New Laws Take Effect July 1

House Enrolled Act 1230 expands Indiana’s successful Safe Haven Law, that has saved the lives of dozens of newborns by allowing struggling parents to legally turn over custody of their child to medical staff.

To protect the people of Indiana and their property, Senate Enrolled Act 187 increases the criminal penalties for rioting and allows state government to withhold funds from local governments that fail to preserve their monuments and memorials from destruction.

Senate Enrolled Act 263 prohibits state and local government from restricting the right to worship in person during an emergency. It also prevents state and local government from imposing restrictions on religious organizations and religious services that are more restrictive than other businesses and organizations deemed “essential services” during a disaster.

Additionally, our newest two-year state budget removes financial barriers for Hoosiers to exercise their Second Amendment rights by making lifetime handgun permits free. The budget also provides money to local police departments to replace their lost permit revenue, which goes toward officer training.

Finally, I authored Senate Enrolled Act 59. This new law allows occupational therapists to directly see a patient for up to 42 calendar days without a physician’s referral. SEA 59 will provide patients with direct access to occupational therapy and reduce the administrative burden on hospitals and health care providers, specifically in rural areas where there is a shortage of health care professionals. In addition, this will reduce health care costs by eliminating an unnecessary visit to a practitioner for the sole purpose of a referral and will provide early access to health care across all defined scopes of practice.

To view these laws and others passed this session, click here.