Appropriations

Department of education and education matters.

Various education matters.

Alcohol and tobacco matters.

Various health care matters.

Indiana department of environmental management.

Indiana department of administration.

Thirteenth check.

Sex crimes and child safety.

Gaming matters.

Indianapolis public education corporation.

Fertilizer.

Indiana department of health.

Human services matters.

Resisting law enforcement conflict resolution.

Electric utility affordability.

County policies.

FSSA fiscal matters.

Regulation of hemp.

Natural resource entrance fees.

1977 pension and disability fund.

Public purchasing from Indiana businesses.

Criminal law matters.

Eminent domain.

Thirteenth check.

State administered retirement program.

Prekindergarten and child care.

Various elections matters.

Various education matters.

Pension matters.

Insurance matters.

Education and higher education matters.

Mobile retail food establishment licenses.

State budget.

Study of location of gambling operations.

Emergency transport to appropriate facility.

Teacher compensation.

State fiscal and contracting matters.

Cancer research and treatment grants.

Indiana department of health.

Prosecutors.

Juvenile law matters.

Indiana National Guard.

Higher education and workforce development matters.

Various health care matters.

Cybersecurity.

Medicaid matters.

Juvenile justice matters.

Grain indemnity.

Office of entrepreneurship and innovation.

Family and social services matters.

Natural resource entrance fees.

Civil legal aid fund.

Military and veteran matters.

1977 pension and disability fund.

Pension matters.

Low water crossings.

Comparative college and career information.

Pharmacy benefit administration.

Automated external defibrillator requirements.

K-12 education funding.

Higher education benefits for military service.

Compensation for business losses.

Audit of state agencies.

Special death benefit for OIG investigators.

Military base infrastructure grant program.

Social work licensure compact.

Medicaid waiver for reimbursement for food.

Gaming revenue distribution.

Loans from the common school fund.

State loans for property tax revenue shortfall.

Caregiver tax credit.

Whole home repairs program.

Local government pensions.

Grants for violence intervention programs.

Various education matters.

Education and higher education matters.

Excess liability trust fund.

School safety.

Indiana semiquincentennial license plate.

Higher education matters.

Artificial intelligence and cybersecurity.

State disaster relief fund.

Fiscal matters.

Transition to teaching scholarships.

Various education matters.

Biomarker testing coverage.

Professions and professional services.

Prohibition on use of dedicated lanes.

Military and veteran issues.

Community cares initiative grant pilot program.

Psilocybin treatment program.

Trauma informed care.

Various health care matters.

Property taxes.

Historic sites.

Education accounts.

School funding.

Firearms training for teachers.

Education and workforce development.

FSSA matters.

Transportation matters.

Audit of Medicaid program prescription drug costs.

Various education matters.

Higher education scholarships, grants, and cost exemptions.

Various motor vehicle matters.

Next generation Hoosier educators scholarship program.

Eligibility under Medicaid, CHIP and other benefits.

Robotics programs.

ICJI victim services division.

Education matters.

Various education matters.

Education matters.

Professional sports and convention development areas.

Marion County road funding.

Long term services.

School safety.

Prescription for hormonal contraceptives.

Workforce development matters.

Administrative rules concerning carbon dioxide.

Business associations.

Unclaimed property matters.

Certified technology parks.

Watercraft registration renewal fee.

State veterans' cemeteries.

Assistance for funeral and cemetery expenses.

Conviction data.

Computer aided emergency dispatch systems.

Commercial solar and wind energy ready communities.

Risk management and catastrophic liability funds.

State budget.

Civil service annuity income deduction.

Energy audit of state government campus.

Limitation of liability for DCS contractors.

Health matters.

Thirteenth check.

Imagination library.

Indiana historical murals.

University housing for single mothers.

Opioid settlement.

Driving privilege cards.

Enforcement of deceptive consumer sales act.

Work sharing unemployment benefits program.

Funding for defendant examinations.

Cigarette tax revenue stamp allowance.

Early learning.

Armed forces reservist tuition supplement program fund.

Indiana historic tax credits.

Special death benefit for OIG investigators.

Taxation of railcar companies.

Thirteenth check.

Salaries of state officers and appellate judges.

Health care.

Marion County taxes for excluded cities.

Funding the demolition of blighted properties.

Workforce retention incentives.

Earned income tax credit.

Tuition and fee exemptions.

Local infrastructure funding.

Community crossing grants.

Tax and fiscal matters.

Carbon sequestration projects.

Public safety matters.

Various education matters.

Health matters.

Department of natural resources.

Economic development.

Special death benefit.

Electronic voting machines.

Commissions and committees.

Appropriation of donated money.

Newborn screening requirements.

Prosecuting attorneys.

Higher education funding.

Department of correction.

Semiquincentennial commission.

Automated traffic control system pilot program.

School referendum levies.

Next level connections fund.

1977 pension and disability fund.

Sheriff compensation.

Behavioral health training grants.

Reservist tuition supplement program.

Next level Indiana fund.

Department of health reversion.

Motor fuel tax reductions.

Workforce retention and recruitment fund.

Federal funding for early childhood education.

Federal funding for child care.

Education matters.

TANF program.

Tribal-state compact.

Broadband development.

Various education matters.

Marion County zoning.

Courts and magistrates.

Broadband development.

Permanent trailer registration.

Broadband development.

Professional sports and convention development areas.

Military and veterans matters.

Hyperbaric oxygen treatment pilot program.

Pharmacy benefit managers.

Funding for virtual instruction in public schools.

Thirteenth check and $50 increase payment.

Court matters.

Music production incentive program.

Highway finances.

Gaming operations.

Indiana education scholarship account program.

Collection of veteran status information.

Gary Community School Corporation.

Rent, utilities, and mortgage assistance.

Sheriff reimbursement rate.

Reimbursement for emergency medical services.

Various education matters.

State board of accounts.

Courts and judicial officers.

Local transportation projects.

Health programs.

Recovery of litigation expenses.

Healthy food finance.

Insurance drug coverage.

Additional revenue for bargaining teacher salary.

Teachers' retirement fund appropriation.

Teacher salary increases.

Perinatal care. Requires the state department of health (department) to establish a perinatal navigator program. Requires a health care provider to: (1) use a validated and evidence based verbal screening tool to assess a substance use disorder in pregnancy for all pregnant women who are seen by the health care provider; and (2) if the health care provider identifies a pregnant woman who has a substance use disorder and is not currently receiving treatment, provide treatment or refer the patient to treatment. Requires the department to establish guidelines for health care providers treating substance use disorder in pregnancy. Adds the

Human services matters. Requires that the office of the secretary of family and social services prepare and submit a report that: (1) identifies certain administrative and reporting requirements that are unnecessary or overly burdensome; and (2) makes recommendations. Establishes distribution parameters for certain money appropriated to the first steps program. Provides that a managed care organization may not require a licensed psychiatrist to be certified by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology for purposes of credentialing or contracting with the psychiatrist while the psychiatrist is practicing at a community mental health center. Requires the executive board of the state department of health to amend rules to reflect current private publications used in hospital licensure rules. Requires a home health agency to randomly test: (1) at least 50% of certain home health agency's employees; and (2) employees suspected of illegal use of a controlled substance. (Current law does not require testing of both groups of employees.) Requires the behavioral health and human services licensing board to meet monthly. Allows the board of pharmacy to approve a remote or mobile location for a nonresident pharmacy that is registered with the board. Allows a pharmacy that holds a retail permit to offer drugs and devices to a long term care facility, a health facility, and a housing with services establishment. Provides that the term "wholesale distribution", for purposes of the wholesale legend drug distributor laws, does not include the sale or transfer of a drug by a charitable organization to: (1) a nonprofit affiliate of the organization; or (2) a nonprofit entity that is not affiliated with the organization; to the extent permitted by law. Provides that a program to accept unused medication by a business or other entity is not subject to regulation by a city, town, or county. Prohibits a city, town, or county from requiring a business or other entity to pay for or establish a program to accept unused medication. Adds gabapentin to the definition of "controlled substance" for purposes of the Indiana scheduled prescription electronic collection and tracking (INSPECT) program. Provides that the rules of the INSPECT program that were adopted before its repeal are considered to be adopted under the new INSPECT law. Requires a health plan that denies prior authorization for certain prescription drugs to provide an alternative list of prescription drugs or alternative treatments covered by the health plan. Requires the board of veterinary medical examiners to study the regulation of veterinary technicians.

Regional holding facility. Provides that a "regional holding facility" is an existing facility that is currently established and operated by the department of correction (department) that offers mental health and substance abuse treatment, workforce development, educational programs, and other evidence based programs designed to reduce recidivism. Provides that a local economic development organization may enter into a regional holding facility lease agreement with the department of correction to: (1) address the issue of jail overcrowding in Indiana; (2) reduce recidivism by offering programs in an unused department of correction facility; and (3) obtain federal funding to operate the facility. Establishes conditions under which a county sheriff may transfer certain confined jail offenders to a regional holding facility. Establishes requirements for transfer agreements between the department and county sheriffs. Requires the department to collect data and report the outcomes of services provided by a regional holding facility to the legislative council. Provides that reimbursements paid by the state to the county for the costs of incarcerating a confined jail offender shall be used to pay for a confined jail offender housed in either a regional holding facility or a county jail. Provides that the Indiana criminal justice institute shall identify any federal, state, or local grants that can be used to assist in the funding and operation of regional holding facilities. Allows political subdivisions to enter into public-private agreements with an operator to accomplish the design, financing, construction, acquisition, improvement, renovation, equipping, operation, or maintenance of a regional jail. Establishes the county jail overcrowding task force to: (1) conduct a statewide review of jail overcrowding; and (2) study the issue of how to reduce recidivism for convicted felons in county jails by offering programs designed to reduce recidivism. Requires the justice reinvestment advisory council to conduct a statewide review of bail reform and pretrial issues and to identify common reasons and possible local, regional, and statewide solutions.

Workforce diploma reimbursement program. Provides that the governor's workforce cabinet (cabinet), in coordination with the department of workforce development (department), shall administer the program. Provides that the purpose of the fund is to provide payments to eligible program providers that assist adults who are more than 22 years of age in: (1) developing employability and career technical skills; and (2) obtaining high school diplomas. Provides that: (1) the cabinet shall approve eligible program providers to participate in the program; and (2) the department shall publish a list of approved eligible program providers and other information concerning the program on the department's Internet web site. Requires the cabinet to include in the report the cabinet submits concerning workforce related programs the cabinet's review, analysis, and evaluation of the program, including the cabinet's and department's activities related to the development of the program.

Department of child services. Provides that an older youth who received foster care is eligible to receive collaborative care services until the individual becomes 21 years of age. Provides that the caseload of a family case manager may not be more than: (1) 12 active cases relating to initial assessments; (2) 12 families in active cases relating to ongoing in-home services; or (3) 13 children in active cases relating to ongoing services who are in out-of-home placements. Requires the department of child services (department) to initiate an assessment immediately, but not later than two hours (rather than one hour, under current law), after receiving a report of child abuse or neglect if the department believes the child is in immediate danger of serious bodily harm. Requires the department to provide a report concerning an assessment or investigation of a report of suspected child abuse or neglect not later than 45 days after the department initiates the assessment if the report of suspected child abuse or neglect was received from certain entities. Provides that a child is a child in need of services if the child's parent, guardian, or custodian has failed to supply the child with necessary food, clothing, shelter, medical care, education, or supervision: (1) when the parent, guardian, or custodian is financially able to do so; or (2) due to the failure, refusal, or inability of the parent, guardian, or custodian to seek financial or other reasonable means to do so. (Current code does not consider financial ability.)

