Various education matters. Provides that the Indiana school for the blind and visually impaired board shall give preference to a candidate for the chief executive officer position who meets the qualifications for an Indiana teacher's certificate in the area of visual impairment disabilities, but shall not require a candidate for the chief executive officer position to meet the qualifications for an Indiana teacher's certificate in the area of visual impairment disabilities. Provides that, subject to approval by the Indiana school for the deaf board, the Indiana school for the deaf may partner with an existing nonprofit corporation to benefit the purposes of the school. Provides that the public meeting that must be held before a contract for employment is entered into by a governing body and a school superintendent may take place at a regular or special meeting of the governing body and does not have to happen at least seven days before the contract is entered into. Prohibits a teacher preparation program from using curriculum or content that is based on the three-cueing model. Provides that if only one new member is elected to the board of the governing body, a governing body may enter into a contract with a superintendent after the election. Repeals the primetime program. Amends the Indiana student enrichment grant program. Repeals provisions regarding the primetime program.

Child welfare provider protections. Prohibits the state from discriminating against adoption agencies, foster parents, or adoptive parents on the basis of religious beliefs. Defines certain terms. Waives sovereign immunity for purposes of the prohibition, except that state courts retain immunity. Allows suit under these provisions without exhausting administrative remedies. Provides for a private right of action and civil remedies.

Elections. Provides that the state of Indiana shall conduct all elections using secure, hand-marked paper ballots that are: (1) designed and made in Indiana; (2) embellished with a distinctive watermark; and (3) serialized numerically. Provides that no other method of voting may be used in Indiana. Specifies that ballots must be counted by hand. Requires precincts to have video cameras that record and live stream the counting of ballots and the ballot box container. Requires each precinct to have one voting system equipped for individuals with disabilities. Specifies requirements for reporting results of the election. Requires election results to be announced the evening of the election. Prohibits the use of a pollbook in any form other than paper. Provides that ballots are not confidential. Prohibits the state from conducting the voting system technical oversight program (VSTOP) after June 30, 2024. Specifies storage requirements for certain election documents. Requires the secretary of state (secretary) to randomly choose 10 counties for post-election hand recounts and inspections of secured storage facilities. Provides that all Indiana citizens have the right to inspect and copy all election materials at the office of the county clerk. Requires the secretary to establish and maintain a statewide voter registration data base. Requires the secretary to administer voter registration rolls and provides that the secretary may not delegate this function. Requires county clerks to create and print the paper pollbook for each precinct. Specifies requirements for back up lists and daily records of the voter registration data base. Specifies that an election in Indiana may be held only on election day. Prohibits: (1) early in person voting; (2) vote centers; (3) Internet voting; (4) mass mail-in voting; (5) ballot harvesting; and (6) a ballot drop box. Provides that a precinct may contain not more than 1,500 registered active voters. Specifies that absentee voter boards may be used for all voters at extended care facilities. Requires all voter registration applications to include proof of citizenship and a signature. Specifies certain restrictions that apply to a third party organization. Provides that a digital identification is not acceptable for the purposes of registration or voting. Specifies: (1) requirements for absentee ballots; and (2) the individuals who qualify to receive an absentee ballot. Requires an absentee ballot to include a copy of the voter's proof of identification or the last four digits of the voter's Social Security number. Provides that a person who violates these provisions: (1) commits a Class A misdemeanor; and (2) is deprived of the right of suffrage for 10 years. Repeals a provision that designates as confidential certain information maintained by VSTOP. Requires the attorney general to establish an election crimes unit.

Age for compulsory school attendance. Provides that a student is bound by compulsory school attendance requirements from the beginning of the fall school term for the school year in which the student is five years of age on August 1 of that school year. (Current law provides that a student is bound by compulsory school attendance requirements from the beginning of the fall school term for the school year in which the student becomes seven years of age.) Makes conforming amendments.

Indiana semiquincentennial license plate. Provides for a semiquincentennial license plate. Establishes the semiquincentennial trust fund.

