What you need to know about how bills become law in Indiana & the timeline for this session–from MadVoters.
The Indiana Legislative session has started–and it’s a short one. It will end by Feb. 27. Bills will move fast or die quickly.
Proposed legislation
The following isn’t a complete list–nearly 600 bills were filed. MadVoters, Hoosier Environmental Council, Chalkbeat Indiana and other groups have focused on the following as some of the more significant bills.
Most of the bills listed by category. Designations of ‘we support’ and ‘we oppose’ are from MadVoters, the Hoosier Environmental Council and Indivisible NWI. Each bill has been assigned to a committee, but that doesn’t mean it will receive a hearing and a vote. Bills must pass out of committee in order to receive a vote on the House or Senate floor. Many bills die in committee because no hearing or vote is scheduled. If you want a bill to pass, you must apply pressure to the committee chair to schedule a hearing and then a vote. Click on the link to the committee provided for each bill; scroll down to the members of that committee to contact the chairman to urge they schedule a hearing. When a vote is scheduled, contact all members of that committee to let them know how you want them to vote. Use the same tactics for bills you oppose–urge committee chairs not to schedule a hearing and if a vote is scheduled, let committee members know how you want them to vote.
Most of the following information is from MadVoters’ Bill Tracker. Much of the information about the education bills are from Chalkbeat Indiana. Most of the environmental bills are from Hoosier Environmental Council. Another good source to track bills that are of most interest is LegiScan.
The following bills are scheduled for a final vote in its originating chamber
We support
HB 1036. Children in need services. Requires DCS to conduct an in-person assessment before closing an investigation involving a child who the department has reason to believe is a child in need of services (CHINS). That is, a situation where a minor faces abuse, neglect, abandonment, or poses a danger to themselves, and their parents can’t or won’t provide necessary care like food, shelter, medical help, or supervision. Final vote in House scheduled for 2-2. Contact your representative.
HB 1065. Ban on gratuities for public officials. Bans bribes and rewards over $100 to public officials for performing a service. Contact your representative.
We oppose
HB 1389 Adoption and foster care matters. Prevents governmental entities from taking adverse actions against any person or legal entity – including religious organizations, adoptive parents, and foster parents – based on their sincerely held religious beliefs with regards to adoption and foster matters. Concern on coercion, indoctrination, and disaffirmation of vulnerable children. Committee discussion included allowing a “Foster Care Ministry” – a group of churches across the state working on collaborating to take over some DCS work, as well as the lack of oversight of vulnerable children. Contact your representative.
Affordability
We support
HB 1177 Child care assistance. Expands the Indiana’s Employer Child Care Expenditure Credit to incentivize more businesses to provide child care benefits. Allows redevelopment commissions to use Tax Increment Financing (TIF) revenue to provide financial assistance for the construction or expansion of child care facilities. This turns child care into a piece of local infrastructure, similar to roads or utilities, to attract businesses to specific districts. Final vote in House scheduled for 2-2. Contact your representative.
Education
We oppose
HB 1099. Foreign adversaries. Prohibits state universities from admitting Chinese, Russian, Iranian, or North Korean students into certain engineering, technology, or medical programs. Prohibits citizens or residents of China, Russia, Iran, or North Korea from purchasing, inheriting, or otherwise acquiring land or property in Indiana; and limits them to renting for no more than 12 months. Prohibits technology contracts between Chinese, Russian, Iranian, or North Korean businesses and state or local governments. This is xenophobia that will harm educational and economic outcomes for Indiana. Contact your representative.
HB 1423. Indianapolis public school corporation. Greatly reduces decision-making power of IPS’s elected school board and transfers it with an all-appointed board (heavily influenced by pro-charter interests). Not only is this taxation without representation, but it adds another costly layer of bureaucracy. Contact your representative.
High Alert: HB 1086. Display of Ten Commandments. The original bill mandated the display of 10 Commandments in each classroom and school library. As amended, the bill gives teachers the options to post the 10 Commandments, but they may not teach on or read aloud the Commandments. While an improvement, this bill still fundamentally violates the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment of the US Constitution: permitting teachers and administrators to publicly post the 10 Commandments is coercive to students and signals the preference of a specific belief system. The ACLU and various Christian, Muslim, and Jewish organizations testified against HB 1086 in the House Committee.