Traffic crimes. Provides that an operator of a motor vehicle who: (1) operates a motor vehicle after the operator's driving privileges have been suspended or revoked; and (2) causes an accident that results in injury or death to another person; commits a separate offense for each person injured or killed as a result of an accident caused by the operator. Provides that an operator of a motor vehicle who leaves the scene of an accident that: (1) was caused by the operator; and (2) involves injury to another person; commits a separate offense for each person injured by an accident caused by the operator. Provides that leaving the scene of an accident involving moderate bodily injury is a Level 6 felony. Makes the penalty for leaving the scene of an accident involving the death or catastrophic injury of another person a Level 4 felony. Increases the penalty for causing serious bodily injury when operating a motor vehicle while intoxicated from a Level 6 felony to a Level 5 felony. Enhances the penalty for the offense to a Level 4 felony if the person has a previous conviction for the offense. Makes the penalty for causing the death or catastrophic injury of another person when operating a motor vehicle while intoxicated a Level 4 felony in certain instances. Provides that an operator of a motor vehicle who: (1) is a habitual traffic violator; and (2) causes an accident that results in the injury or death of another person; commits a separate offense for each person injured or killed as a result of an accident caused by the operator. Allows multiple sentences for the offense to be served consecutively in certain instances. Provides that the operator of a motor vehicle who: (1) flees from a law enforcement officer; and (2) causes an accident resulting in bodily injury, serious bodily injury, catastrophic injury, or death of another person; commits a separate offense for each person injured or killed as a result of the operator's vehicular flight from police. Allows multiple sentences for the offense to be served consecutively in certain instances. Defines "catastrophic injury" and increases the penalty for certain offenses involving catastrophic injuries. Specifies that "metabolites" refers to metabolites in a person's blood. Makes conforming amendments.

School corporation expenditure targets. Provides that a school must specify in its proposed budget the anticipated amount it will transfer from its education fund to its operations fund during the budget year and requires an acknowledgment at its budget hearing of whether it will transfer more than 15% from its education fund to its operations fund. Requires the Indiana education employment relations board to annually prepare, publish, and submit a report to the budget committee and the legislative council that covers various employment information for school employees. Provides that a school corporation shall make every reasonable effort to budget and spend for its education fund so that not more than 15% of the revenue deposited in its education fund is transferred to its operations fund. Requires the department of education (department) to identify and notify those school corporations that transfer more than the 15% amount for the previous calendar year beginning in 2020. Requires a school corporation's governing body to publicly acknowledge receipt of a notice that the school corporation is on the list and publish on the school corporation's Internet web site that it is on the list along with related items. Requires the Indiana education employment relations board and the division of finance of the department to be available to provide assistance to each school corporation that is included on the list. Requires a school corporation that is not on the list to publish this fact on the school corporation's Internet web site. Provides that, if a school corporation is over the transfer target, the school corporation is required to explain its expenditures to the department and the fiscal and qualitative indicators committee. Provides that the department may require the school corporation to present its explanation to the fiscal and qualitative indicators committee at a public meeting. Permits the fiscal and qualitative indicators committee to issue a recommendation to the school corporation, and requires posting of the recommendation on the school corporation's Internet web site.

Income tax deductions. Increases the income tax deduction for income from military retirement or survivor's benefits beginning in 2019.

Funding for veterans programs. Extends to 2021 the veterans pilot program that provides assistance for certain providers to provide diagnostic testing and hyperbaric oxygen treatment to veterans. (Under current law, the program expires June 30, 2020.) Eliminates the requirement that a veteran must pay a co-pay equal to 10% of the cost of treatment billed to the Indiana department of veterans' affairs (department) or the state department of health for diagnostic testing and hyperbaric oxygen treatment. Provides that an individual veteran may not be required to pay a co-pay under the program. Voids the rule of state department of health defining "co-pay" for purposes of the program. Requires the state department of health to adopt emergency rules to amend specified existing program rules to do the following: (1) Remove the requirement that a veteran must pay a co-pay equal to 10% of the cost of treatment billed to the department. (2) Provide that grants may not be made under the program after June 30, 2021.

Student mental health. Adds additional purposes for which matching grants made under the Indiana secured school fund (fund) may be used. Amends the uses relating to school security for which the fund may be used. Establishes the student and parent support services grant program. Urges the legislative council to assign to an appropriate interim study committee the task of studying school districts, within and outside of Indiana, that have: (1) implemented trauma informed approaches in the school districts; and (2) worked with community partners to provide systems of care for students.

First steps program. Provides that, for purposes of determining a family's income under the first steps program, a family is presumed to have an income that is not more than 250% of the federal income poverty level if the family is receiving benefits under Medicaid, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), or the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program. Requires the division of disability and rehabilitative services to review and revise the division's policy regarding make-up therapy sessions, including defining what constitutes a "make-up" or "missed" session, based on recommendations from the interagency coordinating council.

State budget. Appropriates money for capital expenditures, the operation of the state, K-12 and higher education, the delivery of Medicaid and other services, and various other distributions and purposes. Renames the build Indiana fund the lottery surplus fund. Eliminates all the build Indiana fund accounts. Declares the policy of the state that no person may be denied coverage for a preexisting condition under a plan of health coverage offered or administered by the state. Specifies that the preexisting condition exclusion provisions of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA) are in effect and enforced in Indiana, regardless of the legal status of the PPACA. Establishes the Indiana-Michigan boundary line commission to administer and oversee a survey and remonumentation of the Indiana-Michigan border. Eliminates the office of state based initiatives. Makes the budget agency responsible for coordinating federal assistance to state agencies. Prohibits certain state agency action regarding federal assistance. Requires state agencies to provide federal assistance information to the budget agency. Requires the budget agency to: (1) prepare an annual report summarizing the federal assistance received by state agencies during the preceding federal fiscal year; (2) publish a comprehensive federal assistance review plan; and (3) perform a review of the current impact and projected future impact of federal mandates and regulations on Indiana. Makes the budget agency the state's single point of contact to review and coordinate proposed federal financial assistance and direct federal development. Adds the two deputy budget directors as alternate members of the budget committee, and specifies that one of the deputy directors shall take the place of the budget director when the budget director is not present. Removes the restriction on the Indiana horse racing commission using money distributed under a distribution agreement for administrative purposes. Requires 0.45% of the adjusted gross receipts from each casino to be deposited in the horse racing commission's operating fund. Establishes the problem gambling program fund. Specifies that the part of the problem gambling fee that is retained annually by the Indiana gaming commission must be deposited into the fund. Provides that the money in the fund is continuously appropriated. Permits the trust fund for self-insurance for employees, including retired employees, for the state police department, conservation officers of the department of natural resources, and the state excise police to invest in the same investments as the state police pension plan instead of the public employees' retirement fund (the trust fund could not invest in equity securities). Permits the retiree health benefit trust fund to invest in the same investments as the public employees' retirement fund instead of in the same manner as public deposits may be invested. Requires a periodic actuarial study of the retiree health benefit trust fund. Provides that employer contributions to the retirement medical benefits account (RMBA) on behalf of a participant must be sufficient to provide the specified benefit. Changes the administration and investment decisions for the RMBA from the budget agency to the Indiana public retirement system (INPRS). Changes responsibility for reports concerning other post-employment benefits (OPEB) from the office of management and budget (OMB) to the INPRS. Changes responsibility for reports concerning local pensions from the OMB to the INPRS. Changes references to Governmental Accounting Standards Board Statements that apply to OPEB reports. Repeals the Indiana technology fund. Provides that a taxpayer may submit, beginning in 2021, a personal property tax return using an online submission system established by the department of local government finance in collaboration with county assessors. Replaces the postwar construction fund with a fund named the state construction fund. Dedicates $1,800,000 to the state construction fund from a part of the cigarette tax revenue formerly appropriated to the department of natural resources. Repeals the state police building account and directs the revenue formerly deposited in the account to the state construction fund. Establishes requirements to be eligible to claim the Indiana research expense income tax credit effective January 1, 2019. Increases the cap on the scholarship granting organization scholarship tax credit from $14,000,000 to $15,000,000 for the state fiscal year beginning July 1, 2019, and to $16,500,000 for state fiscal years beginning after June 30, 2020. Repeals the income tax credit for property taxes paid by a for-profit acute care hospital. Provides various tax exemptions for the College Football Playoff Group for the College Football Playoff National Championship, including ancillary events. Provides that money in the department of state revenue pilot program fund for functions related to motor carrier services is continuously appropriated. Allocates a percentage of St. Joseph County innkeeper's tax revenue: (1) for the development and operation of an indoor sports complex in the city of Mishawaka; and (2) to finance projects for the Potawatomi Zoo in the city of South Bend. Expires both of these allocations and decreases the innkeeper's tax rate by the percentage allocated for the respective purposes on the later of: (1) July 1, 2024; or (2) a specified date to occur. Removes the reduction from the motor vehicle highway account fund for the appropriation to the department of transportation for traffic safety. Transfers $325,000 each month to the motor carrier regulation fund from the motor vehicle highway account fund. Requires the bureau of motor vehicles to determine the allocation to counties from the motor vehicle highway account fund that is based on motor vehicle registrations. Provides that proceeds received under the First Amendment to the Amended and Restated Indiana Toll Road Concession and Lease Agreement entered on September 21, 2018, are to be deposited in a new fund known as the toll road lease amendment proceeds fund for certain state highway projects. Appropriates $239,400,000 from the toll road lease amendment proceeds fund in state fiscal year 2019 to be used for the purposes of the fund. Terminates the appropriation to the state police department of part of the handgun license fees as of July 1, 2019. Transfers any balance remaining in the fund holding these fees to the state general fund on June 30, 2021. Requires the division of disability and rehabilitative services to establish a cost participation schedule for purposes of the first steps program. Repeals the statutory cost participation schedule. Provides that the money in the division of family resources child care fund is continuously appropriated. Removes the requirement that a school corporation distribute to the state general fund 3% of the federal reimbursement for claims paid under the federal Medicaid program. (Under current law, these funds distributed to the state general fund are dedicated for consulting to encourage school participation in the Medicaid program.) Extends the prohibition on the office of Medicaid policy and planning from including certain Medicaid recipients who receive nursing facility services in a Medicaid risk based managed care program or a capitated managed care program through June 30, 2020. Specifies conditions that apply to a Medicaid disproportionate share hospital payment plan (DSH payment plan). Requires the hospital assessment fee committee (committee) to prepare a DSH payment plan or a default plan and submit the DSH payment plan or default plan to the office of the secretary of family and social services (office of the secretary). Sets forth requirements for state fiscal years: (1) beginning July 1, 2019; and (2) beginning on or after July 1, 2020. Requires the office of the secretary to file with the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) a proposed Medicaid state plan amendment that is based on the DSH payment plan or default plan prepared by the committee and implement the plan amendment if the state plan amendment is approved by CMS. Provides for a continuous appropriation from the prekindergarten pilot program fund. Establishes a township assistance online pilot program to provide for ease of access and efficient application for township assistance, automate the application process for township assistance, and create a system to collect and report data regarding township assistance administration. Extends the hospital assessment fee and the health facility quality assessment fee through June 30, 2021. Increases the maximum amount of a primary care scholarship awarded at Marian University College of Osteopathic Medicine in the first class year from $10,000 per year to $15,000 per year. Provides that the department of child services may enter into a voluntary service referral agreement with a child's parent, guardian, or custodian. Adds the budget director as a member of the justice reinvestment advisory council. Permits the state to purchase insurance required by the federal government in connection with the use of federal land for the state's wireless public safety voice and data communications system. Extends the judicial and legislative branch leave conversion pilot program through June 30, 2021. Requires the governor to appoint a task force to study the Indiana law enforcement academy. Appropriates $325,000 from the state general fund to the Indiana department of gaming research for the July 1, 2018, through June 30, 2019, state fiscal year. Provides that appropriations from the state board of accounts dedicated fund for the state board of accounts for the state fiscal year beginning July 1, 2018, may be augmented from the state board of accounts dedicated fund. Provides that unused funds appropriated to the legislative council and legislative services agency in FY 2019 or FY 2020 do not revert to the general fund until June 30, 2021. Permits a state officer to use state funds to make a communication containing the name and likeness of the state officer if the communication: (1) is posted or maintained on a state owned Internet web site; (2) relates to the official duties of the state officer and is not made for commercial broadcast or dissemination to the general public; or (3) is posted on social media, if the communication relates to the official duties of the state officer, was not created, developed, or posted by a nongovernmental entity, and if the social media service provider does not charge for the posting. Specifies allowable terms for a settlement agreement involving the state or a state agency. Provides for the ability for cash flow funding before a full funding grant agreement is approved for the northern Indiana railroad project. Requires the northwest Indiana regional development authority to repay the amount if a full funding grant agreement is not approved. Modifies the membership of the board of the northern Indiana commuter transportation district (board). Provides that board members are not entitled to a salary per diem. Permits the board to authorize the Indiana department of transportation (INDOT) to exercise all or a part of the powers of the board that are necessary or desirable to accomplish the purposes of the board subject to the agreement of INDOT, including carrying out a railroad project. Broadens the powers of INDOT to contract with third parties to carry out a railroad project. Establishes the next level connections fund to provide matching grants to local units of government and nonprofit organizations for trails, incentivize and establish additional nonstop flights originating from Indiana airports, and accomplish the transportation plan of the department of transportation. Permits INDOT to transfer up to $100,000,000 from the next level connections fund to the rural broadband fund for the purpose of awarding broadband grants for rural areas. Establishes the northern Indiana commuter rail account within the fund. Requires the budget agency to transfer $185,000,000 from the next level connections fund to the northern Indiana commuter rail account. Permits the transfer of up to an additional $20,000,000 from the next level connections fund to the northern Indiana commuter rail account, subject to the approval of the governor. Provides that any proposed extension or amendment to certain agreements shall be submitted to the budget committee for review. Prohibits any extension or amendment to such an agreement until after the budget committee has reviewed the proposed extension or amendment. Specifies that any lump sum amounts or series of amounts totaling more than $1,000,000 received under a public-private agreement entered into by the Indiana finance authority before January 1, 2013, must be held in reserve until May 1 of the calendar year following the calendar year in which the lump sum payment or series of payments was received. Authorizes the state and state agencies to enter into cooperative agreements with federally recognized Indian tribes. Specifies the necessary terms of a cooperative agreement. Requires a provision of a cooperative agreement waiving the state's sovereign immunity to be reviewed and approved by the attorney general. Specifies the conditions that must be met for the state to waive its immunity from suit in federal court under the Eleventh Amendment to the Constitution of the United States with respect to a cooperative agreement. Adds federally recognized Indian tribes to the list of governmental entities with which local governments may enter into interlocal agreements. Provides that a marketplace facilitator is required to collect and remit state sales tax as a retail merchant when it facilitates a retail transaction for sellers on the marketplace facilitator's marketplace. Specifies circumstances in which a marketplace facilitator or a seller would not be required to collect and remit the state sales tax. Specifies that sharing of passenger motor vehicles and trucks through a peer to peer vehicle sharing program is a retail transaction subject to the state gross retail and use tax if sharing occurs more than 15 days in a calendar year. Provides that the exemption for the purchase of a new motor vehicle that is acquired for resale, rental, or leasing in the ordinary course of the person's business does not apply to a vehicle purchased for sharing through a peer to peer vehicle sharing program. Provides that vehicle sharing through a peer to peer vehicle sharing program is exempt from the auto rental excise tax and a county supplemental auto rental excise tax unless an ordinance is adopted to impose the county tax. Limits the county supplemental tax rate to 1%. Imposes a vehicle sharing excise tax at a 2% tax rate. Distributes the revenue from the tax to political subdivisions based on the vehicle's county of registration. Requires a marketplace facilitator to collect and remit innkeeper's tax. Repeals the definition of "facilitator" that is set to go into effect July 1, 2019. Repeals the provision requiring a facilitator who is a retail merchant to provide an itemized statement to the consumer. Provides that primary personal residences are exempt from the state gross retail tax unless the owner rents or furnishes the residence for more than 14 days. Provides for the collection of food and beverage taxes. Makes failure to collect or remit food and beverage taxes a Level 6 felony. Provides that a county treasurer may enter into an agreement with the fiscal officer of an entity responsible for the expenditure of funds from an innkeeper's tax to furnish the fiscal officer each month with the name and retail address of each business collecting an innkeeper's tax and the amount of money collected from each business. Provides that the state department of health shall issue guidelines establishing a cost participation standard for the amount of a parent's or guardian's expected contribution toward the purchase of a hearing aid for which assistance is granted under the hearing aid assistance program (program). Provides that the state department of health may issue guidelines establishing additional funding priorities to give to applications that are submitted under the program. Suspends the healthy Indiana plan phase out trust fund payments beginning in state fiscal year 2018-2019, subject to budget committee review. Requires the department of child services to establish a per diem model to reimburse providers of family preservation services. Appropriates $150,000,000 from the state general fund to the 1996 account of the teachers retirement fund of the Indiana public retirement system (INPRS). Specifies that the board of trustees of the INPRS is to reduce the employer contribution rate. Requires the governing body of each school corporation after July 1, 2019, and before October 1, 2019, to hold a public meeting to determine: (1) the dollar amount of the reduction in the school corporation's employer contribution rate; and (2) the actions the governing body of the school corporation intends to take with that amount. Provides for thirteenth checks in 2019 and 2020 for certain members of the: (1) Indiana state teachers' retirement fund; (2) 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. Urges the legislative council to assign to the appropriate interim study committee the topic of the complexity index used in funding K-12. Requires the auditor of state to transfer any balance in the regional cities development fund to the state general fund on June 30, 2019. Reconciles conflicts with other enactments. Makes corresponding changes. Makes technical corrections.