Department of local government finance. Provides that a county fiscal body may provide a stipend, not to exceed $2,500, to a circuit court clerk that serves as a voter registration officer each year in which a general election is held. Requires a political subdivision to upload to the Indiana transparency website any contract: (1) related to the provision of fire services or emergency medical services; or (2) entered into with another unit or entity that provides fire services or emergency medical services. Requires a political subdivision to annually attest that the political subdivision uploaded any contract related to the provision of fire services or emergency medical services as a part of the political subdivision budgeting process and specifies the consequence for failure to satisfy the attestation requirement. Provides that for purposes of public purchasing, the term "public funds" does not include proceeds of bonds payable exclusively by, or used by, a private entity. Provides a 15% procurement price preference to a business offering to provide supplies or services under a contract awarded by a state agency to a business that provides "specialized employee services" to its employees. Extends the duration of an entrepreneur and enterprise district (district) to the later of: (1) December 31, 2029 (rather than December 31, 2024); or (2) five years after the date the district is designated. Amends provisions of a statute pertaining to the assessment of rental property. Requires the department of local government finance (department) to notify the county assessor of the department's tentative assessment, or information related to tentative valuation changes, of a utility company's distributable property not later than June 1. Reinstates a provision that was repealed in SEA 325-2023 (P.L.182-2023) that includes as a "homestead" property that is an individual's principal place of residence, is located in Indiana, and is owned by an entity, if the individual is a shareholder, partner, or member of the entity that owns the property. Requires a county auditor to submit an amended certified statement of the assessed value for the ensuing year to the department by the later of: (1) September 1; or (2) 15 days after the certified statement is submitted to the department. Requires the proper officers of a political subdivision that desire to appropriate more money for a particular year than the amount prescribed in the budget for that year as finally determined to hold a public hearing after submitting information regarding the proposed additional appropriation to the department's computer gateway. Provides for a maximum property tax levy increase for Knox Township in Jay County. Prohibits certain civil taxing units that determine they cannot carry out their governmental functions for an ensuing calendar year under various levy limitations from submitting an appeal unless the civil taxing unit receives approval from the appropriate fiscal body to submit the appeal. Similarly prohibits a participating unit of a fire protection territory from submitting an appeal unless each participating unit of the fire protection territory has adopted a resolution approving submission of the appeal. Requires the department, regarding the referendum process for bonds or leases for certain projects, to certify its approval or recommendations to the county auditor and the county election board not more than 10 days after both the required certification of the county auditor and the language of the public question are submitted to the department for review. Provides for the staggering of terms for property tax assessment board of appeals members. Provides that if the department determines that certified computer software or a certified provider is not in compliance with certain specifications or standards or the rules of the department, the department may request that the provider develop a corrective action plan. Provides that a contract with a computer provider under a corrective action plan is not void unless the department: (1) determines that the provider has failed to substantially correct the noncompliance; and (2) revokes the provider's certification. Establishes corrective action plan provisions for noncompliant computer providers. Provides the amount of the additional penalty added to taxes payable if a person fails to file a personal property return within 30 days after the due date. Amends a provision regarding the local income tax rate for local costs of the state judicial system in the county. Requires the department to approve a lower levy freeze tax rate if it finds that the lower rate, in addition to: (1) the supplemental distribution as determined in an adopted resolution; and (2) the amount in certain repealed stabilization funds, as applicable; would fund the levy freeze dollar amount. Provides that certain acute care hospitals may apply to the division of mental health and addiction for certification as a community mental health center. Requires the division of mental health and addiction to review applications for certification as a community mental health center: (1) to ensure an applicant meets certain standards; and (2) without consideration for previously established exclusive geographic primary service restrictions. Requires the department to send its decision regarding referendum language to the governing body of a school corporation not more than 10 days after: (1) the certification of the county auditor; and (2) the resolution is submitted to the department. Provides that, for purposes of the transportation levy component of an operations fund property tax levy, a school corporation, whose budget for the upcoming year is subject to review by a fiscal body, may not submit an appeal to the department unless the school corporation receives approval from the fiscal body. Provides that a county fiscal body may establish a salary schedule that includes a stipend, not to exceed $2,500 in a year, to be paid to the county auditor for duties when warranted as determined by the county fiscal body. Requires a county recorder to provide the owner of a farm with: (1) a copy of the recorded document that contains the name of the owner's farm; and (2) documentation of a description of the land to which the name of the farm applies. Provides that for a county having a United States government military base that is scheduled for closing, the expiration date of the allocation area may be extended for the purposes of paying certain expenses. Repeals a provision that prohibits a local unit from amending the boundaries of an economic improvement district (EID). Instead, allows a local unit to amend the boundaries of an EID only if an owner of real property wishes to include the owner's real property in the EID and voluntarily enters into a written agreement with the legislative body of the local unit in which the owner requests and consents to increasing the boundaries of the EID to include the owner's real property. Specifies that, for real property subject to such a written agreement that is subsequently sold to a new owner, the new owner of that real property may opt out of the prior owner's agreement. Provides that no ordinance or safety board action to fix compensation may provide for any increase in the compensation of any member of a police department or fire department, or any other appointee, from the prior budget year if the city has not fixed a budget, tax rate, and tax levy for the ensuing budget year. Allows a qualified taxpayer to file a property tax exemption application before September 1, 2024, for eligible property for assessment dates beginning within assessment dates occurring within the six years prior to the assessment date at issue. Provides that if a qualified taxpayer files a property tax exemption application for eligible property: (1) the property tax exemption for the eligible property is allowed and granted for the applicable assessment date by the county assessor and county auditor of the county in which the eligible property is located; and (2) the qualified taxpayer is not required to pay any property taxes, penalties, interest, or tax sale reimbursement expenses with respect to the eligible property for the applicable assessment date. Provides that, to the extent the qualified taxpayer has paid any property taxes, penalties, or interest with respect to the eligible property for an applicable assessment date, the qualified taxpayer is entitled to a refund of the amounts paid.

