By Jerry Curry, Staff Writer
The Indiana General Assembly has pass 172 laws from the 700 bills introduced. This number maybe a blessing. Listed are a few of the laws and how they may affect you. More than 90% received bipartisan support and more than 50% received unanimous support in the senate. Some bills go into effect right away after they are signed by Governor Holcomb, others at end of the year. These bills went into effect July 1, 2024 These are written to help improve the community. More can be found on iga.in.gov/legislative.
Senate Bill 185: Requires each school corporation and charter School to adopt and implement a wireless communication devices policy that governs student use of a wireless communication devises and publish the policy on the school corporation’s school site.
SB 17: Requires Indiana residents to prove their age before accessing adult websites. This bill is aimed at protecting minors. This law has already been challenged by a lawsuit by Free Speech Coalition and porn website operators. Their contention is that this is a infringement on the first amendment and is unconstitutional.
SB 282: Requires each school system to establish a truancy prevention policy regarding students in kindergarten through six grades. Provides that a prosecuting attorney to notify each parent regarding the child’s compulsory attendance violation or if the child is a habitual truant.
HB 1104: Requires schools to establish an armed intruder protocol. The schools must develop a school safety plan.
SB 1: Reading skills. Requires retention of a student who has not achieved a passing score. School must provide summer classes to help the student to get on an acceptable level. This is a 3rd grade level.
HB 1383: Wetlands. This law lowers the number of wetlands that are eligible to receive full protection.
HB 1068: Alcoholic beverage sales in the state of Indiana. This bill allows restaurants and bars to have happy hour drink specials.
HB 1183: Deals with ownership of land. This prohibits the purchase of land within 10-mile radius of a military Installation. There are exceptions. This bill includes those who hold dual citizenship with the United States and countries like China, Iran, North Korea, Russia, or any country designated as a threat. HB 1068: This bill will require written buyer agency agreements, simply a Realtor must have a written agreement with a buyer before showing them any home. This bill’s purpose is to protect the home owner from deceptive deals.