Substance abuse prevention grant programs. Provides that the division of mental health and addiction may establish and administer the: (1) community and faith based substance abuse programs grant; and (2) community and faith based substance abuse transportation assistance grant program. Sets forth requirements for the grants.

State police supplementary death benefit. Provides that the state police department may not use a deceased employee beneficiary's retirement date with the department as a factor in determining the amount of the deceased employee beneficiary's supplementary death benefit.

School corporation operations fund levy. Provides for an increase in the maximum permissible operations fund levy for the North Spencer County School Corporation.

Marion County magistrates. Allows the Marion County superior courts to appoint 24 full-time magistrates after December 31, 2019, not more than 12 of whom may be from the same political party.

Indiana ABLE account. Allows a taxpayer to make a one-time transfer from a particular college choice 529 education savings plan account to an Indiana ABLE 529A savings plan without being subject to the requirement for the repayment of tax credits.

Gaming matters. Authorizes sports wagering at riverboats, racinos, a Vigo County casino, and satellite facilities. Provides for the administration and conduct of sports wagering. Imposes initial and annual fees on a licensed owner, operating agent, vendor, or permit holder conducting sports wagering. Imposes initial and annual licensing fees on vendors conducting sports wagering. Specifies that a vendor contracting with a certificate holder has the same authority to conduct sports wagering as the certificate holder. Provides that the Indiana gaming commission (IGC) may issue a temporary certificate of authority or a temporary license to conduct business under certain circumstances. Requires the IGC to deposit vendor license application fees in the sports wagering fund. Requires the IGC to deposit sports wagering service provider license application fees in the sports wagering fund. Sets forth duties for the IGC concerning: (1) sports wagering; and (2) granting certain gambling licenses. Requires the IGC to adopt administrative rules. Specifies that the IGC may act upon information received from a sports governing body in considering requests to prohibit wagering on particular events or to prohibit making wagers of a particular type. Establishes a sports wagering service provider license. Provides that certain items must be acquired from a person that holds both a supplier's license and a sports wagering service provider license. Provides that certain services must be obtained from a person holding a sports wagering service provider license. Specifies that required background checks apply to employees engaged in activities related to sports wagering. Specifies permissible sports wagering wagers. Prohibits wagering on e-sports. Provides the process for withholding delinquent child support from sports wagering winnings. Imposes a sports wagering tax of 9.5% on adjusted gross receipts received from sports wagering. Requires 3.3% of the tax revenue received to be deposited in the addiction services fund. Provides that the Gary riverboat may transfer to an inland location if the licensed owners: (1) pay a $50,000,000 fee; and (2) relinquishes the license for the second riverboat before the date determined by the IGC's approval of the Gary riverboat relocation. Provides that a relinquished license is a terminated license. Caps the maximum number of gambling games that can be offered at the relocated Gary casino. Requires the licensed owner of the relocated Gary casino to pay an additional fee of $50,000,000 if: (1) gaming operations are relocated; and (2) the licensed owner sells or transfers the owner's interest in the owner's license within five years of relocation. Requires the licensed owner of the relocated Gary casino to: (1) offer each employee at the riverboat a similar position at the inland casino; and (2) consider hiring and training individuals laid off from the riverboat in East Chicago before considering other applicants. Provides that an owner's license may be issued to operate an inland casino in Vigo County. Requires the IGC to prepare a report that: (1) evaluates and updates a 2009 report concerning out-of-state casino competition and movement of casino licenses; and (2) describes the current state of gaming in Indiana. Establishes the Vigo County inland casino advisory board (advisory board). Requires the advisory board to provide recommendations concerning applicant proposals for an owner's license to the IGC. Requires the IGC to establish a competitive bid process for an owner's license to operate an inland casino in Vigo County that consists of: (1) an application process; (2) a process for submission of proposals; and (3) an auction process. Provides requirements for the competitive bid process. Requires the fee for the Vigo County casino license to be deposited in the state general fund. Requires a licensed owner or permit holder operating a casino in Vigo County to enter into a development agreement. Repeals the maximum number of owner's licenses that may be issued to a riverboat owner. Makes changes to the graduated wagering tax on gambling games at racinos and wagering tax on gambling games at riverboats. Provides that beginning with state fiscal years after June 30, 2021, a licensed owner or racino may not deduct more than $9,000,000 from adjusted gross receipts from wagering on gambling games. Provides that the IGC shall approve wagering on table games at a racino beginning January 1, 2021. Provides that the state treasurer shall distribute certain tax revenue from an operating agent operating a riverboat in a historic hotel district (operating agent) to the West Baden Springs historic hotel preservation and maintenance fund (fund). Provides that if the balance of the fund exceeds $25,000,000 or in any part of a state fiscal year after the adjusted gross receipts of the operating agent exceeds $100,000,000, distribution of tax revenue from the operating agent shall be paid to the state general fund. Establishes business participation goals for minority business enterprises, women's business enterprises, disadvantaged business enterprises, and veteran business enterprises for an inland Gary casino, a Vigo County casino, and sports wagering operations. Provides that a meeting between the governor's office, a representative of the governor's office, or the IGC and certain casino owners or potential casino owners must be a public meeting and are subject to the open door law. Makes technical corrections and other changes to conform with recent changes to the riverboat law.

Privacy and tracking of rape kits. Provides that a hospital or licensed medical services provider that provides forensic medical exams and additional forensic services to a victim (provider) is entitled to reimbursement from the victim services division of the Indiana criminal justice institute (division) if the provider initiates a claim for reimbursement through the sexual assault web based claims reimbursement and tracking system. Provides that personal information: (1) concerning a sexual assault victim; and (2) entered into the division's web based claims reimbursement and sexual assault examination kit tracking system; is confidential in certain instances. Provides that notification of a forensic sample's destruction may be provided by the division through the sexual assault web based claims reimbursement and tracking system. Requires law enforcement agencies and prosecuting attorneys to cooperate with the division by providing storage updates to the division via the sexual assault web based claims reimbursement and tracking system. Allows a victim to register for notifications concerning a sexual assault examination kit through the sexual assault web based claims reimbursement and tracking system. Defines certain terms. Makes conforming amendments. Makes technical corrections.

Indiana finance authority matters. Provides that any proposed extension or amendment to certain public-private agreements that: (1) makes a substantial change to: (A) the scope of the public-private agreement; or (B) the uses of the revenue generated under the public-private agreement; or (2) results in a positive, new revenue impact of at least $1,000,000 under the public-private agreement being amended or extended shall be submitted to the state budget committee for review. Prohibits any extension or amendment to such a public-private agreement until after the state budget committee has reviewed the proposed extension or amendment. Allows the chairman of the state budget committee to waive these requirements. Specifies that any lump sum amounts or series of amounts totaling more than $1,000,000 received under such a public-private agreement must be held in reserve until May 1 of the calendar year following the calendar year in which the lump sum payment was received.

Clark County circuit court. Establishes two new courts beginning July 1, 2019. Requires the governor to fill the vacancy in each of the courts that occurs when the court comes into existence. Provides that the first elected judges under the Indiana Constitution are elected at the November 2024 general election, take office January 1, 2025, and each hold office for a term of six years.

