning”, a Class B misdemeanor and increases the penalties further if the spinning endangers, injures or kills another person. If the bill becomes law, a person found spinning could have their vehicle seized in a civil forfeiture.
Status: Heard in the Senate’s Corrections and Criminal Law committee on Jan. 14. It’s awaiting a committee vote.
More:Indiana lawmakers revive fight to combat ‘dangerous’ street takeovers
Lead author: Rep. Bob Behning, R-Indianapolis
What it does:The bill prohibits a public school from expelling or suspending a student because they are chronically absent or habitually truant and expands the number of days for a school to hold an attendance conference about a student’s absences from five days to 10. It also requires the Department of Education to establish best practices for student discipline on chronic absenteeism.
Status: Heard in the House Education committee on Jan. 15. The bill awaits a committee vote.
More:Proposed bill would ban expulsion for missing school, study absenteeism
Lead author: Sen. Eric Koch, R-Bedford
What it does:The bill prohibits the construction, operation, purchase, sale and lease of a long-haul water pipeline unless the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission signs off on it. However, the Citizens deal to provide water to the LEAP district in Lebanon is exempted from those rules.
Status: Heard in Senate’s utilities committee on Jan. 16. The bill now awaits a committee vote.
Lead Author: Sen. Liz Brown, R-Fort Wayne
What it does:The bill restricts government entities, including school districts and the Indiana Department of Child Services, from intruding on parental rights or keeping information from parents, unless there is a compelling governmental interest.
Status: Passed by 9-2 vote in Senate Judiciary Committee on Jan. 15. It now goes to the full Senate for consideration.
Lead author: Rep. Bob Behning, R-Indianapolis
What it does:The bill aims to loosen restrictions for Indiana schools and education systems, including by nixing the education credential requirement for the Indiana secretary of education, changing the timing of when teachers are paid and removing certain training and professional development requirements.
Status: Heard in House education committee on Jan. 15. It now awaits a committee vote.
Contact IndyStar state government and politics reporter Kayla Dwyer at kdwyer@indystar.com or follow her on Twitter @kayla_dwyer17.
Contact senior government accountability reporter Hayleigh Colombo at hcolombo@indystar.com or follow her on X at @hayleighcolombo.
Contact IndyStar state government and politics reporter Brittany Carloni at brittany.carloni@indystar.com or 317-779-4468. Follow her on Twitter/X @CarloniBrittany.
