Back to Indiana

SB131 • 2026

A BILL FOR AN ACT to amend the Indiana Code concerning human services.

A BILL FOR AN ACT to amend the Indiana Code concerning human services.

Healthcare
Passed Legislature

This bill passed both chambers and reached final enrollment, even if later executive action is not shown here.

Sponsor
Senator Andrea Hunley
Last action
2026-01-05
Official status
Introduced Senate Bill (S)
Effective date
Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

The exact duties of the ombudsman are not fully detailed in the provided official summary.

Creating a Psychiatric Care Ombudsman Office

This bill requires the establishment of an ombudsman office to assist people in psychiatric hospitals, sets rules for the ombudsman's duties and creates penalties for rule violations.

What This Bill Does

  • Requires the division of mental health and addiction to establish a psychiatric care ombudsman office.
  • The secretary of family and social services will appoint someone to run this office.
  • Sets forth rules regarding the powers and duties of the ombudsman concerning psychiatric hospitals and patients.
  • Creates criminal penalties for violations of these rules.

Who It Names or Affects

  • People who work at the division of mental health and addiction
  • The secretary of family and social services
  • Patients in psychiatric hospitals

Terms To Know

Ombudsman
A person whose job is to help people solve problems with government agencies or organizations.
Psychiatric hospital
A place where doctors treat patients who have mental health issues.

Limits and Unknowns

  • The bill does not specify the exact duties of the ombudsman.
  • It is unclear how much funding will be allocated for this new office.

Bill History

  1. 2026-01-05 Senate

    Authored by Senator Hunley

  2. 2026-01-05 Senate

    First reading: referred to Committee on Health and Provider Services

Official Summary Text

A BILL FOR AN ACT to amend the Indiana Code concerning human services.
Psychiatric care ombudsman.

Current Bill Text

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

Psychiatric care ombudsman.

Requires: (1) the division of mental health and addiction to establish the psychiatric care ombudsman office (office); and (2) the office of the secretary of family and social services to appoint the psychiatric care ombudsman. Sets forth the powers and duties of the office concerning psychiatric hospitals and patients of psychiatric hospitals. Creates a criminal penalty.