The IU State Relations team has reviewed every bill that has been introduced at the Statehouse, and determined if and how the bill could impact the university. This Statehouse Update provides a summary of bills the team is tracking that have had activity up to this point during the thirteenth week of session. Bills must move out of the opposite chamber’s committees by the Thursday, April 10 deadline to remain eligible to still become law.
House Bills
HB 1002: Various education matters
Passed Senate Appropriations 10-3.
The bill removes and repeals various education provisions and expired education provisions in Indiana Title 20: Education. This will be a multi-year process to “reduce regulations on K-12 schools to increase flexibility and give local communities more control over education decisions.”
HB 1003: Health matters
Passed Senate Health and Provider Services 12-0 and recommitted to Senate Appropriations.
Specifies that the Medicaid fraud control unit's (MFCU) investigation of Medicaid fraud may include the investigation of provider fraud, insurer fraud, duplicate billing, and other instances of fraud. The bill also allows the Indiana Department of Health (IDOH) to enter into partnerships and joint ventures to encourage best practices in the appropriate and effective use of priorauthorization in health care. Additionally, it requires IDOH, in consultation with the office of technology, to study the feasibility of developing and implementing standards for health providers concerning medical record interoperability.
HB 1041: Student eligibility in interscholastic sports
Passed Senate 42-6.
The bill prohibits a male, based on the student's biological sex at birth in accordance with the student's genetics and reproductive biology, from participating on an Indiana public and private colleges’ athletic team or sport designated as being a female, women's, or girls' athletic team/sport. It requires public and private colleges to establish grievance procedures for a violation of the law.
HB 1172: Office of entrepreneurship and innovation
Passed Senate Commerce and Technology 11-0 and recommitted to Senate Appropriations.
The bill establishes the Indiana Office of Entrepreneurship and Innovation (under the Office of Commerce cabinet vertical) and requires it to (1) develop and administer programs to support the growth of small business, entrepreneurship, and innovation in Indiana; and eight other objectives.
HB 1453: Pediatric cancer research and treatment grant
Passed Senate Health and Provider Services 12-0 and recommitted to Senate Appropriations.
The bill establishes the pediatric cancer research and treatment grant program to be administered by the Indiana Department of Health (IDOH) and establishes the pediatric cancer research and treatment fund. It sets forth requirements for an entity to receive a grant and requires IDOH to develop criteria, policies, procedures, and a plan concerning awarding of the grants. State educational institutions may receive grant funding from the newly established grant program if they choose to apply and meet the eligibility requirements.
HB 1555: Licensure of foreign trained physicians
Passed Senate Health and Provider Services 11-0.
The bill establishes a limited medical license for individuals who have graduated from certain international medical programs; obtain a health care facility sponsor in an underserved area; and meet certain other criteria.
HB 1634: Math education
This is a Governor’s Office/Indiana Department of Education priority bill. Passed Senate Appropriations 10-2.
The bill, among other provisions, establishes requirements regarding: (1) mathematics screening, evaluation, and intervention; and (2) teacher preparation program math curriculum and content.
Senate Bills
SB 74: Extension of lifeline law immunity
Signed by the Governor.
The bill provides that an individual who is: (1) reasonably believed to be suffering from a health condition which is the direct result of alcohol consumption; and (2) assisted by a person who requested emergency medical assistance for the individual; is immune from prosecution for certain crimes.
SB 365: Education matters
Passed House 66-24.
The bill requires the Indiana Department of Education (IDOE), in collaboration with CHE and DWD, to create a combined return on investment report for specified programs, including the 21st Century Scholars program. It also moves the career navigation coaching system developed by CHE to the IDOE to administer and implement and eliminates state educational institutions as an eligible entity to apply for grants to provide career coaching under the system.
SB 473: Various health care matters
Passed House Public Health 11-0.
Requires a nursing program to offer a clinical experience for clinical hours in a hospital and a health facility setting. It also establishes the certified health care professions commission and sets forth the commission's duties, including the certification of nurse aides and qualified medication aides; and the administration of the certified nurse aide registry.
SB 516: Economic development
Passed House 87-4 and returned to Senate with amendments.
The bill establishes the Indiana Office of Entrepreneurship and Innovation and specifies the duties of the office. In addition, the bill makes changes to the Indiana Economic Development Corporation’s (IEDC) leadership structure and places additional guardrails on the IEDC’s operations.