You may not even realize that a good number of new Indiana laws took effect on the 1st of July. From new freedom for adoptees to look at their birth records, to a new state insect, to another bump up in gas prices, we bring you up to date in this brief review.
For a more comprehensive list and more details, here is a helpful link.https://indianapublicmedia.org/…/laws-effect-july-1-3-1506…/
Adoption Records
The law will open state records for people adopted between 1941 and 1993. Previously, most adoptees would not be able to see those records unless the birth parent had given consent for that information to be released. The birth parent can still prevent the details from being shared but they have to sign and submit a special form.
Sunscreen in Schools
When your kids go back to school, they can actually carry and apply their own sunscreen. It may seem silly, but before now, students actually needed to have a note from the doctor to do that.
Purple Paint
Hoosiers can now mark their property and prohibit trespassing by making vertical purple paint lines on trees and posts. This is an alternative to “No Trespassing” signs that are easily stolen or damaged.
Colored Headlights
No purple here. A new law bans headlight colors such as red, blue, green and yellow on the front of vehicles. Taillights must all be red, and license plate lights can only be white. The backup lights are also being restricted to only amber or white. Emergency vehicles are exempt.
Gas Tax
You’re now paying 1 cent more in tax per gallon of gas across Indiana as part of the yearly increase approved along with the 10-cent fuel tax increase the state’s legislature enacted last year
Airbnb Regulations
City governments can no longer ban short-term rentals like Airbnb, but they can regulate them and require a permit and fee up to $150. The law also limits short-term rentals to no more than 30 consecutive days and 180 days in a year.
Sex Education
This bill requires schools to ask parents for consent to teach their child sex education and give them 31 days to respond.
Baby Boxes
The law expands Indiana’s Safe Haven Law, which allows people to surrender their newborn without fear of criminal prosecution.
Abortion Revision
The bill allows prosecutors to seek a charge of murder, voluntary manslaughter, involuntary manslaughter and feticide if a fetus is killed in any stage of development. The bill allows charges to be sought only if the person commits a felony that causes the death of a fetus and will not apply to lawfully performed abortions.
Opioid Abuse
Four bills signed this year are meant to help combat Indiana’s opioid abuse problem. The bills will increase the number of opioid treatment locations, jack up criminal penalties for drug dealers and expand the system that monitors opioid prescriptions.
Eyeball Tattoos
The measure prohibits tattooists from coloring the whites of an individual’s eye and carries a fine up to $10,000 per violation. Exceptions would be made for procedures done by licensed health care professionals.
CBD Oil
CBD oil is now legal in Indiana as long as it has a THC level that is .3 percent or lower. Cannabidiol, commonly referred to as CBD oil, is derived from marijuana and hemp but lacks the ingredient that will get you high.
Lawmaker Sexual Harassment
Lawmakers must now complete at least one hour of training intended to prevent sexual harassment.
School Bullying
The law holds schools more accountable for bullying data by requiring them to submit their reports earlier. It also allows the Indiana Department of Education to audit schools to ensure they’re reporting bullying correctly.
State Insect
The Firefly has become Indiana’s official state bug, thanks to a lobbying project by several Indiana elementary schools. Previously, Indiana was one of only three states that did not have a state insect. Firefly is native to North America, the United States, and Indiana.
Dyslexia
This new state law helps students with dyslexia get additional help. Early screening for dyslexia is now required in every school in the state.
Preventing Heat Stroke
School and intramural coaches will be required to complete a certified education class teaching the prevention of and response to heat-related medical issues that could arise from an athlete’s training.
Civil Forfeiture
Prosecuting attorneys will now have to file an affidavit of probable cause within seven days of seizing property. That property would be returned if the court doesn’t find probable cause.
Software Sales Tax
Technology companies that sell software as a service are no longer required to collect sales taxes. Indiana is one of only four states to exempt software as a service in state statute.
This list is presented as a public service by your family of lawyers at Tauber Law Offices. If we can help you with any legal proceeding, contact us and we will do our best to help.
