Sen. Fady Qaddoura

Provides that a county board or assessing official shall not enter a property to conduct a physical inspection without first receiving the permission of the taxpayer to enter the property. Provides that under specific circumstances, that an individual may serve as a tax representative of any taxpayer concerning property subject to property taxes. Changes the expiration date for the county option circuit breaker tax credit. Describes elements that must be included in a report that must be prepared by the department of local government finance and presented to an interim study committee regarding automated valuation systems.

Amends the definition of "ambulatory outpatient surgical center" to remove the requirement that a surgical procedure is permitted to be performed only by a physician, dentist, or podiatrist who has certain hospital privileges. Prohibits a hospital, debt collector, or other third party from pursuing medical debt collection if the hospital is noncompliant with specified statutes. Requires the Indiana department of health (state department) to determine on a semiannual basis whether a hospital is in compliance with the statutes and notify a hospital concerning the state department's compliance determination. Authorizes the attorney general to suspend the authority of a hospital to pursue medical debt collection when the state department has made a final determination that the hospital is noncompliant. Creates an affirmative defense for a debtor if the collection attempt occurred while the hospital was noncompliant. Requires a hospital to provide the state department with 60 days written notice if the hospital plans to: (1) close and permanently terminate all hospital operations; or (2) completely eliminate a service line for longer than 90 days. Allows for a waiver of the notification requirements in specified circumstances.

Allows the alcohol and tobacco commission (commission) to refuse to grant or renew or to suspend or revoke a retailer's permit if a licensed premises becomes a public nuisance or the scene of certain acts or prohibited conduct. Allows the chairman of the commission to temporarily suspend an alcoholic beverage retail permit if all of the following apply: (1) The chairman has a reasonable belief that a felony has been committed on the licensed premises. (2) The permit holder failed to take reasonable action to prevent the occurrence of a crime. (3) Multiple crimes or violations have occurred on the licensed premises in the last 12 months. (4) The continued operation of the licensed premises would pose a clear and immediate danger to the safety of the surrounding community or general public. Requires the commission to: (1) provide immediate notice to the permit holder of a factual basis for the suspension and the time and place of a hearing on the suspension; and (2) hold the hearing not later than three business days after the permit is suspended.

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.

Specifies the sex offender reporting requirements for persons who are sex offenders or required to register in other jurisdictions. Adds "high risk missing person" to the definition of "missing child". Specifies that the silver alert program applies to missing children. Removes provisions concerning possession of child sex abuse material (CSAM) from the statute containing the offense of child exploitation, and makes a new section for CSAM offenses. Creates a new crime for distribution of CSAM, and generally conforms the sentencing enhancements for possession of CSAM, distribution of CSAM, and child exploitation. Specifies that certain restrictions on CSAM in discovery also apply in civil proceedings (under current law, they only apply in criminal proceedings). Provides a defense in specified circumstances. Removes certain duplicative provisions and makes conforming amendments and technical corrections.

Adds four members to the statewide child fatality review committee, one of whom is appointed by each of the following: (1) The speaker of the house of representatives. (2) The president pro tempore of the senate. (3) The minority leader of the house of representatives. (4) The minority leader of the senate. Provides that a court may grant postadoption contact privileges to the birth parent of a child if the child is at least one year of age (rather than two years of age, under current law). Adds information that must be included in the annual report of the department of child services (department) concerning child fatalities or near fatalities in Indiana that are the result of child abuse or neglect. Requires the department to promptly disclose to the public certain information regarding child fatalities or near fatalities. Allows the department, upon request, to provide additional information regarding cases of child fatalities or near fatalities subject to certain requirements. Provides that the obligation of the department to conduct a detailed assessment of a report of known or suspected child abuse or neglect does not apply if the report is screened out and referred to a law enforcement agency. Provides that the department: (1) shall disclose information regarding reported child abuse or neglect to a member of the United States Congress representing Indiana or a member of the Indiana general assembly (state legislator) upon request of the state legislator; (2) may release information to the news media to confirm, clarify, correct, or supplement information concerning reported child abuse or neglect that has been made public by a source other than the department; and (3) shall, upon request by the news media, report to the news media specified information regarding the death of a child whose death is suspected to be the result of child abuse or neglect. Provides that if the information disclosed or released by the department includes a record that is redacted to exclude specified information, the record is not confidential. Provides that the department may provide unredacted reports or material to: (1) a service provider that requires access to the unredacted reports or material to assess whether the service provider's services are suitable for the child; and (2) the attorney general or a prosecutor for purposes of a criminal investigation by the attorney general or prosecutor. Provides that the statutory limit on the department's provision of services to a parent, guardian, or custodian of a child who is the subject of a petition alleging the child to be a child in need of services (CHINS) applies: (1) regardless of whether the child has been removed from the home of the parent, guardian, or custodian; (2) regardless of whether the services are provided at the direction of a court or at the direction of the department; and (3) beginning on the date on which the CHINS petition is filed. Makes technical and conforming changes.

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.

Requires the department of child services to: (1) create a statement called "the foster youth bill of rights", which is to summarize a foster youth's rights and responsibilities; (2) update the statement periodically; (3) distribute the statement to specified individuals; and (4) publish the statement on the department's website. Defines "foster youth" for purposes of the foster youth bill of rights. Makes conforming changes.

Allows a participant in the state excise police, gaming agent, gaming control officer, and conservation enforcement officers' retirement plan to elect a joint and survivor option for the payment of the participant's retirement allowance. Provides for a thirteenth check in calendar year 2026 for certain members, participants, or beneficiaries of the: (1) Indiana state teachers' retirement fund; (2) Indiana public employees' retirement fund; (3) state excise police, gaming agent, gaming control officer, and conservation enforcement officers' retirement plan; (4) state police pre-1987 benefit system; and (5) state police 1987 benefit system.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a standardized process to determine eligibility for advanced DNA testing in unsolved cold cases. It directly affects law enforcement agencies handling unresolved crimes and potentially individuals wrongfully convicted in long-pending cases. The key provision establishes clear criteria for when DNA evidence can be retested using modern technology, replacing inconsistent past practices. This changes how cold case investigations are conducted by requiring law enforcement to follow specific, defined steps to request testing.