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HB1343 • 2026

A BILL FOR AN ACT to amend the Indiana Code concerning public safety.

A BILL FOR AN ACT to amend the Indiana Code concerning public safety.

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Enacted

This bill passed the Legislature and reached final enactment based on the latest official action.

Sponsor
Representative Steve Bartels
Last action
2026-03-04
Official status
Enrolled House Bill (H)
Effective date
Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

The bill summary does not provide specific details about all changes made to veterans' affairs, military police forces, armory management, and cybersecurity volunteers. These areas may have additional provisions that are not explicitly stated in the provided official source material.

Indiana Public Safety Act

This act changes laws related to law enforcement training, jail copayments, water vessel safety, veterans' affairs, military police forces, armory management, cybersecurity volunteers, and other public safety matters.

What This Bill Does

  • It allows the Law Enforcement Training Board to choose an executive director who can be fired by the board at any time.
  • It lets law enforcement officers with experience from another state skip some training requirements.
  • It increases the maximum jail copayment for inmates from $15 to $30 and extends the grace period before a copayment is required from 60 days to 180 days.
  • It requires certain water vessels to have an engine cut-off switch and sailing boats over seven meters long must follow federal rules.
  • It changes how the Indiana Department of Veterans' Affairs hires employees, sets up the Military Family Relief Fund, and reports on fund applications.

Who It Names or Affects

  • Law enforcement officers
  • People in county jails
  • Owners of water vessels
  • Veterans and their families

Terms To Know

copayment
A small amount that a person has to pay for services they receive while in jail.
muffler cutout or bypass
An illegal device used on boat motors to remove the muffler, which reduces noise but is now not allowed under this act.

Limits and Unknowns

  • The bill does not specify an effective date.
  • Some parts of the bill repeal old laws or boards that are no longer needed.
  • Technical corrections and conforming amendments were made to existing laws, which may affect how some provisions work in practice.

Amendments

These notes stay tied to the official amendment files and metadata from the legislature.

HB1343.02.COMH.AMH07

Committee House Bill (H) • Representative Edward DeLaney

Filed

Plain English: This amendment proposes to add a new section to the Indiana Code that relates to military police forces.

  • Adds a new section to the Indiana Code concerning public safety, specifically regarding military police forces.
  • The exact details and implications of how this new section will affect military police forces are not specified in the provided amendment text.
HB1343.05.COMS.AMS17

Committee House Bill (S) • Senator Michael Crider

Filed

Plain English: This amendment does not provide specific changes or details and is marked as 'NIMS', which likely means no changes are intended.

  • The official text of the amendment simply states 'NIMS' without providing any concrete changes, making it unclear what the exact purpose or effect of this amendment would be.
HB1343.05.COMS.AMS18

Committee House Bill (S) • Senator Fady Qaddoura

Filed

Plain English: This amendment changes the Indiana Code to include new rules about the National Guard.

  • Adds new sections to the Indiana Code that deal with the National Guard's responsibilities and operations.
  • The specific details of what these new sections will contain are not provided in the given text.
HB1343.03.COMH.AMH001

Filed House Bill (H) • Representative Steve Bartels

Failed

Plain English: This amendment aims to modify the Indiana Code regarding public safety, but does not provide specific details about what changes it intends to make.

  • The exact nature of the change is unclear from the provided text.
  • The official amendment text does not specify any concrete changes or updates to the Indiana Code concerning public safety.
HB1343.03.COMH.AMH002

Filed House Bill (H) • Representative Steve Bartels

Passed

Plain English: This amendment changes the Indiana Code to add new requirements for public safety concerning certain activities.

  • The amendment adds new rules related to public safety in the Indiana Code, but does not specify what those specific rules are.
  • The official text of the amendment is incomplete and does not provide details about the specific changes to the Indiana Code.
HB1343.03.COMH.AMH003

Filed House Bill (H) • Representative Edward DeLaney

Failed

Plain English: This amendment aims to modify the Indiana Code regarding public safety, but does not provide specific details on what changes it intends to make.

  • The amendment seeks to change the Indiana Code concerning public safety, but the exact nature of these changes is not specified in the provided text.
  • The official amendment text does not include detailed information about the specific changes to be made to the Indiana Code.
  • Without more details, it's unclear what aspects of public safety law this amendment would affect.
HB1343.03.COMH.AMH004

Filed House Bill (H) • Representative Edward DeLaney

X

Plain English: This amendment changes the Indiana Code to add new requirements for public safety concerning certain types of vehicles.

