Push for tighter rules looms over Indiana needle exchange program
Republican lawmakers are divided over limiting disease spread versus arguments of enabling drug abuse.
Indiana Capital Chronicle
Articles
As online child exploitation tips climb, Indiana governor calls for tougher controls on social media
New data show the Indiana Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force received 29,635 cyber tips in 2025 — a 38% increase over the prior year — and has already logged nearly 3,000 tips in early 2026.
‘Losing the fight’: Parents urge action as Indiana House revisits youth social media restrictions
After hours of emotional testimony from frustrated parents and school leaders, an Indiana House committee is weighing whether to revive youth social media restrictions inside a wide-ranging education agency bill.
Lawmakers looking to require more information on Indiana child abuse investigations
A bill advancing in the state Senate would increase disclosure requirements to legislators and news media.
BMV rule barring gender marker changes effective this week
IYG, a group that supports LGBTQ+ youth and young adults, said in a news release that the move comes despite two public hearings producing hours of testimony in opposition.
A final list of candidate filings for Indiana House, Senate and Congress
All nine U.S. House and 100 Indiana House seats are up for election this year, along with half of the 50 Indiana Senate seats. The candidate filing period ended last Friday.
Confusion over paperwork handling has Indiana candidates scrambling
Secretary of State Diego Morales maintains that his office followed state law, but that hasn’t stopped many candidates from refiling this week at the Indiana Election Division office ahead of Friday’s deadline.
Crime rates fell across US cities in 2025
The Council on Criminal Justice study analyzed 13 types of offenses — from homicides to drug crimes to shoplifting — in cities that have consistently published monthly data over the past eight years.
Revamped Indiana bill dealing with immigration law enforcement clears committee
The legislation would block government bodies and public universities from enacting any policies that limit cooperation — including of their employees — with federal immigration authorities or laws.
Indiana keeps bucking marijuana legalization, tightening related laws instead
Indiana legislators are advancing proposals that would tighten state laws on delta-8 products with THC and crack down on advertisements for marijuana dispensaries in neighboring states.
Medical debt help bill clears Senate, splits GOP caucus
The attorney general would enforce the wage garnishment and home protection provisions, and would have to establish a complaint process for patients to file against medical creditors and debt collectors.
Lawmakers back away from a youth social media ban
Bills on township government, hemp and utility costs also pass General Assembly.
Indiana National Guard ‘military police’ bill passes House
Opponents fear the provisions could be abused, pointing to President Donald Trump’s ongoing, lethal deployment of federal immigration officers to Minnesota.
Indiana Senate backs bill restricting transgender school restroom use
Emma Vosicky, the executive director of GenderNexus, criticized provisions that would allow anyone “who is directly or indirectly injured” by an alleged violation of the restroom restrictions to file a lawsuit against the school.
Immigration enforcement bill clears Indiana Senate amid national ICE controversy
Indiana Attorney General Todd Rokita said the proposal remains “toothless.”
Indiana bail amendment advances toward November ballot
The proposed constitutional change would let Hoosiers decide if judges should have more authority to deny bail.
Firing squad, gas execution methods move out of Indiana House committee
Firing squad and nitrogen hypoxia would be allowed alongside lethal injection to carry out Indiana’s death penalty under a bill that passed 8-5 out of the House Courts and Criminal Code Committee.
Indiana Senate advances bell-to-bell school cellphone limits despite bipartisan concerns
Under current state law, students are prohibited from using phones during instructional time, but they can use them during lunch and passing periods.
Senate committee approves 1-year state tax cut for overtime, tips
The proposal would cost the state $251 million in tax revenue and that loss would be covered by the growing state surplus, said Sen. Travis Holdman, R-Markle.
Indiana hemp drug ban clears first hurdle
Indiana lawmakers seek to align state law with a recently enacted federal ban on intoxicating and synthetic hemp products — over opposition from the burgeoning delta-8 industry.