Sen. Shelli Yoder

Adds underground pumped storage hydropower using: (1) abandoned coal mines; (2) abandoned quarries; or (3) other suitable sites; located in Indiana to the list of sources and technologies that qualify as "clean energy resources" for purposes of the statute governing the Indiana voluntary clean energy portfolio standard program. Provides that this technology qualifies as a "renewable energy resource" for purposes of the statute providing certain financial incentives for energy utilities to invest in clean energy projects. Requires the state utility forecasting group to include this technology in its annual study on the use, availability, and economics of clean energy resources in Indiana.

Increases the value of estates that may be distributed via affidavit from $50,000 to $100,000. Increases the threshold for summary procedures for unsupervised estates from $50,000 to $100,000. (The introduced version of this bill was prepared by the probate code study commission.)

Provides that, beginning January 1, 2023, certain practitioners are subject to disciplinary sanctions if the practitioner communicates or disseminates to the general public an advertisement that includes deceptive or misleading information or does not prominently state the profession or license held by the practitioner. Establishes certain exceptions. Provides, for purposes of the law prohibiting the unlawful practice of medicine or osteopathic medicine, that "the practice of medicine or osteopathic medicine" includes attaching to an individual's name additional terms or other specified words that identify a member of a medical specialty. Establishes certain exceptions. Specifies that the exclusions to the practice of medicine and osteopathic medicine do not allow a person to use words or abbreviations that indicate or induce an individual to believe that the person is engaged in the practice of medicine or osteopathic medicine.

Establishes, rather than allows the president of Indiana University to appoint, a geological and water survey advisory council (council). Increases the number of members from nine to 11 and specifies who shall serve on the council. Requires the state geologist to serve as secretary of the council. Provides that the state geologist may cast the deciding vote to break a tie. Requires the council to meet quarterly. Establishes the center for water within the Indiana geological and water survey (survey) at Indiana University for the purpose of: (1) carrying out the survey's statutory duties concerning Indiana's water resources; (2) supporting long term studies of the state's water resources; and (3) upon request, providing resources to state agencies, municipalities, and soil and water conservation groups. Establishes the center for energy within the survey for similar purposes with respect to Indiana's natural energy resources. Allows the Indiana board of licensure for professional geologists (board) to elect a secretary who is not a member of the board. (Current law requires that the secretary of the board be elected from among the members of the board.) Increases the number of times the board is required to meet to at least two times each year. Allows a licensed professional geologist to request an informal review not more than 30 days after receiving a complaint. (Current law requires the request for an informal review to be made within 20 days.) Provides that if the board compels a licensed professional geologist to respond to a complaint or charges, the notification must be sent by certified mail and the response must be in writing. Allows a geologist who is licensed in another state to be licensed in Indiana if the other state's standards are substantially equal to Indiana's requirements. Requires a licensed professional geologist to obtain continuing education in the geological sciences as a condition of license renewal. Specifies that these continuing education requirements do not apply to a person who is not licensed as a professional geologist under Indiana law. Makes technical changes.

Repeals the statute specifying Medicaid eligibility for qualified pregnant women. Increases the Medicaid income eligibility requirements for pregnant women. Removes the Medicaid limitation for pregnant women of medical assistance coverage only for pregnancy related services. Provides that the extension of postpartum Medicaid coverage for pregnant women shall be determined by the office of the secretary of family and social services and must be at least 60 days but not more than 12 months beginning on the last day of the pregnancy.

Provides that certain information contained in a daily log of a law enforcement agency relating to the victim of a crime or delinquent act who is less than 18 years of age may not be disclosed by a public agency without the consent of the child's parent, guardian, or custodian, unless access to the records is specifically required by a state or federal statute or is ordered by a court under the rules of discovery. Provides that the information may be disclosed to the department of child services. Provides that a law enforcement agency shall maintain a daily log or record that lists suspected or investigated crimes, accidents, or complaints. (Current law provides that a law enforcement agency shall maintain a daily log or record that lists suspected crimes, accidents, or complaints.) Prohibits, after June 30, 2023, the broadcast of a Social Security number by police radio unless the broadcast is encrypted.

Defines "unlicensed caregiver" and allows an unlicensed caregiver of a child to intervene as a party in a: (1) child in need of services proceeding; or (2) proceeding to terminate the parent-child relationship; concerning the child.

Requires the state department of health to establish guidance and standards for health care providers for screening children in Indiana for lead poisoning from January 1, 2023, through December 31, 2026. Requires a health care provider who provides health care services to a child who is less than six years of age to take certain actions concerning a blood lead screening test from January 1, 2023, through December 31, 2026. Specifies that a parent or guardian is not required to have their child receive a blood lead screening test.

Amends the statute concerning the required annual report by the utility regulatory commission (IURC) to the governor and the legislative council as follows: (1) Requires the IURC to present the annual report to the interim study committee on energy, utilities, and telecommunications (committee) before October 1 of each year. (2) Provides that the annual report must include certain information concerning: (A) the energy utility industry; (B) the water and wastewater utility industries; (C) the communications services industry; and (D) Indiana's pipeline safety program. Makes conforming amendments to the statutes requiring the IURC to report annually to the committee concerning: (1) the energy utility industry; and (2) communications services. Makes other conforming amendments to Indiana Code sections referencing the IURC's annual report to the committee concerning communications services. Repeals Indiana Code provisions requiring the IURC to report annually to the committee concerning: (1) acquisitions under the statute concerning acquisitions of offered water or wastewater utilities; and (2) the Indiana voluntary clean energy portfolio standard program. Requires the IURC to adopt rules as the IURC determines necessary to implement Federal Energy Regulatory Commission Order No. 2222 concerning distributed energy resources and distributed energy resource aggregators.

A SENATE RESOLUTION honoring Sally Sloan for her contributions to Indiana's public education.