Ivy Tech Community College. Establishes the Ivy Tech Community College public safety officer scholarship program. Provides that a public safety officer may be eligible for a scholarship for educational costs of completing a certificate program or associate degree program at Ivy Tech Community College. Establishes the Ivy Tech public safety scholarship fund.

Court appointed youth advocate pilot program. Provides that the office of judicial administration may establish a youth advocate pilot program (pilot program) until July 1, 2021, for purposes of providing early intervention and mentoring services for children who are adjudicated delinquent. Provides that a youth advocate appointed under the pilot program is: (1) a volunteer; (2) appointed by a court to provide services for a child who is adjudicated delinquent; and (3) an officer of the court during the youth advocate's appointment. Provides that a youth advocate serves under the pilot program until: (1) the child for whom the youth advocate is appointed becomes 18 years of age; or (2) the court discharges the youth advocate; but may continue to serve in a volunteer capacity as a resource for the child thereafter. Provides that, except for gross misconduct, a youth advocate is immune from civil liability resulting from the youth advocate's performance of the youth advocate's duties: (1) in good faith; and (2) within the scope of the youth advocate's duties. Provides that information provided to a youth advocate by a child for whom the youth advocate is appointed: (1) is confidential; (2) may be disclosed only to the court that appointed the youth advocate or to the child's parent or guardian; and (3) may not be used against the child in a criminal or civil proceeding; except as required to report child abuse or neglect. Provides that the pilot program is funded through a combination of state, county, local, and private funding, with the state providing a dollar-for-dollar match of county and local funding, up to a maximum of $25,000 for any one county in any one state fiscal year, subject to availability of state funds. Provides for the reversion or return of funds upon the expiration of the pilot program.

Economic Development in Gary. Permits a licensed owner operating a riverboat in Gary to submit to the gaming commission (commission) a request to relocate the owner's gaming operations as follows: (1) One gaming operation to a location that is within the city limits of Gary. (2) One gaming operation to a location in Vigo County. Specifies the requirements for the approval of the request. Provides that if a request is approved, the owner shall transfer ownership of the property being vacated to the Gary-Indiana trans-modal compact (trans-modal compact). Requires the licensed owner, with regard to the gaming operation that is relocated within the city limits of Gary, to enter into a development agreement with the city of Gary. Requires the licensed owner, with regard to the gaming operation that is relocated to a location in Vigo County, to enter into an agreement with the trans-modal compact to provide the trans-modal compact with an annual distribution of money to be used for shoreline development and infrastructure of the vacated property. Establishes the trans-modal compact. Specifies the power and duties of the trans-modal compact. Creates the trans-modal compact board. Specifies the members of the trans-modal compact board. Requires the trans-modal compact to set goals to achieve employment and retention of employees from locally distressed communities in northwest Indiana for work on compact projects. Specifies the required goal. Requires the Indiana department of administration's division of supplier diversity to establish a five year pilot program to help small, disadvantaged businesses to better prepare to compete for government contracts. Specifies the requirements of the program. Requires Ivy Tech Community College to establish a program to engage community, industry, and government partners to initiate the processes to develop training pathways for the jobs projected to result from relocation of one gaming operation within the city limits of Gary. Establishes the building trades career skills program to enhance the northwest Indiana plan by providing training to mitigate the barriers trainees face while transitioning into a career in the building trades in the northwest Indiana region. Provides that the northwest Indiana plan shall administer the program. Specifies the requirements of the program. Makes changes to the definition of the term "project" in the ports of Indiana statute. Deletes the provision in current law that includes in the definition certain projects that are located outside of a port. Provides that, after December 31, 2019, creation of a local port authority is subject to the approval of the ports of Indiana.

Internet crimes against children fund. Establishes the Internet crimes against children fund (fund). Requires the state police department (department) to administer the fund and use money in the fund to: (1) pay for costs incurred by the department for training and purchasing equipment for the investigation of offenses that involve the use of the Internet in which a child is the alleged victim; and (2) award grants to county, city, and town law enforcement agencies that agree to use the money to investigate Internet crimes against children in accordance with United States Department of Justice Internet Crimes Against Children Operational and Investigative Standards.

Mental health center appropriation allotment. Amends the allotment of county funds to community mental health centers in Marion County to provide for a phased transition from a formula based on populations of service areas to a formula oriented toward numbers of enrolled consumers served. (Current law requires the allotment to be based upon the population residing in each service area.)

Sentencing. Makes dealing in a Schedule I or II narcotic drug as a Level 2 felony nonsuspendible if the person has a prior unrelated felony conviction for certain drug dealing offenses.

State payments in lieu of property taxes. Urges the legislative council to assign to an appropriate interim study committee the task of studying the topic of state payments in lieu of property taxes to counties in which at least 15% of all land in the county is: (1) in the aggregate, owned or leased by the state of Indiana or the federal government; and (2) subject to an exemption from property taxes.

Indiana youth service program. Provides that Ivy Tech Community College (Ivy Tech) shall develop a proposal to establish the Indiana youth service program (program) to provide high school graduates with the opportunity to learn various skills and participate in service at host sites throughout Indiana. Provides that Ivy Tech may seek input on the program from the department of workforce development, the commission for higher education, and the legislative services agency. Provides that Ivy Tech shall present the proposed program, including costs of administration, to the budget committee and the general assembly for review and consideration not later than December 1, 2019.

Adoption subsidy payments. Requires, with exceptions, the department of child services (department) to: (1) enter into an agreement with each adoptive parent of a child with special needs who is eligible for an adoption subsidy to provide an adoption subsidy for the child; and (2) allocate to the adoption assistance account funds necessary to make the adoption subsidy payments. Prohibits the department from terminating an adoption subsidy agreement with adoptive parents due to insufficient funds in the adoption assistance account. Provides that the amount of adoption subsidy payments may not be less than an amount equal to 50% of the amount that would be payable by the department for the monthly cost of care of the adopted child in a foster family home at the time the adoption subsidy agreement is made or the subsidy is payable under the terms of the agreement, whichever is greater. Makes conforming changes.

Behavioral health and addiction services. Makes an appropriation to the integrated behavioral health and addiction treatment development program account.

Educator salary increase grant. Provides an annual grant to school corporations to provide a 2.5% salary increase to licensed teachers, school counselors, social workers with at least a master's degree, and school psychologists. Appropriates $315,000,000 for the biennium to make grant distributions in both state fiscal years.

Veterans education benefits. Provides that a student who is eligible to receive a tuition and fee exemption because the student is a child of a veteran must maintain at least a cumulative grade point average that the eligible institution determines is satisfactory academic progress, which may not be less than a cumulative grade point average of 2.0 on a 4.0 grading scale or its equivalent as established by the eligible institution. (Current law requires the student to maintain at least a cumulative grade point average that the eligible institution determines is satisfactory academic progress.) Provides that if the Indiana department of veterans' affairs approves a request for a determination of eligibility for a person after the person initially enrolls in a state educational institution (institution) and while the person is attending the institution, the determination of eligibility shall be made retroactive to the date of submission to the United States Department of Veterans Affairs of the application to recognize the person's mother's or father's service related death or disability. Provides that the applicant may receive a refund equal to the amount of the tuition and fees paid to the institution by the applicant. Repeals a provision that limits the tuition exemption amount for a child of a veteran who served in the armed forces after June 30, 2011, based on the percentage of the parent's disability rating. Makes conforming amendments.

Allen County substance abuse pilot program. Removes a requirement that the administrator of the Allen County substance abuse pilot program (pilot program) expend $1 of local funds for every $1 of state funds expended. Provides that the Allen County board of county commissioners and the administrator of the pilot program shall determine what is considered a room and board day for a recovery residency for the pilot program. Provides for a rate of $32.50 per room and board day for a recovery residency. Makes an appropriation.

Guardian reimbursement and Medicaid eligibility. Specifies that an amount not to exceed $175 a month in court ordered guardianship fees for an individual who is: (1) in an institution; or (2) applying for or participating in the Medicaid aged and disabled waiver; is exempt from Medicaid income eligibility consideration.

Crisis intervention teams. Makes an annual appropriation from the state general fund to the law enforcement training board to carry out the purposes of the technical assistance center for crisis intervention teams.

Salaries of state enforcement officers. Requires, beginning July 1, 2019, that the salaries of the following be adjusted annually to incorporate any increase in the Consumer Price Index: (1) Police employees of the state police department. (2) Gaming agents and gaming control officers of the Indiana gaming commission. (3) Enforcement officers of the alcohol and tobacco commission. (4) Enforcement officers of the natural resources commission.

Economic development in Gary. Permits a licensed owner operating a riverboat in Gary to relocate one of the owner's licenses to operate an inland casino within the city of Gary. Requires the second Gary riverboat license to be sold to operate an inland casino to be operated at a location greater than 100 miles from Gary. Provides that the city of Gary may negotiate the percentage of the sales prices of the second Gary riverboat license that shall be evenly divided between the city of Gary, the Gary port authority, and the greater Gary community foundation. Requires 20% of the adjusted gross receipts of the second license be distributed to the city of Gary for 20 years. Requires the gaming commission to study and make a recommendation for a formula for East Chicago and Hammond to be held harmless from the Gary casino relocating to an inland casino. Provides that the Gary port authority (port authority) may operate a multimodal district within Gary with a Class I railroad. Provides that a member of the board of the port authority may not be a member of the development board of the northwest Indiana regional development authority. Provides that the port authority must have an executive director. Provides duties of the port authority. Provides that the city of Gary shall initiate the formation of the greater Gary community foundation (foundation). Requires the foundation, Ivy Tech Community College, and Gary industry to create a coalition to focus on education and workforce development. Requires the coalition to fund and implement comprehensive apprenticeship and workforce development programs. Requires the coalition to work with the Gary community school corporation to plan a new central campus and career center. Requires Ivy Tech to develop a credentialing program in certain industries. Creates the Gary environmental and remediation fund (fund). Requires the port authority to submit a report to the legislative council concerning a recommended appropriation for the fund and whether a tax incentive is necessary for the fund. Requires Gary and the greater Gary community foundation to enter into a community workforce agreement to promote certain objectives concerning the multimodal development.

Property tax deductions for veterans. Provides that a veteran who is classified as individually unemployable is entitled to a property tax deduction. Removes the limit on the gross assessed value of property eligible for the property tax deduction for a veteran who is totally disabled, is at least 62 years of age and has a disability of at least 10%, or is individually unemployable. Provides that the surviving spouse of an individual who dies while serving in the military or naval forces of the United States is entitled to a property tax deduction.

Student loan forgiveness for child service workers. Establishes the department of child services student loan forgiveness fund (fund) to provide grants for student loan repayment assistance to eligible department of child services (DCS): (1) family case managers; and (2) supervisors. Provides that DCS administers the fund. Requires an applicant to: (1) be employed by DCS as a family case manager or supervisor; and (2) have been employed by DCS as a family case manager or supervisor for at least three years immediately preceding the application; to be eligible for student loan repayment assistance. Provides that a family case manager or supervisor may not receive more than four grants for student loan repayment assistance through the fund.

Economic development. Requires the Indiana economic development corporation (corporation) to study and develop recommendations for economic development tools for local communities in distressed areas. Adds the city of Gary as a qualified municipality under the entrepreneur and enterprise district pilot program (program). Provides that the city of Gary may receive a grant of up to $1,000,000 per year under the program. Increases the amount the corporation may allocate from the Indiana twenty-first century research and technology fund to district boards established under the program from $2,000,000 to $3,000,000 per year.

529 college savings contribution tax credit. Eliminates the requirement that a taxpayer designate whether a contribution to a college choice 529 education savings plan will be used: (1) for qualified higher education expenses that are not qualified K-12 education expenses; or (2) for qualified K-12 education expenses. Eliminates the requirement that the Indiana education savings authority use subaccounting to track designations of withdrawals.

Tax credit for education donations. Provides for an adjusted gross income tax credit for donations to a public school foundation or school corporation. Provides that the maximum individual taxpayer credit is $1,000 in the case of a single return and $2,000 in the case of a joint return. Provides that the maximum corporate taxpayer credit is the greater of 10% of the corporation's total adjusted gross income tax liability or $10,000.