  • Adds new rules about specific vehicle types under public safety laws.
  • The exact details and types of vehicles affected are not clear from the provided text.
  • Further information is needed to understand fully what changes this amendment would make.
HB1343.03.COMH.AMH005

Filed House Bill (H) • Representative Edward DeLaney

Failed

Plain English: This amendment aims to modify the Indiana Code regarding public safety, but the specific details of the changes are not provided in the given text.

  • The exact nature and content of the proposed change is unclear from the provided information.
  • The official amendment text does not provide enough detail to explain the concrete changes it would make.
HB1343.03.COMH.AMH006

Filed House Bill (H) • Representative Matt Pierce

X

Plain English: This amendment changes the Indiana Code to add new requirements for background checks and training for people who want to buy certain types of firearms.

  • Adds a requirement that individuals purchasing specific firearms must pass a background check.
  • Requires purchasers to complete a safety training course before buying certain firearms.
  • The amendment text does not specify which types of firearms are covered by these new requirements, making it unclear exactly what guns will be affected.
  • It is also unclear how the background check and training requirements would be enforced or who would administer them.
HB1343.06.COMS.AMS001

Filed House Bill (H) • Senator Fady Qaddoura

X

Plain English: This amendment proposes to change the Indiana Code regarding public safety, but the specific details of the changes are not provided in the given text.

  • The exact nature and content of the proposed changes to the Indiana Code concerning public safety are not specified in this amendment text.
  • The official amendment text does not provide enough information to describe the concrete changes it would make.
HB1343.06.COMS.AMS002

Filed House Bill (H) • Senator Fady Qaddoura

X

Plain English: This amendment proposes to change the Indiana Code regarding public safety, but the specific details of the changes are not provided in the given text.

  • The exact nature and content of the proposed changes to the Indiana Code concerning public safety are not specified in this amendment text.
  • The official amendment text does not provide enough information to describe the concrete changes it would make.
HB1343.06.COMS.AMS003

Filed House Bill (H) • Senator J.D. Ford

X

Plain English: This amendment proposes to change the Indiana Code regarding public safety, but the specific details of the changes are not provided in the given text.

  • The official amendment text does not provide enough information to describe the concrete changes it would make.
HB1343.06.COMS.AMS004

Filed House Bill (H) • Senator Shelli Yoder

X

Plain English: This amendment would add new rules about how police can use force when dealing with people who are threatening to harm themselves or others.

  • Adds new guidelines for law enforcement on using force in situations where someone is a danger to themselves or others.
  • The amendment text does not provide specific details about the new rules, making it hard to explain exactly what changes will be made.
  • It's unclear how these new guidelines would differ from existing laws and practices in Indiana.
HB1343.06.COMS.AMS005

Filed House Bill (H) • Senator Shelli Yoder

X

Plain English: This amendment changes the Indiana Code to add new requirements for background checks and training for people who want to buy certain types of firearms.

  • Adds a requirement that individuals buying specific firearms must pass a background check.
  • Requires these buyers to complete a safety training course before purchasing the firearm.
  • The amendment text does not specify which types of firearms are included in this new requirement, making it unclear exactly which guns will be affected.
HB1343.06.COMS.AMS006

Filed House Bill (H) • Senator Shelli Yoder

X

Plain English: This amendment changes the Indiana Code to add new requirements for background checks and training for people who want to buy or rent firearms.

  • Adds a requirement that individuals buying or renting firearms must pass a background check.
  • Requires individuals to complete firearm safety training before purchasing or renting a firearm.
  • The amendment text does not specify the exact details of the background checks and training requirements, such as who will conduct them or what they entail.
HB1343.06.COMS.AMS007

Filed House Bill (H) • Senator Shelli Yoder

X

Plain English: This amendment would add new rules about how police can use force when dealing with people who are threatening to harm themselves or others.

  • Adds new guidelines for law enforcement on using force in situations where someone is a danger to themselves or others.
  • The amendment text does not provide specific details about the new rules, making it hard to explain exactly what changes will be made.
  • It's unclear how these new guidelines would differ from existing laws and practices in Indiana.