The following bills have passed the House and are now in the Senate. Contact committee chairs and members. In addition, contact your senator.
House Bill 1019. Constitutional amendment ballot question. Contains the ballot language Hoosier voters will see at the Nov. 3 general election when they’ll decide whether to ratify or reject a proposed constitutional amendment, authored by Aylesworth, that was approved by the General Assembly in 2023 and 2025. It would allow any qualified individual residing in the county where a city or town court is located, or the nearest neighboring Indiana county, to be eligible to seek election or appointment as a municipal court judge without having to relocate their residence to the community. Contact your senator.
House Bill 1025. Residency of public defenders. Expands any residency requirement for attorneys working as public defenders, as well as public defender office employees, to include all counties contiguous to the county where the individual works. A county’s chief public defender could still be required to live in the county. Contact your senator.
HB 1070. Online lottery sales and voluntary exclusion. If passed, Indiana will join Illinois and 17 other states where so-called iLottery games are legal. Under the plan, Hoosiers age 18 and up could establish an online Hoosier Lottery account and purchase tickets for regularly drawn lottery games, such as Powerball, MegaMillions or Hoosier Lotto, or buy digital versions of scratch-off lottery tickets. (NWI Times) Contact your senator.
HB 1256 Campaign finance reports of local candidates. Requires the county clerk to upload candidates’ campaign finance report to the clerk/election board’s website. Referred to Senate Elections Committee
Chairman Sen. Mike Gaskill: s25@iga.in.gov, 317-234-9443. Also, contact your senator.
HB 1307. Department of child services ombudsman. Mandates improved oversight for DCS via an ombudsman office to investigate complaints. Referred to Senate Family and Children Services Committee
Chairman Sen. Greg Walker: s41@iga.in.gov, 317-232-9489. Also, contact your senator.
Affordability
We are neutral or are watching
HB 1001. Housing matters. Seeks to increase housing supply, particularly affordable housing, by streamlining approval processes and reducing local regulatory barriers. Contact your senator.
We support
HB 1002. Electric utility affordability. Seeks to enhance customer financial stability, improve utility accountability, and create a structured rate-making process. These changes include mandating budget billing options, offering opt-out mechanisms without penalties, and implementing multi-year rate plans with performance metrics. Assigned to Senate Utilities Committee, Chairman Sen. Eric Koch: s44@iga.in.gov, 317-234-9425. Also, Contact your senator.
Education
We support:
House Bill 1137. Ultraprocessed foods and beverage. Would apply to any public school that participates in a federally funded or assisted meal program. Beginning with the 2027-28 school year, those schools could no longer serve or sell foods or beverages containing certain additives during the school day, including in cafeterias and vending machines, nor allow third-party vendors to do so. Contact your senator.
We oppose:
HB 1176. Education matters. Creates additional pathways for converting existing public schools into charter schools. Unlike public schools, charter schools don’t have elected school boards accountable to taxpayers and voters. They are also exempt from some regulations required of public schools and have a well-documented history of fraud and closure. Referred to Senate Education and Career Development Committee, Chairman Sen. Jeff Raatz: s27@iga.in.gov, 317-233-0930. Also, contact your senator.
Environment
We support:
HB 1062: Limiting wake boarding and wake surfing. HB 1062 attempts to address shoreline erosion in small freshwater lakes by prohibiting wakeboarding and wake surfing. Contact your senator.
Health
We support
HB 1335. Nonprofit hospitals. Increases the oversight and accountability for nonprofit hospitals in Indiana. Requires nonprofit hospitals to provide community benefits that exceed the value of their tax exemptions. Mandates that hospitals proactively inform patients about financial assistance and charity care programs. Referred to Senate Health and Provider Services Committee, Chairman Sen. Ed Charbonneau: s5@iga.in.gov, 317-232-9494. Contact your senator.
Privacy
We support:
HB 1027. Sale of bureau of motor vehicles information. Prohibits the BMV from selling the personal data of individuals under 21, those 65 and older, or any individual who chooses to opt out. Referred to House Roads and Transportation. Contact your senator.