Elimination of annual adjustments of assessed values. Eliminates the annual adjustments (or "trending") to assessed values of certain real property for assessment dates beginning after December 31, 2019. Retains the provisions in current law that require four year cyclical reassessments. Allows a reassessment plan for the four year cyclical reassessments to include trending factors in the plan. Does not eliminate the annual adjustment for agricultural land. Makes conforming changes. Makes technical corrections.

Sheriff reimbursement rate. Provides that the per diem rate paid from the county jail maintenance contingency fund or any other fund after June 30, 2019, and before July 1, 2021, may not be less than $55 per day for persons convicted of felonies, including: (1) persons convicted of a Level 6 felony; and (2) convicted felons who are incarcerated for more than five days after the day of sentencing or the date upon which the department of correction receives the abstract of judgment and sentencing order, whichever occurs later.

Health facility certificate of need. Requires the office of the secretary of family and social services to cooperate with the state department of health (state department) in the provision of certain health facility information. Amends the expiration of statutes placing certain limitations on the licensure of comprehensive care health facilities and the licensure of comprehensive care beds to the date upon which certain administrative rules take effect. Establishes a comprehensive care health facility certificate of need program administered by the state department. Sets forth certificate of need application requirements and exemptions. Urges the interim study of whether unused or underused

Mental health access. Requires the office of Medicaid policy and planning to implement a centralized credentials verification organization and credentialing process. Allows the division of mental health and addiction (division) to grant approval for nine additional opioid treatment programs that: (1) are operated by a hospital; and (2) meet other specified requirements; if the division determines that there is a need for the program in the proposed location. Provides that mental health and addiction forensic treatment services may be administered or coordinated only by a provider certified by the division or licensed by the Indiana professional licensing agency to provide

Education matters. Urges the legislative council during the 2018 through 2020 interims to assign to the education interim study committee the task of studying issues relating to a school corporation's ability to provide adequate career counseling to students. Requires the state board of education (state board) to establish one standard Indiana diploma for individuals who successfully complete high school graduation requirements. (Current law establishes four different diplomas.) Provides that each Indiana diploma must include one of the following designations: (1) General designation. (2) Core 40 designation. (3) Core 40 with academic honors designation. (4) Core 40 with technical honors designation.

Transportation finance. Repeals the motor carrier surcharge tax and increases the special fuel tax by $0.21 per gallon. Distributes part of the special fuel tax revenue to the motor carrier regulation fund. Specifies how netted International Fuel Tax Agreement Clearinghouse refunds and receipts are deposited or credited. Specifies that the commercial vehicle excise tax rate calculation that must be done on or before October 1 of each year is effective on January 1 of the following year. Excludes the transportation infrastructure improvement fee and the supplemental fees for registering electric and hybrid vehicles from the calculation of the commercial vehicle

Veterans pilot program. Extends to 2020 the program that provides assistance for certain providers to provide diagnostic testing and hyperbaric oxygen treatment to veterans. (Under current law, the program expires June 30, 2019.) Allows the state department of health to select and approve up to five providers to provide diagnostic testing and hyperbaric oxygen treatment to veterans receiving treatment under the pilot program. (Under current law, only one provider may be selected and approved.) Requires providers to perform services at cost out of the grant amount awarded to the provider. Removes the restriction on when a veteran's injury occurred in

Judges and magistrates. Allows the judges of the Jefferson County circuit and superior courts to jointly appoint a magistrate to serve the Jefferson County courts. Adds a fourth judge to the superior court of Kosciusko County. Allows the judges of the Putnam circuit and superior courts to jointly appoint a magistrate to serve the Putnam County courts. Allows the judges of the Scott County circuit and superior courts to jointly appoint a magistrate to serve the Scott County courts.

Resident tuition for serving on the USS Indiana. Provides that, after June 30, 2019, certain persons who serve or served on the USS Indiana (SSN-789) are eligible for the resident tuition rate determined by the state educational institution.

School corporation financial management. Permits money in a school corporation's operations fund at the end of a year to be transferred to the school corporation's rainy day fund. Combines various levies into a single operations fund levy beginning in 2019. Changes provisions concerning the education fund and operations fund. Specifies the items to be included in a school corporation's capital projects plan. Changes the reasons for which a school corporation may appeal to increase the school corporation's operations fund levy for transportation purposes. Requires an appeal to increase or a petition to adjust the maximum operations fund levy for a

Pension supplemental allowance reserve accounts. Establishes supplemental allowance reserve accounts (reserve accounts) within the legislators' defined benefit plan, the state excise police, gaming agent, gaming control officer, and conservation enforcement officers' retirement plan (EGC), the public employees' retirement fund (PERF), and the pre-1996 and 1996 accounts of the Indiana state teachers' retirement fund (TRF) for the purpose of paying postretirement benefit increases, thirteenth checks, and other benefit changes or adjustments granted by the general assembly after June 30, 2018. Requires that, after June 30, 2018, the state lottery commission (commission) transfer each quarter $7,500,000 of the surplus revenue from the

Riverboat admissions and supplemental wagering tax distributions. Provides that the Dearborn County council may vote to direct the county auditor to distribute 25% of the admissions and supplemental wagering taxes that are distributed to Dearborn County to cities and towns in the county where a riverboat is not located. Provides for the taxes to be distributed using a ratio. Sets forth how a city or town in Dearborn County may use the admissions and supplemental wagering taxes that are distributed.

School corporation financial management. Allows the distressed unit appeal board (DUAB) to delegate board authority, duties, and responsibilities to the executive director by resolution of the board. Allows the DUAB to adopt rules. Requires the attorney general to represent a member of the fiscal management board, an emergency manager, a chief financial officer, or a chief academic officer if the individual requests the representation. Specifies restrictions on school corporations that are designated distressed. Specifies that waivers regarding the allocation of protected taxes apply only to distressed school corporations and not other distressed units. Provides that, for a period of two

Broadening criminal justice treatment options. Makes various changes to the criminal justice institute's annual report on the impact of criminal code reform on local units of government, the department of correction, and the office of judicial administration. Requires the report to be prepared in conjunction with the justice reinvestment advisory council (council). Adds probation departments, pretrial diversion programs, and jail treatment programs to programs that are eligible to apply for a state grant for community corrections. Replaces the Indiana judicial center with the office of judicial administration for purposes of: (1) submitting the community supervision collaboration plan; (2) approval of

Diabetes reporting. Requires the state department of health (state department) to collaborate with the office of the secretary of family and social services and develop a strategic plan to identify and significantly reduce the prevalence of diabetes and prediabetes. Requires the state department to establish workgroups to assist with development of the strategic plan. Requires the state department to submit the strategic plan to the governor and the general assembly and to update the strategic plan every two years until July 1, 2026. (The introduced version of this bill was prepared by the interim study committee on public health, behavioral

K-12 funding. Requires the budget agency to transfer from the K-12 state tuition reserve account to the state general fund the amount necessary to cover the K-12 state tuition distribution amount if it exceeds the appropriated amount. Limits the transfer to $25,000,000 in state fiscal year 2017-2018 and $75,000,000 for state fiscal year 2018-2019. Requires school corporations to report information about virtual education programs to the department of education.

Handgun licenses. Increases the duration of a four year handgun license to five years. Provides that an individual may simultaneously hold both a five year license and a lifetime license. Requires a law enforcement officer to whom an application for a handgun license is made to perform a national, fingerprint based criminal history check and consult available local, state, and federal criminal history data banks, including the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS), when determining whether possession of a firearm by an applicant would be a violation of state or federal law. Removes the fees for lifetime licenses beginning

Spay-neuter grant program. Provides for the state board of animal health (board) to administer forfeited deposits held by animal care facilities for spay-neuter procedures. (Current law provides for the bureau of motor vehicles to administer the forfeited deposits.) Establishes the spay-neuter grant program and the spay-neuter fund. Provides that the board administers the grant program and the fund.

Survivor health coverage. Provides that, if the employer of a public safety officer who dies in the line of duty after June 30, 2018, offers health coverage for active employees, the employer shall offer to provide and pay for health coverage under the plan covering active employees for the surviving spouse and each natural child, stepchild, and adopted child of the public safety officer. Provides that health coverage for a surviving child continues: (1) until the child becomes 18 years of age; (2) until the child becomes 23 years of age, under certain circumstances; or (3) during the entire period

Real world career readiness program. Establishes the real world career readiness program (program). Provides that the state board of education (state board) shall establish the program to provide a real world career readiness student with career and technical education credentials necessary to transition from school to the workforce. Provides that the state board, in consultation with the department of workforce development, may create an authorized program, or approve high or moderate value career and technical education programs administered by one or more school corporations or charter schools. Provides that a real world career readiness student may attend an authorized program

School choice scholarships. Provides that, if an eligible choice scholarship student (student) leaves an eligible school during the school year and transfers during the same school year to a different eligible school that has a choice scholarship available for that eligible school, the student may use the amount remaining of the choice scholarship awarded to the student for that school year to pay the tuition at the eligible school to which the student has transferred for the remainder of the school year. Provides that the student may not use the amounts if the student has previously transferred eligible schools during

Individual development accounts. For purposes of the statute concerning individual development accounts (accounts), provides that, in addition to a community development corporation (as provided under current law), a municipality may administer accounts under the statute. Makes conforming changes throughout the statute and in the Indiana Code provisions establishing the individual development account tax credit. Provides that a municipality that administers accounts may, in determining an individual's order of placement on a waiting list maintained by the municipality to allow qualified individuals to establish accounts, give preference to qualified individuals who reside in or near the municipality over qualified individuals who

Witness protection pilot program. Authorizes the establishment of a three-year witness protection pilot program in Marion County and in Vanderburgh County to provide protection for victims of and witnesses to crime. Appropriates $200,000 in each of three fiscal years to the Indiana criminal justice institute to fund the pilot programs.

Elimination of annual adjustments of assessed values. Eliminates the annual adjustments (or "trending") to assessed values of certain real property for assessment dates beginning after December 31, 2018. Does not eliminate trending for agricultural land. Retains the provisions in current law that require four year cyclical reassessments. Makes conforming changes. Makes technical corrections.

School City of East Chicago loan. Transfers, not later than July 1, 2018, to the school disaster loan fund from the state general fund an amount sufficient to pay off the loan that was made to the School City of East Chicago school corporation from the school disaster loan fund.

Mental health matters. Requires the secretary of family and social services to provide that residences for residential care and supported housing for chronic addiction that receive reimbursement when used as a recovery residence to be certified and meet standards determined by the division of mental health addiction through administrative rules. Adds, subject to the approval of the Indiana commission to combat drug abuse (commission), an individual who is: (1) less than 18 years of age; and (2) a defendant whose case is either waived from juvenile court to adult court or directly filed in adult court; to the individuals who

Child in need of services. Removes a rebuttable presumption that a child is a child in need of services if a child is born with: (1) fetal alcohol syndrome; (2) neonatal abstinence syndrome; or (3) any amount of a controlled substance or legend drug in the child's body; and there is evidence that a child's mother used a controlled substance or legend drug during pregnancy.