Fiscal matters. Provides that money in the attorney general contingency fee fund is continuously appropriated and is not subject to allotment. Reinstates provisions concerning meetings of the budget committee. Provides that money in the high tech crimes unit fund is continuously appropriated for purposes of the fund. Allows the Indiana economic development corporation (IEDC) to designate territory located in an existing allocation area as an innovation development district if certain conditions are met. Removes the sunset provision for when the IEDC may designate an innovation development district. Provides that if an existing allocation area is located in territory subsequently designated as an innovation development district, property tax increment revenue continues to be allocated to the existing allocation area and provides that the allocation area may not be renewed or extended until the term of the innovation development district expires. Extends the funding Indiana's roads for a stronger, safer tomorrow task force for one additional year. Provides that transfers may not be made by the budget agency, the state board of finance, or any entity from any source to the Indiana gaming commission without prior budget committee review. Provides that certain appropriations from the state gaming fund in the most recent biennial budget act may not be augmented. Amends certain language in the Medicaid oversight committee provisions in House Enrolled Act 1026.

School corporation governing body. Provides for the election and appointment of members of certain school corporations in which members of the governing body are appointed. Specifies that: (1) three members of the governing body are appointed from a city within the school corporation; and (2) two members are elected from the unincorporated area within the school corporation. Establishes a commission to nominate the candidates for the governing body.

School based health services and report. Requires the office of the secretary of family and social services (office) to submit a Medicaid state plan amendment to the United States Department of Health and Human Services to allow school corporations to seek Medicaid reimbursement for medically necessary school based Medicaid covered services (program). (Current law allows for the state plan amendment.) Sets forth requirements of the state plan amendment and program. Specifies how school corporations can expend the funds. Requires the office and the department of education (department) to each employ one employee for the program and to train school corporations concerning the program. Requires the department to conduct a study concerning workload levels for school based health providers who are licensed occupational therapists and licensed physical therapists. Specifies components to consider in determining a methodology and requirements of the study. Requires the department to submit a report of the study to the legislative council before November 1, 2024, and to post the report on the department's website.

