Sen. Shelli Yoder

Maddy summarySB 91 extends the expiration date of the state's syringe exchange program to July 1, 2036. This directly affects people who use syringe exchange services, primarily to prevent the spread of blood-borne diseases like HIV and hepatitis. The bill changes the program's current expiration date to a new end date in 2036, ensuring continued funding and operation. It does not alter the program's existing structure or eligibility requirements.

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.

Modifies the definition of "average of the annual compensation" for a member of the public employees' retirement fund (PERF) who retires after December 31, 2027. Specifies that compensation received in contemplation of retirement is excluded from the average of the annual compensation for particular members of PERF and the Indiana state teachers' retirement fund (TRF). Repeals a provision requiring the board of trustees of the Indiana public retirement system (board) to maintain separate accounts for each unit of local government. Provides that amounts forfeited under the public employees defined contribution plan must be used as determined by the board. Specifies a process by which a fully vested member of the public employees' defined contribution plan or the teachers' defined contribution plan may irrevocably elect to participate in PERF or TRF, as applicable. Modifies the information that must be included in a delinquency notice to a delinquent political subdivision. Modifies the requirements that apply to certain PERF members purchasing and claiming years of service credit in PERF. Allows, subject to particular requirements, certain TRF members to purchase and claim years of service credit in TRF. Allows a PERF or TRF member's employer to pay all or part of the member's contributions required for purchase of service credit. Allows a wage assignment to be made for the purpose of paying voluntary contributions of an employee of a political subdivision to a tax deferred retirement account. Provides that a municipality, a unit, an airport authority, a school corporation, or a charter school may require certain members of PERF to continue as members of that fund instead of the 1977 police officers' and firefighters' pension and disability fund (1977 fund). Requires, subject to certain limitations, the state to make contributions after December 31, 2026, that match, dollar for dollar, each state employee's deferred compensation contributions, not to exceed $28 per paycheck. Specifies a process by which portions of the funding sources for the retirement medical benefits account must be transferred to the state comptroller for the purpose of making matching contributions. Provides as a default rule that after December 31, 2026, each participant's membership in the retirement medical benefits account is terminated, participant subaccounts are forfeited, and subaccount amounts must be transferred to the state general fund. Requires the state comptroller to transfer certain amounts from the state general fund to each participant's defined contribution plan. Specifies a time frame within which a participant in the retirement medical benefits account may elect to remain a participant. Establishes the 2027 retiree health benefit trust. Provides that the retiree health benefit trust fund will be terminated when certain conditions are met. Increases the lump sum death benefit payable to the heirs or estate of a 1977 fund member. (The introduced version of this bill was prepared by the interim study committee on pension management oversight.)

Prohibits health practitioners and other specified individuals from performing pelvic, prostate, or rectal examinations on an anesthetized or unconscious patient except in specified circumstances. Specifies the requirements of a notice of informed consent.

Requires the Indiana State Nurses Association, any time there is a vacancy or expiration of a term on the board of nursing, to recommend to the governor a list of qualified nurses for appointment. (Current law requires the Indiana State Nurses Association to recommend the list when there is a vacancy on the board.) Allows an institution that has been operating an eligible nursing program for at least five years to increase the enrollment in any eligible nursing program at any rate the institution considers appropriate.

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.

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.

Allows the city of Gary to hire an appraiser to conduct appraisals of residential and commercial properties to assist the city with disposing of the city's real property. Prohibits an employee or appointed or elected official of the city from purchasing property that is appraised by the appraiser.

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION recognizing the 70th anniversary of The Arc of Indiana and honoring its enduring leadership and advocacy for Hoosiers with intellectual and developmental disabilities.