As summer kicks off in Indiana, local lawmakers want Hoosiers to know about a wide range of new state laws taking effect Monday.
State District 69 Rep. Jim Lucas, R-Seymour, said most new laws passed during the 2024 legislative session take effect Monday, including honoring first responders.
Indiana will recognize firefighters, emergency medical responders, law enforcement and other first responders who go above and beyond the call of duty through the creation of the Hoosier First Responder Medal of Honor. The award also could be presented to the families of first responders who made the ultimate sacrifice for our state.
“Whether it’s one of Indiana’s firefighters, law enforcement or other first responders, these Hoosiers put their lives on the line to help in an emergency,” said Lucas, who authored the new law. “To honor those who have made the ultimate sacrifice, this award will serve as a way to help give these heroes the recognition they deserve.”
State District 62 Rep. Dave Hall, R-Norman, said lawmakers took action on a wide range of hot-button issues this year like boosting student reading proficiency. Currently, 1 in 5 Hoosier third graders struggle to read. Data shows that individuals with low literacy earn less money, have poorer health and go to prison at higher rates than their peers. To improve reading rates, the state will strengthen its remediation efforts and offer more targeted classroom support starting in second grade. Schools will also be required to offer summer courses to help with reading beginning this year.
“Literacy is one of the core pillars to our students’ success both in and out of the classroom,” Hall said. “By bolstering Indiana’s efforts to improve reading rates, we can ensure they have a stronger foundation to grow from.”
Local lawmakers also highlighted the following new laws:
Protecting Hoosier Farmland
To help protect Indiana’s farmland and food supply chain, individuals or entities associated with foreign adversaries like Russia and China will be banned from purchasing or leasing agricultural land, and mineral, water or riparian rights. China, Russia, North Korea and Iran will also be prevented from purchasing or leasing land within a 10-mile radius of military installations.
Cutting Government Red Tape
Food truck operators raised concerns about the patchwork of regulatory ordinances and costly fees from county to county, which can make it difficult to operate and expand their mobile businesses. To simplify permitting for food trucks, counties will be required to create a permit that follows universal state standards and is capped at a $200 fee.
“We need to continue making it as simple as possible for businesses of all sizes to grow in our state,” said State Rep. Chris May (R-Bedford). “Capping fees and streamlining the permitting process for food trucks can help these entrepreneurs flourish without having to jump through so many hoops.”
Visit iga.in.gov to learn more about these and other new state laws.