Family and juvenile law matters. Amends the definition for "act of rape", only for the purposes of IC 31-35-3.5 (termination of parent-child relationship of an individual who committed an act of rape), to include child molestation and sexual misconduct with a minor. Provides that the department of child services or a court shall consider ensuring the child's safety to be the most important consideration in the determination of a child's best interests under family and juvenile law. Provides that there is a rebuttable presumption that a child is a child in need of services if the state establishes that the child lives in the same household as an adult who was a perpetrator of a child fatality or near fatality that may have been the result of abuse, abandonment, or neglect. Adds sexual misconduct with a minor as an offense that may be alleged in a petition to terminate the parent-child relationship when a child is conceived as a result of the offense. Amends the circumstances under which a court may terminate the parent-child relationship with regard to a child in need of services.

Extension of innkeeper's tax. Allows a county fiscal body to adopt an ordinance to extend the duration for which an innkeeper's tax is imposed on a person engaged in the business of renting or furnishing any rooms, lodging, or accommodations for a period of more than 30 days but not more than one year. (Current law limits the imposition of the innkeeper's tax to periods of less than 30 days.) Provides that a county fiscal body may renew a previously adopted ordinance extending the duration of the innkeeper's tax. Makes conforming changes.

Health care debt and costs. Adds a new chapter to the Indiana Code governing hospitals' billing practices and financial disclosures to patients. Provides that the unpaid earnings of a consumer who resides in Indiana may not, at any time, be attached by garnishment in satisfaction of: (1) any amount of health care debt owed or alleged to be owed by the consumer; or (2) in an action against the consumer in which a judgment has been entered, any amount of the judgment that represents health care debt determined to be owed by the consumer. Prohibits a health care provider from reporting or furnishing to a consumer reporting agency any information related to health care debt owed or alleged to be owed by a consumer who resides in Indiana. Defines a "third party furnisher" as a person that regularly and in the ordinary course of business furnishes to consumer reporting agencies information about the transactions and experiences of health care providers with consumers, including information regarding delinquent account actions. Requires a health care provider to include in any contract entered into with a third party furnisher a provision that prohibits the reporting or furnishing to a consumer reporting agency any information related to health care debt owed or alleged to be owed by a consumer, including information concerning any delinquent account action taken with respect to health care debt. Provides that if information related to health care debt is reported to a consumer reporting agency in violation of these provisions: (1) the consumer who owes or is alleged to owe the health care debt is relieved from any liability to pay the amount of health care debt reported; and (2) the health care provider and any third party furnisher engaged by the health care provider before or after the reporting of the information may not collect or pursue the collection of the amount reported. Prohibits a consumer reporting agency from recording or retaining in the file of a consumer any information that is: (1) related to health care debt incurred or alleged to be incurred by the consumer; and (2) reported to the consumer reporting agency after June 30, 2024. Provides that if a consumer reporting agency receives a request from a consumer to delete any record of health care debt maintained in the file of the consumer, the consumer reporting agency shall, not later than five business days after receiving the request, take all lawful and reasonable actions to delete from the consumer's file the record of the health care debt, regardless of when the health care debt was reported to the consumer reporting agency. Prohibits a health care provider from: (1) charging or collecting interest on the unpaid balances of health care debt at a rate that exceeds an annual rate of 9%; or (2) initiating any delinquent account action with respect to health care debt during the pendency of an appeal by the consumer for the denial of insurance or other third party coverage for the health care services, products, or devices with respect to which the health care debt was incurred. Prohibits a creditor from obtaining or using a consumer's medical information in connection with any determination of the consumer's eligibility, or continued eligibility, for credit, as required under the federal Fair Credit Reporting Act. Provides that a person that violates these provisions commits a deceptive act that is actionable only by the attorney general under the Indiana statute concerning deceptive consumer sales. Amends the statute concerning adverse claims against deposit accounts to prohibit a depository financial institution that receives notice of an adverse claim based on health care debt owed or alleged to be owed by a consumer from: (1) recognizing the adverse claim in any manner; or (2) placing a hold on, or otherwise restricting withdrawal of funds from, a deposit account in which the consumer who is the subject of the adverse claim has an interest. Provides that: (1) any amount of health care debt owed or alleged to be owed by a consumer; or (2) in an action against a consumer in which a judgment has been entered, any amount of the judgment that represents health care debt determined to be owed by the consumer; does not constitute a lien against the consumer's principal residence or against certain personal property of the consumer. Provides that in any action filed, in a court of competent jurisdiction in Indiana, for the recovery of health care debt owed or alleged to be owed by a consumer, the court does not have and shall not entertain jurisdiction in any: (1) action of attachment against the real or personal property of the consumer; or (2) action of garnishment; upon, or any time after, the filing of the complaint in the action. Provides that in any action filed, in a court of competent jurisdiction in Indiana, for the recovery of health care debt owed or alleged to be owed by a consumer, the principal residence of the consumer is not liable to judgment or attachment or to be sold on execution against the consumer.