Bill History

  1. 2026-03-04 House

    Signed by the Governor

  2. 2026-03-04 House

    Public Law 94

  3. 2026-02-27 Senate

    Senator Ford J.D. removed as conferee

  4. 2026-02-27 Senate

    Senator Clark added as conferee

  5. 2026-02-27 House

    CCR # 1 filed in the House

  6. 2026-02-27 Senate

    CCR # 1 filed in the Senate

  7. 2026-02-27 House

    Rules Suspended. Conference Committee Report 1: adopted by the House; Roll Call 409: yeas 65, nays 29

  8. 2026-02-27 Senate

    Rules Suspended. Conference Committee Report 1: adopted by the Senate; Roll Call 318: yeas 37, nays 11

  9. 2026-02-27 House

    Signed by the Speaker

  10. 2026-02-27 Senate

    Signed by the President Pro Tempore

  11. 2026-02-27 Senate

    Signed by the President of the Senate

  12. 2026-02-26 House

    Representative Lawson added as conferee

  13. 2026-02-26 House

    Representative Lawson removed as advisor

  14. 2026-02-26 House

    Representative Pack removed as conferee

  15. 2026-02-25 Senate

    Returned to the House with amendments

  16. 2026-02-25 House

    House dissented from Senate amendments

  17. 2026-02-25 House

    Motion to dissent filed

  18. 2026-02-25 House

    House advisors appointed: Commons, Lawson, Gore

  19. 2026-02-25 House

    House conferees appointed: Bartels, Pack

  20. 2026-02-25 Senate

    Senate advisors appointed: Garten, Spencer

  21. 2026-02-25 Senate

    Senate conferees appointed: Baldwin, Ford J.D.

  22. 2026-02-24 Senate

    Third reading: passed; Roll Call 255: yeas 38, nays 10

  23. 2026-02-23 Senate

    Second reading: ordered engrossed

  24. 2026-02-23 Senate

    Amendment #1 (Qaddoura) failed; voice vote

  25. 2026-02-23 Senate

    Amendment #2 (Qaddoura) failed; voice vote

  26. 2026-02-23 Senate

    Amendment #3 (Ford J.D.) failed; Roll Call 214: yeas 9, nays 39

  27. 2026-02-23 Senate

    Amendment #4 (Yoder) failed; Roll Call 212: yeas 10, nays 38

  28. 2026-02-23 Senate

    Amendment #5 (Yoder) failed; Roll Call 213: yeas 10, nays 39

  29. 2026-02-23 Senate

    Amendment #6 (Yoder) failed; Roll Call 215: yeas 9, nays 38

  30. 2026-02-23 Senate

    Amendment #7 (Yoder) failed; Roll Call 216: yeas 11, nays 36

  31. 2026-02-23 Senate

    Senator Brown L added as cosponsor

  32. 2026-02-19 Senate

    Committee report: amend do pass, adopted

  33. 2026-02-16 Senate

    Senator Maxwell added as cosponsor

  34. 2026-02-10 Senate

    Committee report: do pass adopted; reassigned to Committee on Appropriations

  35. 2026-02-02 Senate

    First reading: referred to Committee on Homeland Security and Transportation

  36. 2026-01-29 House

    Referred to the Senate

  37. 2026-01-28 House

    Third reading: passed; Roll Call 121: yeas 67, nays 29

  38. 2026-01-28 House

    Senate sponsors: Senators Baldwin, Garten, Clark

  39. 2026-01-27 House

    Second reading: amended, ordered engrossed

  40. 2026-01-27 House

    Amendment #2 (Bartels) prevailed; voice vote

  41. 2026-01-27 House

    Amendment #4 (DeLaney) failed; Roll Call 105: yeas 32, nays 57

  42. 2026-01-27 House

    Amendment #6 (Pierce M) failed; Roll Call 104: yeas 31, nays 61

  43. 2026-01-27 House

    Representative Lawson added as coauthor

  44. 2026-01-22 House

    Committee report: do pass, adopted

  45. 2026-01-13 House

    Representative Commons added as coauthor

  46. 2026-01-12 House

    Committee report: do pass, adopted

  47. 2026-01-12 House

    Recommitted to Committee on Ways and Means pursuant to House Rule 126.3

  48. 2026-01-08 House

    Representative Judy added as coauthor

  49. 2026-01-06 House

    Authored by Representative Bartels

  50. 2026-01-06 House

    First reading: referred to Committee on Veterans Affairs and Public Safety

Official Summary Text

A BILL FOR AN ACT to amend the Indiana Code concerning public safety.
Public safety matters.

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text 
A BILL FOR AN ACT to amend the Indiana Code concerning public safety.