Career and technical education. Requires the state board of education to use data from the department of workforce development (DWD) in developing and implementing certain plans, recommendations, and other matters relating to career and technical education. Requires the department of education (department) to implement a pilot program for instruction in and use of the Indiana career explorer program and curriculum by all students in grade 8 attending the schools in 15 schools. Provides that the pilot program expires July 1, 2018, unless the department determines the pilot program shall be extended until July 1, 2019. Provides that beginning on July

Distressed and fiscally impaired political subdivisions. Changes the membership of the distressed unit appeal board (DUAB) by replacing the voting member who is appointed by the chairperson of the legislative council with a member appointed by the governor and adding three nonvoting legislative members. Adds to and modifies the duties and powers of the DUAB. Designates the Gary Community School Corporation as a distressed political subdivision. Specifies the powers and duties of the emergency manager appointed for the Gary Community School Corporation. Establishes the fiscal management board for the Gary Community School Corporation, and provides that the fiscal management board

State biennial budget. Appropriates money for capital expenditures, the operation of the state, K-12 and higher education, the delivery of Medicaid and other services, and various other distributions and purposes. Provides for bonding authority for capital projects for higher education institutions. Terminates the legislative evaluation and oversight program. Replaces the statutory appropriation from the counter cyclical and revenue stabilization fund to the state general fund based on the budget report with a limited discretionary transfer determined by the budget director and approved by the governor. Requires the attorney general to include certain language concerning settlement funds in proposed court order

Prekindergarten education. Provides that, after June 30, 2017, the early education grant pilot program (prekindergarten pilot program) includes: (1) eligible providers in an additional 15 counties; and (2) eligible providers that received a grant under the early education matching grant program and meet certain conditions. Changes references to the "pilot program" to the "prekindergarten pilot program". Adds additional requirements for an eligible provider to participate in the prekindergarten pilot program. Adds additional requirements for an eligible child to qualify for or receive a grant under the prekindergarten pilot program. Amends income eligibility requirements for eligible children in counties that meet

School debt service obligations. Provides the following for purposes of the school bond payment intercept statute: (1) The term "debt service obligations" also includes principal and interest payable to a school corporation's designated paying agent under a written agreement entered into in connection with the issuance of a school corporation's general obligation bonds. (2) Upon being notified of a school corporation's failure to pay debt service obligations when due, the treasurer of state shall within five days pay the unpaid debt service obligations that are due from state funds, in an amount equal to the amount of the unpaid debt

Substance abuse pilot program. Provides that Allen County may enter into an agreement with an entity to administer a substance abuse pilot program after approval of the Indiana commission to combat drug abuse (commission). Specifies that the entity that agrees to administer the pilot program: (1) may not expend state grants unless the administrator has raised at least $1 of local funds for every $1 of state funds before July 1, 2018; and (2) may not expend money granted to the administrator for the pilot program for a state fiscal year unless the administrator expends at least $1 of local

IN211 program. Transfers from the utility regulatory commission (IURC) to the housing and community development authority (authority) the responsibility for administering the statute concerning the administration of the 211 dialing code used to provide access to human services information and referrals. For purposes of the statute, expands the definition of "human services" to include assistance concerning: (1) emotional and physical abuse (including sexual assault); (2) specified public health issues; (3) food programs and nutrition education; (4) safe and affordable housing; (5) occupational and vocational training; and (6) reentry programs for persons leaving certain facilities. Caps the amount that the authority

County magistrates. Allows the Clark County circuit court to appoint four full-time magistrates. Allows the Shelby County circuit and superior courts to appoint a full-time magistrate. Allows the Marion County superior courts to appoint 20 full-time magistrates after December 31, 2017, not more than ten of whom may be from the same political party.

Post-exposure prophylaxis reimbursement. Changes the definition of "additional forensic services" to include HIV prophylactic medication, and removes discretionary reimbursement for the service.

Crisis intervention teams. Provides that in conjunction with the Indiana commission (commission) to combat drug abuse and the division of mental health and addiction, the law enforcement training board may establish the technical assistance center. Provides that the commission may make grants to the law enforcement training board to carry out the purposes of the technical assistance center. Transfers the administration of the technical assistance center for crisis intervention teams from the Indiana criminal justice institute to the Indiana law enforcement training board. Makes a technical correction.

Education course access program. Allows the department of education (department) to authorize course providers to offer course access program courses that provide for the delivery of instruction through any method, including online technologies, in the course access program (program). Requires the department to: (1) oversee the program; (2) approve courses offered in the program; and (3) maintain a course access program catalog. Requires the department to negotiate a tuition fee for each offered course. Requires the school corporation in which an eligible student is enrolled to transfer the tuition fee for a course to the authorized course provider. Defines "eligible

Prosecuting attorneys retirement fund. Provides that the pension received by a participant in the prosecuting attorneys retirement fund (PARF) upon retirement from PARF is reduced by: (1) the actual amount of the pension the participant is receiving from the public employees' retirement fund (PERF), if the participant is receiving a pension from PERF when the participant retires from PARF; or (2) if the participant is not receiving a pension from PERF when the participant retires from PARF, the amount of the pension that the participant would be entitled to receive from PERF, if the participant were also retiring from PERF

Workforce development. Requires the state board of education to use data from the department of workforce development (DWD) in developing and implementing certain plans, recommendations, and other matters relating to career and technical education. Requires the department of education (department) to implement a pilot program for instruction in and the use of the Indiana career explorer program and curriculum by all students in grade 8 attending schools in 15 school corporations. Provides that the pilot program expires July 1, 2018, unless the department determines the pilot program shall be extended until July 1, 2019. Provides that beginning on July 1,

Prekindergarten education. Provides that, after June 30, 2017, the early education grant pilot program (pilot program) includes eligible providers in any county in Indiana. Adds additional requirements for an eligible provider to participate in the pilot program. Adds additional requirements for an eligible child to qualify for or receive a grant under the pilot program. Provides that the office of the secretary of family and social services (office) may award a grant to a potential eligible provider or existing eligible provider for an expansion plan if certain requirements are met. Requires a potential eligible provider or existing eligible provider to

Bonding for transportation projects. Provides that the Indiana finance authority (authority) may issue bonds or notes after April 30, 2017, for the construction of transportation projects. Provides that the total amount of all such bonds and notes issued by the authority after April 30, 2017, may not exceed $500,000,000. Specifies the maximum maturity of the bonds or notes. Provides that: (1) all or a part of the bonds or notes sold by the authority must first be offered to a pension fund administered by the board of trustees of the Indiana public retirement system, and the authority may sell the

Background checks for school employees. Provides that a school corporation, charter school, or nonpublic school shall require an expanded criminal history check and expanded child protection index check on each employee every five years. Provides that a school corporation, charter school, or nonpublic school may implement the requirement for updated background checks for current employees over a five year period. Provides that the employee is responsible for costs associated with obtaining the background checks unless the school corporation, charter school, or nonpublic school agrees to pay the costs. Makes an exception to the provision that an applicant or employee may

Property tax assessment. Provides, with limited exceptions, that: (1) the only factor permitted to be used in changing the assessed value of most real property from year to year is the annual adjustment factor; and (2) an assessing official may not change the real property's underlying parcel characteristics (including age, grade, or condition of the real property) until the real property has been reassessed under the county's reassessment plan, there is a change in an objective factor or feature relating to a property, or there is a need to correct an error. Provides a process that must be followed by

State disaster relief fund appropriation. Makes an appropriation to the state disaster relief fund to provide financial assistance to eligible entities affected by lead contamination in East Chicago.

Forensic treatment services grants. Adds individuals who are in the juvenile justice system as individuals who may receive mental health and addiction forensic treatment services (services). Removes the age requirement for eligibility to receive the services.

Internet crimes against children fund. Establishes the Internet crimes against children fund (fund). Appropriates $2,000,000 from the state general fund to the fund. Requires the state police department (department) to administer the fund and use money in the fund to: (1) pay for costs incurred by the department for training and purchasing equipment for the investigation of offenses that involve the use of the Internet in which a child is the alleged victim; and (2) award grants to county, city, and town law enforcement agencies that agree to use the money to investigate Internet crimes against children in accordance with

Matching grant fund for local police departments. Establishes the law enforcement emergency response equipment matching grant fund to be administered by the department of homeland security. Allows local law enforcement agencies to apply for matching grants to purchase equipment needed for emergency response situations.

Investigation of overdose deaths. Requires a coroner as part of an investigation into the death of a decedent who is at least 13 years of age, to: (1) have a drugs of abuse panel performed to detect the presence of schedule I and schedule II controlled substances; and (2) forward the test results to the state department of health. Creates an account in the state general fund, administered by the state department of health, to reimburse a coroner for the cost of performing the drugs of abuse panels. Requires the coroner's training board to provide instruction to coroners and deputy

Collective bargaining and deficit financing. Provides that, for purposes of collective bargaining, a school employer is not considered to be in a position of deficit financing if the school employer's combined general fund cash balance and rainy day fund cash balance as listed on the school employer's Form 9 on June 30 of the current calendar year exceeds 10% of the school employer's certified general fund budget for that year.

Teacher performance grants. Provides that a school corporation's annual performance grant is equal to the sum of: (1) the number of teachers employed by the school corporation who were rated as highly effective in the teacher's annual performance evaluation conducted in the preceding state fiscal year, multiplied by $750; plus (2) the number of teachers employed by the school corporation who were rated as effective in the teacher's annual performance evaluation conducted in the preceding state fiscal year, multiplied by $500.

School City of East Chicago fiscal matters. Changes, for the school years beginning after June 30, 2016, June 30, 2017, and June 30, 2018, the manner in which average daily membership is determined for the School City of East Chicago school corporation. Transfers, not later than July 15, 2017, to the school disaster loan fund from the state general fund an amount equal to the total amount to pay off the loan that was made to the School City of East Chicago school corporation in the amount of $2,805,000 from the school disaster loan fund. Appropriates to the department of

Property tax deductions. Provides that the property tax mortgage deduction applies only if: (1) the mortgage loan or installment loan is made and recorded before January 1, 2018, or the purchase contract under which the person owes the contract indebtedness is entered into before January 1, 2018, and the purchase contract or a memorandum of the contract is recorded before January 1, 2018; and (2) the statement applying for the deduction is filed for the first time on or before January 5, 2018. Increases the homestead deduction to the lesser of: (1) 65% of the assessed value of the homestead;

Income tax deduction for public school expenses. Provides that the income tax deduction for education expenses for a dependent child is allowable for expenses made in connection with attendance at a public school. (Under current law, the tax deduction applies only to expenses made in connection with a private school program.)

Property tax exemption. Allows a church that meets certain conditions and that missed the applicable deadline to claim a property tax exemption for the 2011 assessment date to file an application to claim the exemption.

Property tax assessment. Provides the following if the application of an annual adjustment factor derived by an assessing official would result in an increase of more than 10% in the assessed value of one or more homesteads for property tax purposes: (1) The assessing official shall submit certain information to the division of data analysis (division) of the department of local government finance. (2) The division shall review the information submitted and make a determination of whether the annual adjustment factor was correctly calculated or is otherwise inappropriate. (3) If the division determines that the annual adjustment factor to be

Maintenance of effort requirements for receipt of federal grants. Provides that a state agency, a state employee, or an agent acting on behalf of the state may not enter into any agreement that obligates the state to any maintenance of effort requirements, in connection with the receipt of federal grants or the entering into of a cost-sharing agreement, without the express prior consent of the general assembly that is included in a resolution adopted by the general assembly or an act enacted by the general assembly.

Elimination of annual adjustments of assessed values. Eliminates the annual adjustments (or "trending") to assessed values of real property for assessment dates beginning after December 31, 2017. Retains the provisions in current law that require four year cyclical reassessments. Makes conforming changes.

School calendar. Prohibits public schools from beginning student instructional days for the school year before the Tuesday after the first Monday in September (Labor Day), beginning with the 2019-2020 school year. Provides that a governing body may establish a beginning date before Labor Day for year-round schools, schools with balanced calendars, schools that coordinate calendars with a postsecondary educational institution, and schools that coordinate calendars with a large employer in the school corporation, following a public hearing and a majority vote of the governing body. Makes the change effective for collective bargaining agreements and contracts negotiated after June 30, 2019.

