Friday, June 29, 2018
During the 2018 legislative session, the Indiana General Assembly passed more than 200 bills to improve the Hoosier state. Most of these bills either went into effect when signed by Gov. Eric Holcomb or will go into effect July 1.
Here are some of the laws that go into effect July 1.
Safety for Motorists
Senate Enrolled Act 100 allows fire departments to provide free vehicular carbon monoxide testing to the owner of a vehicle at their request.
Scleral Tattooing
Senate Enrolled Act 158 prohibits scleral tattooing unless it is being performed by a licensed health care professional and is within the professional’s scope of practice.
Crimes that Result in Loss of a Fetus
Senate Enrolled Act 203 allows a perpetrator to be charged with murder, voluntary manslaughter, involuntary manslaughter or feticide, depending on the circumstances of the event, for the loss of a fetus at any stage of development.
Dyslexia Screenings
Senate Enrolled Act 217 requires school corporation and charter school reading plans to include indicators that screen for dyslexia risk factors.
Preventing Opioid Abuse
Senate Enrolled Act 221 helps address the drug epidemic facing Indiana by requiring doctors to check Indiana’s prescription drug monitoring program, INSPECT, before prescribing opioids.
New State Insect
Senate Enrolled Act 236 designates Pyractomena angulata, also known as “Say’s Firefly,” as Indiana’s official state insect.
Sales Tax on Software
Senate Enrolled Act 257 exempts software as a service from state sales tax.
Property Rights
House Enrolled Act 1035 prohibits local governments from enacting ordinances that ban homeowners from using their primary residence as a short-term rental.
Improving Rural Broadband
House Enrolled Act 1065 authorizes the Office of Community and Rural Affairs to award grants to qualified broadband providers and changes the minimum speed thresholds for high-speed internet to improve broadband service in underserved areas in Indiana.
For a full list of 2018 legislation, click here.