Public safety matters.

Provides that the law enforcement training board (board) shall select an executive director to serve at the pleasure of the board. Authorizes the waiver of certain training requirements for law enforcement officers with experience in other states. Provides that a person confined to a county jail may be required to make a copayment in an amount of not more than $30 (current law is $15). Provides that a person confined to a county jail is not required to make a certain copayment if, among other things, the person does not have funds in the person's commissary account or trust account within 180 days after the service is provided (current law is 60 days). Requires certain water vessels to include an engine cut-off switch. Provides that a sailing vessel at least seven meters in length must comply with federal regulations. Makes changes to the employment eligibility requirements for employees of the Indiana department of veterans' affairs (department). Makes changes to the purpose of the military family relief fund (fund). Provides that the department shall report to the Indiana veterans' affairs commission (commission), at least quarterly, as to the status of all applications regarding assistance from the fund during the previous quarter. Adds provisions indicating who is eligible for a grant from the fund. Provides that the department shall make a comprehensive assessment of an applicant's financial condition and needs when making a determination regarding an award from the fund. Provides that an applicant may not be eligible for assistance from the fund if the applicant's federal gross income, or the combined federal gross income of the applicant and the applicant's spouse, exceeds two times the poverty guideline unless the commission approves an income waiver. Provides that an applicant must establish that the applicant has incurred a genuine hardship to be eligible to receive assistance from the fund. Provides that the department or commission may impose stipulations or conditions concerning an applicant seeking an award from the fund. Makes changes to the subject matter that must be included in administrative rules established by the commission. Makes certain changes relating to the review of grants from the fund to employees of the department. Provides that an applicant may appeal a denied request for short term financial assistance from the fund. Authorizes the adjutant general of the Indiana National Guard (adjutant general) to establish a military police force of the Indiana National Guard. Provides that a member of the military police force of the Indiana National Guard has police powers: (1) when the member is called to state active duty; and (2) if the individual successfully completes either army or air military police occupational training and receives qualifying instruction on Indiana law enforcement prescribed by the adjutant general. Requires the military police force of the Indiana National Guard, upon authorization, to respond in accordance with the National Incident Management System and in coordination with the Indiana state police. Makes changes to the authorized duties and responsibilities of the adjutant general in which the state armory board (board) may make contributions. Provides that the board may utilize any and all appropriate methods to lease or purchase real estate. Provides that an armory may not be erected on land that is leased for less than 25 years. (Current law provides that an armory may not be erected on land that is leased for less than 50 years.) Provides that the board may adopt policies or procedures for the use and governance of armories. (Current law authorizes the board to adopt rules for the use and governance of armories.) Specifies the types of donated property that the board may reconvey if the board determines that the property is no longer usable. Provides that if the board receives from the adjutant general information of the disbandment of the organization of the armed forces of Indiana occupying and using an armory, the board shall take charge of the armory. Makes various changes to provisions relating to the sale of property owned by the board. Establishes the Indiana civilian cyber corps program (program) as a subdivision of the Indiana guard reserve. Provides that the program includes civilian volunteers who have expertise in addressing cybersecurity incidents and who volunteer at the invitation of the adjutant general. Provides that the work product of a civilian cyber corps volunteer or adviser, including any information voluntarily submitted to the volunteer or adviser, is exempt from disclosure. Provides that a civilian cyber corps volunteer or adviser is immune from tort liability for an injury to a person or damage to property that occurs while the volunteer or adviser is deployed and acting on behalf of the adjutant general if certain conditions are met. Provides that the adjutant general may appoint additional general officers. (Current law authorizes the appointment of assistant adjutants general.) Changes the definitions of "veteran" for purposes of provisions relating to: (1) the governor's commission on supplier diversity; (2) the state civil service system; and (3) authorizing preference points for the appointment of veterans. Removes a requirement that the National Guard tuition supplement grant must be used within eight years after the date the individual first applies and becomes eligible for benefits. Repeals: (1) the Indiana cyber civilian corps program advisory board; (2) a provision relating to contracts to use Stout Field as a commercial runway; (3) a definition of "qualified service member"; (4) a provision requiring a muffler or underwater exhaust for a boat; and (5) a provision prohibiting the use of a boat motor equipped with a muffler cutout or bypass. Makes it a Class B misdemeanor for a person to knowingly or intentionally possess an imitation firearm: (1) in or on school property; or (2) on a school bus. Makes technical corrections and conforming amendments.