Rep. Becky Cash

Removes vacation pay and sick pay from the definition of "deductible income". Amends the definition of "suitable work" to apply solely to extended benefit claims. Amends the definition of "employment" with respect to certain religious, charitable, or educational organizations. Provides that the department of workforce development may make certain direct deposit disbursements under limited circumstances. Provides that the date a determination of eligibility is sent is prima facie evidence of proper service. Codifies certain administrative rules with respect to benefit payments, the filing of claims, and notice. Removes outdated or expired provisions. Removes references to dependents' allowances for purposes of calculating extended benefits. Provides that an individual who files a disaster unemployment assistance claim may be eligible for additional benefits under certain circumstances. Makes conforming changes.

Consolidates duties and responsibilities for Ivy Tech Community College (college). Includes logistics, information technology, and life sciences as areas of expertise for members of the college's board of trustees (board). Provides that members of a campus board may represent an employer that operates within the campus service area. Provides that the campus board, in collaboration with the campus chancellor, shall nominate and submit candidate names in the event of a campus board vacancy. Requires the campus board to: (1) develop and recommend certain plans to the board; and (2) make certain budget recommendations to the campus chancellor. Realigns and consolidates the primary purposes of the college. Consolidates duties and responsibilities for the board. Requires the Indiana economic development corporation, not later than December 1, 2026, to: (1) develop an education to employment research program; and (2) create a framework for education to employment data analysis and data sharing. Repeals certain provisions regarding the purpose and requirements of the college.

Adds a facility or event that provides entertainment or programming primarily directed toward a child less than 18 years of age to the list of facilities at which a sexually violent predator or an offender against children may not work or volunteer. Adds entering a facility or location holding an event that provides entertainment or programming primarily directed toward a child less than 18 years of age by a serious sex offender to the crime of unlawful entry by a serious sex offender. Renames the offense of "inappropriate communication with a child" to "sexual grooming", and provides (in addition to the current elements of the offense) that a person commits the offense if the person engages in a pattern of repeated or continuous contact with an individual whom the person believes to be a child less than 14 years of age, with the intent to condition the individual to be less resistant to future sexual conduct or sexual activity. Specifies that "computer network" includes cellular telephones.

Amends good citizenship instruction requirements. Includes the Classic Learning Test in certain references to nationally recognized college entrance examinations. Requires a state educational institution (SEI) to accept the Classic Learning Test examination to the same extent the SEI accepts the ACT or SAT examination with respect to admission criteria. Requires the department of education to identify schools that allow students who are not enrolled in the school to take certain examinations at the school and present the information in a manner that can be conveniently and easily accessed from the department's website.

Includes the general assembly in the list of state entities to which the management performance hub (MPH) must make available certain government information. Provides that the MPH's annual data product: (1) must include certain sources of information; and (2) must be made available to the general assembly. Amends the definition of "workforce focused agency" to include the state workforce development board. Provides that certain workforce related programs include apprenticeship programs, unless the apprenticeship program receives certain funding. Requires a regional representative appointed to the Ivy Tech Community College (college) state board of trustees (state board of trustees) to serve as a nonvoting member of the college campus board (campus board) for the region the member represents. Requires each college campus to review building utilization data prior to approving capital requests or requests for proposals. Requires the state board of trustees to create and approve evaluation tools for campus boards to provide annual feedback on the performance of the campus chancellors. Requires the college to annually provide: (1) certain program and student metrics information; and (2) an analysis of market labor outcomes; to each campus board. Requires each college campus to: (1) prepare a campus strategic plan that connects to the college's strategic plan; and (2) submit the campus strategic plan to the state board of trustees for approval. Provides that, when a vacancy occurs in the position of a campus chancellor, a member of the campus board, selected by the campus board, shall serve on the search committee appointed by the president of the college. Establishes requirements and restrictions regarding adolescent use of social media. Makes a violation of the requirements and restrictions a deceptive act.

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.

Maddy summarySB 139 exempts women who are breastfeeding from serving on jury duty in the state. The bill directly affects breastfeeding women by waiving their obligation to serve, though it specifies certain requirements for eligibility. Key provisions include establishing criteria to determine who qualifies for the exemption, though the exact requirements are not detailed in the provided abstract. The bill is currently under review by the House Committee on Courts and Criminal Code following its referral on January 20, 2026. This change would adjust jury duty obligations for a specific group without altering broader legal procedures.

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.

Maddy summaryHR 51 is a commemorative resolution honoring Officer Brian Elliott, authored by Representative McGuire and coauthored by numerous representatives. It formally recognizes Officer Elliott's service and contributions, though it does not create any new laws or alter existing policies. As a procedural resolution, it has no direct policy impact or effect on specific groups beyond the ceremonial acknowledgment of the officer. The bill was adopted during its first reading on February 25, 2026.

Amends Indiana high school equivalency diploma program eligibility requirements for individuals under 18 years of age. Changes the expiration date of the high school equivalency pilot program from June 30, 2026, to June 30, 2028. Makes conforming changes.