Public camping ban and 7 other new Indiana state laws
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People experiencing homelessness have fewer options today as a statewide ban on public "camping," which makes sleeping on city streets and other public property illegal, takes effect.
Why it matters: Critics say the measure punishes homelessness and will further compound the challenges facing an already marginalized group of people, while proponents of the law say it will connect people with the help and services they need.
Zoom in: Senate Enrolled Act 285 makes camping or sleeping on public property illegal.
- After an initial warning and information on available services, offenders could face a misdemeanor charge, a maximum $500 fine, and up to 60 days in jail.
- There is an exemption if local shelters are full.
The big picture: That's one of dozens of new laws taking effect Wednesday, the start of Indiana's new fiscal year.
Here are seven more:
📵 Cell phones are banned in Indiana schools, bell to bell. Senate Enrolled Act 78 expands an earlier ban on cell phones in classrooms, aimed at eliminating distractions and disruptions to learning.
🩺 Fewer Hoosiers now have access to Medicaid and SNAP benefits. Reforms that Republican sponsors of Senate Enrolled Act 1 say are aimed at controlling costs and rooting out "waste, fraud and abuse" will likely result in some eligible people losing benefits, advocates say.
- Stricter eligibility and more immigration enforcement rules take effect today.
- New work requirements and increasing eligibility checks start next year.
🚨 Local law enforcement agencies are now required to cooperate with federal immigration enforcement requests that were previously voluntary.
- Senate Enrolled Act 76 also prohibits employers from knowingly hiring illegal immigrants.
🔎 Indiana's public colleges and universities may no longer admit students from "adversarial" countries to some STEM programs without a background check.
- Senate Enrolled Act 256 requires schools to review students from China, Russia, North Korea, Iran (or any other nations the federal or state government determines are a threat to national security) for security concerns or foreign influence before they enroll in certain programs.
- Programs subject to review include chemical, electrical, industrial and mechanical engineering, AI, computer science, microbiology and virology.
The intrigue: A fiscal analysis of SEA 256 warns that further curbing foreign student enrollment could result in a financial hit and suggests schools may raise tuition to offset the losses.
🪪 Watch out, drivers. Hoosier kids can get their licenses a little sooner.
- House Enrolled Act 1200 allows drivers to get their licenses at 16, not at 16 and 90 days, as was previously the rule.
👮♀️ Gov. Mike Braun has a new tool. House Enrolled Act 1343 authorizes the Indiana National Guard to establish a military police force that the governor may deploy to communities throughout the state.
- Members of the force would be able to make arrests, conduct searches and seizures, carry a firearm and be granted other police powers.
🎪 Just in time for fair season, county fairs can now sell alcohol if they want to.
- Thank you for your service, Senate Enrolled Act 23.