Indiana bill tightens school gun penalties, eases adult court rule
Some House Democrats initially opposed House Bill 1249 over concerns that it would take away judges’ discretion in youth handgun cases.
Some House Democrats initially opposed House Bill 1249 over concerns that it would take away judges’ discretion in youth handgun cases.
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.
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.
A bill advancing in the state Senate would increase disclosure requirements to legislators and news media.
Uber has faced criticism for its safety record, much of it spanning from thousands of incidents of sexual assault reported by both passengers and drivers, including cases in Indiana.
The proposal, named for a Fishers teen found dead after a weekslong disappearance, would create a new “pink alert” system that could be used when a child goes missing and there is evidence of grooming or coercive communication that led to the disappearance.
The National Association of Attorneys General said that doxxing and swatting — or reporting false emergencies to trigger an armed response from law enforcement, which happened to several Indiana lawmakers last year — are closely related but different actions.
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.
The tort bill’s author, Rep. Matt Lehman, R-Berne, said House Bill 1417 is a “very watered-down version” of the legislation he originally filed.
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.
At least three bills this state legislative session stem from conversations previously had at the city level that didn’t work out the way stakeholders and the council’s super-minority GOP caucus wanted.
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.
Bills on township government, hemp and utility costs also pass General Assembly.
Opponents fear the provisions could be abused, pointing to President Donald Trump’s ongoing, lethal deployment of federal immigration officers to Minnesota.
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.
Indiana Attorney General Todd Rokita said the proposal remains “toothless.”
House Bill 1002 requires the state’s investor-owned utilities to start low-income-customer assistance programs, bans service shutoffs in the summer and moves all customers to “levelized” billing plans.
An application for Taft Stettinius & Hollister LLP was completed Wednesday with the Indiana Lobby Registration Commission, indicating the firm will represent CBFC Development LLC, an affiliate company for the NFL franchise.
Rep. Andrew Ireland said he authored the bill because he’s concerned about school districts hiring lobbyists with money that could be going toward the classroom.
House Republicans are emphasizing affordability through deregulation in their legislative priorities. The measures center on local zoning laws for housing, new methods of utility ratemaking and cutting down on code in education.