Public personnel bonds and state board of accounts. Amends the law requiring surety bonds for certain individuals having public fiscal responsibilities to: (1) define "contractor"; (2) allow for filing of the bond in the county of office or employment rather than residence; (3) set threshold amounts of public funds for which a bond is required; (4) permit the use of a schedule bond; (5) permit the use of a continuous bond; and (6) require a crime insurance policy that meets the requirement to include a faithful performance endorsement. Allows, rather than requires, the commissioner of insurance to prescribe the form

School funding. Amends the statute allowing transfers from the state tuition reserve account to the state general fund to be made during the state fiscal year beginning in 2015 and in the state fiscal year beginning in 2016 if distributions for choice scholarships cause a reduction in state tuition support. Provides that the budget agency may transfer money from the state tuition reserve account to the state general fund if the budget director, after review by the budget committee, makes a determination that the tuition support distribution for the state fiscal year has been reduced because the amount of the

Minority student teaching stipend and school capital improvements. Provides that a minority student who participates in a school administration internship as part of the student's graduate degree program is eligible to receive a stipend from, currently, the student teaching stipend for minorities. Names the student teaching stipend for minority students after Earline Rogers. Provides that with the approval of the governor and the budget agency, the amount appropriated in the 2015 budget bill for the distressed unit appeals board (DUAB) for the 2015-2017 biennium, may be augmented from unexpended appropriations to the department of education in an amount specified by

Teacher scholarships and stipends. Changes the name of the minority teacher scholarship to the William A. Crawford minority teacher scholarship. Provides that if the total of all scholarships awarded exceeds the amount available for distribution in a state fiscal year, the amount to be distributed to each applicant shall be proportionately reduced. Repeals: (1) a provision providing that if a student demonstrates financial need to the commission for higher education, the student may qualify for a $4,000 annual scholarship; (2) a provision providing that the amount of a scholarship may not be reduced because the student receives other scholarships or

President Benjamin Harrison conservation trust. Renames the Indiana heritage trust fund as the President Benjamin Harrison conservation trust fund (trust fund). Makes various changes to the purposes of the trust fund. Makes changes to the uses of the accounts within the trust fund. Repeals the Indiana heritage trust committee. Specifies the membership and purposes of the President Benjamin Harrison conservation trust project committee (project committee). Provides for the appointment of four members of the general assembly as nonvoting members of the project committee. Adds the chairperson of the board of directors of the natural resources foundation to the project committee.

School funding and annual performance grants. Extends through 2018 the eligibility of school corporations to allocate circuit breaker credits proportionately. Provides, with some exceptions, that if: (1) a school corporation in 2017 or 2018 issues new bonds or enters into a new lease rental agreement for which the school corporation is imposing or will impose a debt service levy; and (2) the school corporation's total debt service levy in 2017 or 2018 is greater than the school corporation's debt service levy in 2016; the school corporation is not eligible to allocate circuit breaker credits proportionally. Extends the date to January

Next generation Hoosier educators scholarship. Requires the commission for higher education (commission) to prepare a report concerning scholarship programs and other incentives for high achieving students who intend to enter the teaching profession in Indiana upon graduation. Provides that the commission must provide a copy of the report to the budget agency and legislative council before December 1, 2016. Establishes the next generation Hoosier educators scholarship program. Provides that the commission may approve awarding a scholarship to an eligible applicant in an amount of $7,500 each academic year for not more than four academic years. Establishes criteria an applicant must

Underground petroleum storage tanks. Provides for the underground petroleum storage tank excess liability trust fund to be referred to as the "ELTF". Eliminates a provision stating that fees and penalties paid in connection with underground petroleum storage tanks are a source of funds for the ELTF. (Under IC 13-23-6-2 and IC 13-23-12-4, those fees and penalties are deposited in the underground petroleum storage tank trust fund, not in the ELTF.) Repeals IC 13-23-7-9, a provision under which knowingly or intentionally making a material misstatement in connection with an application for financial assistance from the ELTF is a Level 6 felony.

Magistrates. Allows the judge of the Marion circuit court to appoint one full-time magistrate to serve the circuit court. Extends the term of the magistrate jointly appointed by the judge of the Sullivan circuit court and the judge of the Sullivan superior court from July 1, 2016, to January 1, 2017.

Various education matters. Provides that the department of education (department) shall make random visits to at least 5% of schools that are eligible to receive choice scholarships during a particular school year. (Current law provides that the department shall make random visits to at least 5% of eligible schools and charter schools.) Specifies that if a choice scholarship student changes schools during the school year after the December 1 count of special education pupils, any choice scholarship amounts paid to the choice scholarship student for the remainder of the school year after the choice scholarship student enrolls in a different

Supplemental distributions of local income tax. Requires the budget agency, before May 1, 2016, to make supplemental distributions from a county's adjusted gross income tax trust account, county option income tax trust account, or county economic development income tax trust account equal to: (1) the amount of the balance in the county trust account on December 31, 2014, as determined by the budget agency; minus (2) any supplemental distribution made under current law to the county in January 2016. Provides that the office of management and budget (OMB) and the department of local government finance (DLGF) shall determine the allocation

Allocation of circuit breaker credits by schools. Extends for three additional years the statute allowing a school corporation to allocate circuit breaker credits proportionately under certain circumstances (without taking protected taxes into account). Provides that during these three additional years, a school corporation may allocate circuit breaker credits proportionately, without taking protected taxes into account, if the amount of circuit breaker credits against the school corporation's transportation fund levy is greater than 20% (rather than 10%, under current law) of the school corporation's transportation fund levy.

Property tax exemption for affordable housing. Establishes standards for affordable rental housing property to be exempt from property taxation when the property does not otherwise qualify for a property tax exemption. Specifies that the exemption applies to properties owned by a 501(c)(3) organization (or a disregarded entity of such an organization) that are 100% occupied by residents who qualify as low income.

Food stamp assistance after drug conviction. Allows certain individuals who were convicted of a drug offense but: (1) have been released from any incarceration at least five years before applying for food stamps; and (2) have not been convicted of any additional offenses in the five years since release from incarceration; to receive food stamps. Permits individuals who have had a conviction in the past five years but who: (1) do not commit any violation of the terms of a probation, parole, or community corrections program; and (2) do not test positive for drugs or alcohol; to be eligible to

Removal of asset limits for SNAP. Requires the division of family resources to: (1) implement within the federal Supplemental Nutritional Assistance program (SNAP) an expanded eligibility category, that does not consider an individual's value of assets in determining SNAP eligibility; and (2) notify the United States Department of Agriculture of the implementation of expanded categorical eligibility under SNAP.

Property tax assessment. Provides, with limited exceptions, that: (1) the only factor permitted to be used in changing the assessed value of most real property from year to year is the annual adjustment factor; and (2) an assessing official may not change the real property's underlying parcel characteristics (including age, grade, or condition of the real property) until the real property has been reassessed under the county's reassessment plan, there is a change in an objective factor or feature relating to a property, or there is a need to correct an error. Provides a process that must be followed by

Tax increment financing districts. Provides that if a redevelopment commission outside Marion County wishes to establish a tax increment financing (TIF) area after December 31, 2016, a taxing unit that is located wholly or partly within a proposed TIF area may elect whether to participate in the TIF area. If a taxing unit elects to participate in a proposed TIF area, the taxing unit is bound by the terms of the TIF area until the TIF area expires.

Property tax benefits for veterans. Specifies that a county fiscal body may adopt an ordinance to authorize a total or partial property tax exemption for any of the following: (1) A homestead in the county that is owned by: (A) an individual (or surviving spouse of an individual) who served in the armed forces of the United States or in the national guard and was killed in action or died while on active duty; or (B) an individual who is receiving dependency indemnity compensation. (2) A homestead in the county that is owned by a disabled veteran, if the homestead

Resident tuition rate at state educational institutions. Provides that an individual, except for certain nonimmigrants, who: (1) attends a high school in Indiana for at least three years; (2) registers as an entering student at or enrolls in a state educational institution not earlier than the fall semester (or its equivalent, as determined by the state educational institution) of the 2015-2016 academic year; and (3) graduates from a high school located in Indiana or receives the equivalent of a high school diploma in Indiana; is eligible for the resident tuition rate beginning in the fall semester of the 2016-2017 academic

Property tax assessments. Provides that, if the assessed value of real property is reduced as a result of a property tax appeal, the subsequent assessed value of the real property may not be increased by more than 5% per year for the next four years after the assessment date in which the reduction was applied. Specifies that the 5% limitation does not apply to any part of a change in an assessment: (1) that is directly applicable to any change in an objective factor or feature relating to the property, including an improvement or enlargement of the property; or (2)

Protected taxes and school corporations. Specifies that a school corporation may determine the allocation among its funds of property tax reductions resulting from the granting of property tax circuit breaker credits.

Education deregulation. Makes comprehensive revisions to the Indiana Code relating to all aspects of the administration of schools and school corporations and the education of students from pre-kindergarten through grade 12. Repeals various obsolete provisions and provisions that limit local control of schools. Establishes a school reporting oversight committee to review all reporting requirements by the state for schools. Makes conforming and technical amendments.

Various gaming matters. Specifies the process for entering into tribal-state compacts concerning Indian gaming. Authorizes riverboats to move inland to adjacent properties meeting certain requirements. Makes the promotional play deduction for riverboats and racinos permanent. Caps the number of gambling games offered by a licensed owner or an operating agent at the greatest number of gambling games offered since January 1, 2007, regardless of whether the licensed owner relocates gaming operations to an inland casino. Authorizes table games at the racinos beginning in 2021 if approved by the Indiana gaming commission. Provides for the use of AGR attributable to table

Innovation network schools. Provides for innovation network school programs in school corporations. Establishes the career pathways pilot program. Establishes the innovation network school pilot grant. Repeals the article relating to the establishment of innovation network schools by the Indianapolis Public Schools.

Various education matters. Allows grants from the safe schools fund to provide school wide programs to improve school climate and professional development and training in alternatives to suspension and expulsion and evidence based practices that contribute to a positive school environment. Provides that a consolidated school corporation shall offer to transfer property to the township from which the consolidated school corporation received the property for any purpose if the property is no longer needed by the school corporation. (Current law requires the transferred property to be used for park and recreation purposes.) Allows the township to sell or lease the

Higher education financial assistance. Removes Indiana residency requirements for scholarships under the National Guard tuition supplement program and the National Guard scholarship extension program. Requires applicants for the National Guard tuition supplement program and the National Guard scholarship extension program to have used any available state or federal assistance, if applicable. Establishes cumulative grade point average requirements for the renewal of scholarships under the National Guard tuition supplement program. Provides that an applicant is eligible for a first year higher education award if the applicant is ineligible for a National Guard tuition supplement grant or a scholarship under the National

Scholarships and grants. Provides that at the end of each state fiscal year, the commission for higher education (commission) may order the auditor of state to transfer money among certain funds if the commission determines that the remaining appropriation in a particular fund could be used by eligible applicants for an award under one of the other funds in the following state fiscal year. Provides that the auditor of state shall make a transfer ordered by the commission. Provides that a student who applies for a twenty-first century scholars program tuition scholarship must certify in writing that the student complied

Various pension matters. Provides that an employer that is eligible but not required to participate in the public employees' retirement fund (PERF) must pay the employer's share of the unfunded liability attributable to the employer's current and former employees if the employer withdraws from PERF or otherwise phases out its participation in PERF. Establishes a procedure by which a political subdivision may participate in the defined contribution only plan (the plan) and choose whether the political subdivision's employees participate in PERF, the plan, or may elect whether to participate in PERF or the plan. Provides that an ordinance or resolution

Criminal justice funding. Establishes the justice reinvestment advisory council (advisory council) to review and evaluate local corrections programs, grant applications, and the processes used to award grants. Requires the department to compile certain information and submit reports to the budget committee and advisory council. Specifies the purposes for which the department may award financial aid. Repeals the county corrections fund that provides funding to each county for operation of the county's jail, jail programs, or other local correctional facilities or community based programs. Requires a probation officer to consult with community corrections concerning programs available to the defendant in preparing

Reemployment services for unemployment recipients. Provides that certain individuals who have been determined by the department of workforce development to need reemployment services may be required to participate in certain additional services provided by the department of workforce development.

Medical residency education. Establishes the medical residency education fund for the purpose of expanding medical education in Indiana by funding new residency program slots at licensed hospitals. Specifies uses of money from the medical residency education fund and the graduate medical education fund. Establishes the graduate medical education board (board) in order to: (1) provide funding for residents not funded by the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services; (2) provide technical assistance for entities that wish to establish a residency program; (3) fund infrastructure costs for an expansion of graduate medical education; and (4) provide startup funding for entities

Safety PIN grant program. Establishes the safety PIN (protecting Indiana's newborns) grant program for the purpose of reducing Indiana's infant mortality rates. Establishes the safety PIN (protecting Indiana's newborns) grant fund. Requires the state department of health to administer the grant program. Sets forth requirements for grant proposals, and sets forth subject matters that will receive preference in awarding the grants.