Veterans
We oppose:
HB 1343. Military or veteran affairs. While much of this broad bill is outside the scope of MADVoters, we do oppose section 5, which would grant police powers to the National Guard. These expanded police powers raise concerns about the militarization of police and encroachment on civil liberties. Senate Homeland Security and Transportation Committee, Chairman Sen. Michael Crider: s28@iga.in.gov, 317-234-9054. Read more at Indiana Capital Chronicle.
The following bills have passed the Senate and are now in the House for consideration. Contact committee chairs and members. In addition, contact your representative.
We are neutral or are watching:
SB 212. State income tax conformity. Amends the definition of “Internal Revenue Code” to conform with certain provisions enacted in Public Law 119-21 (H.R. 1) (commonly known as the One Big Beautiful Bill Act of 2025). This bill adopts a few of the federal tax breaks to Indiana taxes. (The state tax code generally conforms with federal law for the simplicity of determining taxable income. But lawmakers aren’t yet sure which of the tax breaks in the federal bill will be applied to state taxes. For example, a hefty tax break for businesses included in what Republicans dubbed the “One Big Beautiful Bill” won’t be applied to state taxes under this legislation.) Passed the Senate unanimously and was referred to the House. Contact your representative.
SB 78: Wireless communication device policy. Bans cellphones, personal laptops, smartwatches, and other devices from schools for the full school day and specifies that any learning on devices must be done on school-issued devices. Read more here. Contact your representative.
Senate Bill 270. Hundreds of Indiana townships would likely be forced to merge under this bill. The legislation would merge the least-efficient townships in the state based on a data-driven point system. An estimated 315 to 330 of Indiana’s 1,008 townships would be forced to merge with neighboring jurisdictions.
We oppose:
SB 008. Library budgets. SB 8 turns the final budget approval for public libraries over to the local government rather than the library board if (1) the library is a majority-appointed board (which is most of them), and (2) the library board’s proposed budget is 2% higher than the previous budget. This is known as a binding review. Currently, binding reviews are done if the proposed budget is 4% or greater, so SB 8 proposes to cut that in half. SB 8 could lead to a loss of financial independence, funding reductions, and political/partisan volatility. Referred to Senate Tax and Fiscal Policy Committee, Chairman Sen. Travis Holdman: s19@iga.in.gov, 317-232-9453.
* Statement from Eckhart Public Library
SB 012. Prohibition of ranked choice voting. Prohibits the use of ranked choice voting in Indiana elections. This means that voters will not be able to rank candidates by preference, and elections will continue using traditional voting methods. This bill doesn’t resolve low voter turnout or improve voter access. Tully [League of women Voters] said the league in Indiana supports ranked choice voting to “reduce the toxicity of negative campaigning, to advance those candidates who have broad support, to keep candidates and campaigns issues-focused.” Referred to House Elections and Apportionment Committee, Chairman Rep. Tim Wesco: h21@iga.in.gov, 317-232-9676
We support:
SB 015. Foster youth. Requires DCS to create a Foster Youth Bill of Rights statement. Referred to House Elections and Apportionment Committee, Chairman Rep. Tim Wesco: h21@iga.in.gov, 317-232-9676
Affordability
We oppose
SB 1. Human services matters. This bill is a priority proposal for the chamber’s Republican caucus, would end Indiana’s expanded eligibility for SNAP, which allows those with slightly more assets to participate than under the federal baseline. That would push an estimated 3,000 households off the program, according to a fiscal analysis by the nonpartisan Legislative Services Agency. Significantly tightens eligibility and administrative requirements for SNAP and Medicaid. Terminating “expanded categorical eligibility” (BBCE) means Indiana will revert to stricter federal income and asset limits, estimated to lead to significant benefit cuts or terminations for millions, including working families and seniors. Expands mandatory work or training requirements to age 64. Requires verification of immigration status and reporting of non-verified individuals. Moving from annual to semiannual (every 6 months) eligibility renewals increases the risk of “procedural” disenrollment, where eligible people lose coverage due to missed paperwork, as well as increases administrative burden and administrative costs. Other provisions would set legal status requirements for SNAP participants — but count all of the income and assets of ineligible immigrants toward their household’s eligibility determination and benefit allotment. Passed out of committee to the Senate floor for a vote. Referred to House Ways and Means Committee, Chairman Rep. Jeff Thompson: h28@iga.in.gov, 317-232-9651. Contact your representative.