Biomarker testing coverage. Requires a health plan (which includes a policy of accident and sickness insurance, a health maintenance organization contract, the Medicaid risk based managed care program, and a state employee health plan) to provide coverage for biomarker testing for the purposes of diagnosis, treatment, appropriate management, or ongoing monitoring of an enrollee's disease or condition when biomarker testing is supported by medical and scientific evidence. Requires the office of Medicaid policy and planning to provide biomarker testing as a Medicaid program service, and to apply to the United States Department of Health and Human Services for approval of any waiver necessary under the federal Medicaid program for the purpose of providing biomarker testing. Provides that coverage is not required for biomarker testing for screening purposes. Provides that if a prior authorization requirement applies to biomarker testing, the health plan or a third party acting on behalf of the health plan must: (1) approve or deny a request for prior authorization; and (2) notify the covered individual of the approval or denial; in not more than five business days in the case of a nonurgent request or in not more than 48 hours in the case of an urgent request. Requires the office of the secretary of family and social services to report certain information to the budget committee on Medicaid reimbursement rates provided for biomarker testing.

Riverfront economic development tax area. Allows the legislative body of a city or a county without a consolidated city to adopt a resolution establishing a riverfront economic development tax area (tax area). Sets forth requirements for the location of the tax area. Requires the legislative body to make findings when adopting a resolution. Requires the legislative body to submit a resolution establishing a tax area to the budget committee and budget agency for review and approval. Allows a tax area to receive incremental state income tax revenue and incremental sales tax revenue attributable to the tax area. Requires a city or county that establishes a tax area to establish a riverfront economic development area fund. Provides that a tax area terminates not later than 25 years after the date on which the resolution establishing the tax area is adopted.

State and local policies on homelessness. Cancels the appropriation in the 2023 budget bill for the state's housing first program and reallocates that appropriation to the Indiana housing and community development authority (authority) as follows: (1) Provides that state funds for homelessness must be used for: (A) parking areas; (B) camping facilities; (C) individual shelters; and (D) congregate shelters; and specifies conditions and requirements applicable to those facilities. (2) Provides that state funds otherwise used for permanent housing must be used to assist individuals with substance use, mental health treatment, and other services, including short term housing. Provides that the authority must award certain funds as performance payments for political subdivisions or nonprofit organizations that reduce the number of individuals with days unhoused, days in jail or prison, or days hospitalized. Specifies that a person who owns or operates a private camping facility funded under the bill's provisions is immune from civil liability. Prohibits an individual from camping, sleeping, or using for long term shelter land owned by the state or a political subdivision, unless the land has been authorized for that use under the provisions added by the bill or another law. Provides, if certain elements are met, that a person who knowingly or intentionally uses land owned by the state or a political subdivision for unauthorized camping, sleeping, or for long term shelter commits a Class C misdemeanor. Establishes an affirmative defense to such a prosecution. Prohibits a political subdivision from adopting or enforcing any policy that prohibits or discourages the enforcement of any order or ordinance prohibiting public camping, sleeping, or other obstruction of a sidewalk. Authorizes the attorney general to bring a civil action to enjoin a political subdivision that adopts or enforces such a policy. Makes conforming changes. Makes an appropriation.