Fire and emergency response issues. Creates the intrastate mutual aid compact to complement existing mutual aid agreements. Allows the Indiana department of homeland security (IDHS) to deploy a national urban search and rescue response system task force as a state resource during Indiana emergencies and disasters, in conformance with federal requirements, through an agreement with a political subdivision that is a sponsoring agency of a task force. Repeals the interstate emergency management and disaster compact. Repeals the local emergency planning and right to know fund administered by the department of state revenue. Moves the statute concerning the local emergency planning

211 dialing code for human services information. Amends the statute concerning the telephone 211 dialing code for human services information to add assistance concerning: (1) domestic violence; (2) infant mortality; (3) veterans; (4) senior citizens; (5) vulnerable children; and (6) public health; to the enumerated services included within the term "human services". Requires the utility regulatory commission (IURC) to consult with the board of directors of Indiana 211 Partnership, Inc., in preparing the required annual plan for the expenditure of the money in the 211 services account (account). Provides that the plan must include a strategy or plan to address

South Shore line extension. Creates a program to provide state matching grants to the northwest Indiana regional development authority (RDA) for projects extending the Chicago, South Shore, and South Bend Railway (Railway). Requires the RDA to make certain commitments in order to receive a grant. Requires a return on investment analysis. Requires review of grant applications by the budget committee and approval by the budget agency. Establishes the South Shore line transit oriented development fund (fund). Provides that the RDA administers the fund. Provides that a political subdivision that contributes county economic development income tax revenue received by the political

Crime fighting pilot project. Establishes a crime fighting pilot project in Marion County, Lake County, and Allen County.

Eligibility for child care voucher. Provides that beginning October 1, 2015, a child who is otherwise eligible for participation in the federal Child Care and Development Fund voucher program may continue to participate unless the child's family income exceeds the greater of 250% of the federal income poverty level or 85% of the state median income for the same size family.

Attorney and judicial discipline complaints. Permits a prosecuting attorney and a county public defender (including a contract public defender) to seek reimbursement from the state for reasonable attorney's fees incurred in defending against a charge of attorney misconduct if: (1) the alleged misconduct relates to the person's official duties or status as a prosecuting attorney or public defender; (2) the charge of misconduct does not result in a sanction (except for a private reprimand); and (3) the attorney general approves the reimbursement.

Methamphetamine. Defines "drug related felony" and requires courts to report drug related felonies to the state police department. Requires the state police department to report drug related felonies to NPLEx so that NPLEx can generate a stop sale alert to prevent individuals with drug related felonies from purchasing ephedrine or pseudoephedrine. Provides that the offense of possession of a precursor by a methamphetamine offender (which prohibits the possession of pseudoephedrine or ephedrine without a prescription by persons convicted of certain offenses) applies to a person who has been convicted of a drug related felony.

County option property tax replacement fee. Permits a county council or county income tax council to establish an annual property tax replacement fee on any parcel receiving assessed value deductions or property tax credits (except for a parcel receiving a deduction or credit based on an individual's age, military or veteran's status, or a disability, including a spouse who is eligible for the deduction or credit) that reduce the annual property tax liability on the parcel to less than $200. Provides that the minimum annual amount due in property taxes plus the property tax replacement fee must be set by

Work ethic certification and grants. Provides that a school corporation may establish a work ethic certification program under which a student who develops skills necessary for success in higher education or employment receives a work ethic certificate upon graduation. Provides that the state board of education, in consultation with the workforce innovation council, may adopt rules to: (1) establish model criteria for a work ethic certification program; and (2) develop a standard work ethic certificate.

Civics test as graduation requirement. Provides that, beginning with the 2016-2017 school year, an individual must obtain a satisfactory score on the United States Civics Test, administered by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services to each applicant for United States citizenship, before: (1) graduating from a public high school or an accredited nonpublic high school that participates in the choice scholarship program; or (2) obtaining a high school equivalency certificate.

Primary care physician loan forgiveness program. Provides that a primary care physician who is eligible for student loan forgiveness under the primary care physician loan forgiveness program may have student loans forgiven up to an amount of $25,000 each year the primary care physician's practice provides service primarily in a rural area.

Alternative schools. Makes changes to the requirements as to what information must be reported on a school corporation's annual performance report. Provides that when a student is expelled from school, the department of education shall deposit the remaining state tuition support for the expelled student into the alternative education fund to be used to provide grants to alternative education programs. Establishes the alternative education fund. Provides that if a student who was enrolled in a public school on the date of the fall count of ADM is not enrolled in the school on the spring count of ADM because the

Various veterans' matters. Creates the servicemembers civil relief act. Provides that protections under Indiana's civil relief act supplement protections for servicemembers under the federal servicemembers civil relief act. Sets forth duties for the Indiana national guard regarding information to be posted on its web site concerning the servicemembers civil relief act. Provides free admission for veterans to state parks, playgrounds, and historical sites held or managed by the department of natural resources (department). Provides for a 25% reduction for veterans of any fees charged for facilities, lodging, and recreational activities held or managed by the department or by a third

Developmental disability pilot program. Requires the division of disability and rehabilitative services (division) to implement a pilot program for the training and implementation of a single point of entry system for individuals who are dually diagnosed with a developmental disability and a mental health condition. Sets forth requirements for the pilot program. Establishes an advisory board to analyze data collected throughout the implementation of the pilot program. Specifies the data to be collected concerning the pilot program. Requires the division to report, before November 1, 2017, to the general assembly concerning the pilot program.

Various veterans matters. Provides that after December 31, 2015, the assessed value of an individual's tangible property may not be considered when determining whether the individual is eligible for the property tax deduction for: (1) totally disabled veterans; or (2) veterans who are at least 62 years of age and have a disability of at least 10%. Changes the amount of the veteran's credit against the annual motor vehicle excise tax from $70 per vehicle to 2% of the amount of the property tax deduction that the veteran would qualify for if the veteran owned tangible property. Provides that after

Visually impaired preschool services. Requires the division of disability and rehabilitative services to contract with an entity to provide vision assessments and early intervention services to infants and toddlers with disabilities who are in need of vision services. Makes an annual appropriation.

Psychiatric crisis intervention. Changes the date by which the office of the secretary of family and social services must provide a report concerning comprehensive psychiatric crisis intervention services. Requires the division of mental health and addiction to establish a psychiatric crisis intervention pilot program. Makes an appropriation.

Reading assessments. Requires, after June 30, 2016, that the state superintendent of public instruction's reading deficiency remediation plan (IREAD) provide a reading evaluation for students by grade 2. Provides that a student who requires remediation after the student is evaluated in grade 2 must receive remedial action and be reevaluated in grade 3. Provides that if the student remains below standard after receiving remedial action and being reevaluated in grade 3, the student, after other methods of remediation have been evaluated or used, or both, must be retained as a last resort. Asks the legislative council to assign to the

Donations to educational foundations. Reenacts a provision (which expired in 2012) that authorizes a school corporation to donate up to $25,000 per year from any fund of the school corporation from which the donation may be legally made to a public school endowment corporation or nonprofit charitable community foundation if the donation is matched by a private donor. Specifies that the principal and income from the donation shall be distributed only to the school corporation as directed by resolution of the governing body of the school corporation, and that the school corporation may use the distributions for supplies, services, or

Education funding. Increases the amounts used in determining performance grant awards. Appropriates $20,000,000 each state fiscal year of the biennium for performance grant awards that is in addition to the appropriation made by the budget act. Provides a complexity grant minimum guarantee based on a floor of $450 per average daily membership (ADM). Appropriates $10,700,000 each state fiscal year to fund the minimum guarantee complexity grant.

Local government finance. Appropriates $100,000,000 in 2016 and each year thereafter from the state general fund to be used to reduce school corporation transportation fund levies. Authorizes counties, cities, and towns to impose a separate property tax levy for an infrastructure fund. Provides that the maximum permissible levy for an infrastructure property tax levy is based on the amount of the reduction in school transportation fund levies. Specifies the infrastructure purposes for which money in an infrastructure fund may be used (after appropriation by the unit's fiscal body). Appropriates $200,000,000 in 2016 and each year thereafter from the state general

Use of state general fund investment earnings. Provides that beginning after the 2016 state fiscal year, the investment earnings on the state general fund for the preceding state fiscal year shall be distributed to counties if the combined balances of the state general fund, the Medicaid contingency and reserve account, the state tuition reserve fund, and the state rainy day fund exceed $1,000,000,000. Specifies that the investment earnings are distributed to counties proportionately based on population. Provides that a distribution received by a county may be used, after appropriation by the county fiscal body, only for purposes related to health,

School corporation financial management. Establishes the financially distressed school corporation appeals board to evaluate and authorize emergency relief to school corporations that the board determines are unable to carry out their public education responsibilities. Establishes the distressed school fund. Permits a loan or advance from the counter-cyclical revenue and economic stabilization fund, the distressed school fund, or the common school fund to a distressed school corporation.

Distribution of taxes based on tax levies. Provides that after 2015 if a distribution of excise taxes or local option income taxes to a taxing unit is based on the amount of a taxing unit's property tax levy, the calculation of the distribution is to be based on the amount of the taxing unit's property tax levy after subtracting any circuit breaker property tax credits that are provided to taxpayers of the taxing unit for property located in the taxing unit.

Supplemental county levy; Lake County. Provides that the supplemental county property tax levy in Lake County that is distributed to school corporations in Lake County expires on July 1, 2018. Provides that a school corporation that receives a share of the supplemental county property tax levy in Lake County may not use the money for debt service or to pay for a capital project.

Availability of funds to recycling board. Provides that the Indiana recycling market development board (board) may make a loan or a grant from the recycling promotion and assistance fund (fund) without the approval of the governor and the budget agency if: (1) the board provides notice in writing to the governor and the budget agency of the board's intention to make the loan or grant; and (2) the governor and the budget agency do not inform the board in writing of their disapproval of the proposed loan or grant within 60 days after being provided notice of the proposed loan

School corporation capital projects funds. Provides that money in a school corporation's capital projects fund may be used to pay for the purchase, lease, maintenance, or repair of maintenance vehicles. Provides permanent authority for a school corporation to use money in its capital projects fund to pay the costs of insurance and utilities. (Under current law, this authority extends only through 2015.)

Legislative business per diems. Provides a greater legislative business per diem amount for legislators who reside more than 50 miles from the state capitol building.

Transportation funding.

EMS state medical director.

Reconciles technical and substantive conflicts between HEA 1006-2013 (the criminal code revision bill) and other bills concerning criminal law.

Various tax matters.

Property tax exemptions.

Local government finance.

Business financing arrangements.

Assessment of real property.

Soil productivity factors.

Tax issues.

Charter school funding.

Welfare matters; drug testing.

Emergency notification systems.

Taxation of civil service annuities.

Indexing family tax exemptions.

Civil War battle flags preservation.

PERF and TRF cost of living adjustments.

Eligibility for child care voucher.

Payment of insurance premiums under Medicaid.

Assessed value cap for veteran's deduction.

Income tax credit for hiring returning veterans.

Various changes to the criminal code.

Pension thirteenth checks.

Prosecuting attorneys retirement fund.

Education.

Prescriptions and INSPECT program.

Property taxes.

School capital projects fund.

Indiana sportsmen's benevolence account.

Veterans preference on state contracts.

Telehealth and telemedicine services reimbursement under Medicaid.

Various election law matters.

Judicial officers.

Horse racing.

School resource officers and school safety.

Soil productivity factors.

Drug testing of recipients of assistance.

Federal health care reform.

School corporation capital projects fund.

Property tax deadlines and procedures.

Health benefit exchange provisions.

Collection of DNA samples from certain arrestees and fees.

Department of toxicology fees.

Use tax nexus and collection.

Income tax rates.

Taxation of civil service annuities.

Property tax assessment date.

Property tax exemptions.

Property tax rate cap replacement grants.

Implementation of federal Affordable Care Act.

Unemployment insurance bonds.

Countywide public transit.

Kidney early evaluation fund.

State contracting with veterans.

State tax administration.

School bus purchase study committee.

Inheritance tax.

Elimination of the inheritance tax.

Local funds.

Highway revolving loan fund.