We support:
SB 6: Required public outreach by utilities. SB 6 would require utilities to conduct public outreach when purchasing or condemning a piece of land or property for a water main. Contact your representative.
Criminal justice
We oppose:
SJ 1 Amends Indiana’s Constitution to allow judges to deny bail for certain “dangerous” defendants. If it passes the House, it will be on the November ballot for voters to make the final decision. Read more about this resolution and the resolution process at Indiana Capital Chronicle. Referred to House Committee on Courts and Criminal Code.
Chairwoman Rep. Wendy McNamara: h76@iga.in.gov, 317-232-9802. Contact your representative.
SB 002. Bail procedures. Provides the mechanism for the constitutional amendment. Expands a judge’s authority to deny bail to “substantial risk” suspects who were previously guaranteed the right to release. Could lead to higher pretrial detention rates and further overcrowd county jails without providing additional funding. Risks turning pretrial detention into a form of punishment before a person has been convicted of a crime. See also SJR 1 and SB 3. Referred to House Committee on Courts and Criminal Code, Chairwoman Rep. Wendy McNamara: h76@iga.in.gov, 317-232-9802.
* Read ACLU’s statement
SB 003. Constitutional amendment ballot language. Prescribes the ballot language for the proposed constitutional amendment concerning bail: “Currently, under the Constitution of the State of Indiana, a person charged with murder or treason is not entitled to be released on bail if the proof is evident or the presumption strong. Shall the Constitution of the State of Indiana be amended to provide that a person charged with an offense other than murder or treason is not entitled to bail if: (1) the proof is evident or the presumption strong; and (2) the state proves by clear and convincing evidence that no release conditions will reasonably protect the safety of any other person or the community. Referred to House Judiciary Committee, Chairman Chris Jeter: h88@iga.in.gov, 317-232-9769
Education
We oppose:
SB 88: Various education matters. Prior to being amended, SB 88 mandated that public school curriculum include instruction on the 10 Commandments, and restrictions on discussions about racism, sexism, and classism. This section has since been removed, but concerns remain: the bill mandates that schools include instruction on the importance of waiting until marriage to have children as part of being a “good citizen.” This is out of scope for a public school, and risks shaming students for their personal circumstances. The bills also mandates that colleges accept the Classic Learning Test (which emphasizes conservative content and Christian texts), in addition to the SAT and ACT. The CLT is used mostly by religious-affiliated private schools. It’s clear this bill is intended to elevate conservative, Christian perspectives within the public education sphere. It’s also worth noting that language within this bill is basically copy-paste from the Heritage Foundation, and did not originate from Hoosiers’ real concerns.
SB 200. Public school matters. Mandates that schools must allow “youth patriotic organizations” (currently limited to certain organizations as determined by the federal government, like FFA and the Boy and Girl Scouts) to provide information to students on school grounds at least two times per school year. If a school refuses this access, an organization may submit a grievance to the Indiana Department of Education. Schools found in violation of these access requirements may face a reduction in funding or other consequence. Here is why we’re concerned: If federal law changes to classify Turning Point as one of these eligible “youth patriotic” organizations, schools will effectively have their hands tied and be forced to work with them. Referred to House Committee on Education,
Chairman Rep. Bob Behning: h91@iga.in.gov, 317-232-9753. Hearing scheduled for 2/4.
SB 239. Various education matters. Creates additional pathways for converting existing public schools into charter schools. Unlike public schools, charter schools don’t have elected school boards accountable to taxpayers and voters. They are also exempt from some regulations required of public schools and have a well-documented history of fraud and closure.
Environment
SB 277. Indiana Department of environmental management. Under SB 277, when faced with evidence of “imminent and substantial endangerment” to human health caused by pollution, the IDEM Commissioner would no longer be required to go to court to stop the pollution. That means, in contrast to the current law, the Commissioner will have the option to do nothing to protect Hoosiers’ health livelihoods. In addition to considering whether a state rule is “more stringent than” the applicable federal regulation, the IDEM Commissioner will now be legally required to consider whether that rule would be “burdensome” to the affected industry – but not Hoosiers’ health, livelihoods, or future. In short, SB 277 dismantles Indiana’s system of environmental management and makes enforcement of any remaining environmental protections essentially optional. (Hoosier Environmental Council) Use HEC’s online action form to take easy action.
