Members of the Indiana General Assembly returned to the State House earlier than normal for two weeks in December to debate mid-cycle congressional redistricting. Both chambers also held hearings, and the Senate moved several bills out of committee. The short session will likely now end by the end of February to account for the two-week December reconvening. Lawmakers will return to work on Monday, January 5, 2026.
House Bills
HB 1032: Redistricting
The bill allows the general assembly to amend congressional districts at a time other than the first regular session of the general assembly convening immediately following the United States decennial census. It would establish new Indiana congressional districts (from 7 Republican-2 Democrat-leaning districts to 9 Republican-0 Democrat-leaning districts).
Passed House 57-41 and defeated by Senate 19-31
HB 1017: University notification of emergency contact
The bill requires all educational institutions (public and private) to establish and implement a procedure whereby a student may designate a medical emergency contact. If the institution has knowledge of the medical emergency and it occurs on-campus, the bill requires institutions to notify the student's medical emergency contact no later than 24 hours after the medical emergency occurs.
Referred to House Education
Senate Bills
SB 76: Immigration matters
The bill provides that if a law enforcement officer, governmental body, or a postsecondary educational institution is made a party to a civil suit and the attorney general determines that the suit has arisen out of certain acts, the attorney general shall defend the law enforcement officer, the governmental body, or the postsecondary educational institution throughout the action. It clarifies that the enforcement of federal immigration laws may be carried out by federal, state, or local law enforcement. The bill removes the mens rea standard in the statute concerning governmental entities or postsecondary institutions violating the citizenship and immigration status information and enforcement of federal laws chapter. The bill provides that if the attorney general, an agency, or a law enforcement agency determines that probable cause exists that an employer has hired or employed an unauthorized alien the agency, attorney general, or law enforcement agency shall provide notice to the United States Department of Homeland Security.
Passed Senate Judiciary 6-2
SB 68: Accelerated graduate degree programs
The bill requires that state educational institutions (SEI) that offer graduate degrees must evaluate whether certain mental/behavioral health graduate programs can be completed in 1 year or 5 years (if the program is combined with a baccalaureate degree). Relevant SEI’s must offer at least one such accelerated or combined program by July 1, 2028 and must report findings to the Indiana Commission for Higher Education (CHE) by November 1, 2028. Separately, SEI’s must also provide specific prescribed information to CHE by November 1, 2032 and CHE must post the reports online.
Referred to Senate Education and Career Development
SB 110: Indiana University board of trustees
The bill amends the membership of the board of trustees of Indiana University, reverting board structure back to 6 gubernatorial appointees and 3 alumni-elected trustees.
Referred to Senate Education and Career Development