Health
We oppose:
SB-236. Criminalizes the mailing or delivery of abortion-inducing drugs like Mifepristone and Misoprostol into Indiana. Enables private citizens to file wrongful death lawsuits and qui tam lawsuits against people or organizations that provide abortion pills – incentivizing people to act as bounty hunters that could receive $100,000. Changes the definition of abortion to exclude miscarriage management and ectopic pregnancy, which is medically inaccurate. Requires terminated pregnancy reports to be shared with the Governor-appointed Inspector General (who had no medical training) and the Indiana Department of Health, risking patient and doctor privacy. Physicians who testified against the bill also cited the chilling effect this bill would have on healthcare accessibility and maternal care deserts. Referred to House Public Health Committee, Chairman Rep. Brad Barrett: h56@iga.in.gov, 317-232-9695
*Abortion-inducing drug ban’s lawsuit, reporting provisions take heat
We support:
SB 085. Health care debt and costs. Protects patients from aggressive medical debt collection practices while requiring greater transparency and financial assistance options from hospitals. Requires hospitals to offer payment plans to eligible individuals and publicize clear information about financial assistance options.
SB 091 Syringe exchange program extension. Extends Indiana’s syringe exchange program until July 1, 2036, which has helped reduce the spread of HIV and hepatitis. Without this extension, the program will expire. Passed committee 10-0. Referred to House Public Health Committee, Chairman Rep. Brad Barrett: h56@iga.in.gov, 317-232-9695. Read more: *Damien Center urges lawmakers to extend Indiana needle exchange programs.
SB 225. Hospital matters. Increases oversight of hospital business practices and protects patients from aggressive debt collection. Requires hospitals to provide advance notice of closure (120 days for entire hospital, 90 days for a service, like OBGYN department). Referred to House Public Health Committee, Chairman Rep. Brad Barrett: h56@iga.in.gov, 317-232-9695. Hearing scheduled for 2/4.
SB 144. Tobacco products and vapor products. Prohibits sale of vapor products to individuals under age 21. Contact your representative.
Immigration
We oppose:
SB 076 . Immigration matters. Strengthens the enforcement of federal immigration laws. Mandates that the Indiana Attorney General must defend law enforcement officers, governmental bodies, or postsecondary institutions in civil suits. Prohibits employers from hiring undocumented people. Referred to Judiciary Committee, Chairman Chris Jeter: h88@iga.in.gov, 317-232-9769. Hearing scheduled for 2/2.
Other
We support:
SB 140. Doxxing. Criminalizes doxxing. The right to privacy and freedom from intimidation are foundational for democracy. Referred to House Committee on Courts and Criminal Code, Chairwoman Rep. Wendy McNamara: h76@iga.in.gov, 317-232-9802
We oppose:
SB 182. Gender issues. Erases legal recognition of trans, intersex, and non-binary Hoosiers by establishing “sex” and “gender” as synonymous terms throughout the Indiana Code, defining them solely by biological characteristics (chromosomes and anatomy) present at birth. Prohibits changes to an individual’s gender on their birth certificate. Trans, non-binary, and intersex people do exist, and human sexuality and biology is far more complex than 2 genders. Referred to House Public Health Committee, Chairman Rep. Brad Barrett: h56@iga.in.gov, 317-232-9695
SB 285. Housing Matters. SB 285 criminalizes homelessness, making it significantly harder for unhoused individuals to secure future employment or permanent housing. If found guilty of sleeping on city or state property, individuals could receive a Class C misdemeanor, punishable by up to 60 days in jail and/or a fine up to $500. Diverts some state funds from permanent housing toward substance abuse treatment, mental health services, and short-term shelter solutions – the preferred solution wouldn’t be taking from one but to fund both. Prohibits local governments from enacting policies that “prohibit or discourage” the enforcement of public camping or sidewalk obstruction ordinances, overruling local control.
HB 1233 Masking offenses. Makes wearing a mask at a public assembly a Class C misdemeanor, and increases the penalty to a Class A misdemeanor for a second or subsequent offense. Increases the penalty for rioting and disorderly conduct to a Level 6 felony if the offense is committed while wearing a mask
