Here's what House Democrats accomplished for you this session
Dear neighbor,
Since the 2025 legislative session wrapped up two weeks ago, here are all the bills authored by members of the Indiana House Democratic Caucus that made it to the governor’s desk.
This year, House Democrats passed 14 bills! From making our schools safer to supporting small businesses, here is a rundown of our successes:
Health Care
House Enrolled Act 1065, authored by Rep. Robin Shackleford (D-Indianapolis), allows independent, private third parties to cover costs for patients taking part in cancer clinical trials. This legislation ensures Hoosiers can afford life-saving, ground-breaking treatment that best fits their needs.
HEA 1226, authored by Rep. Wendy Dant Chesser (D-Jeffersonville), provides cost-saving opportunities to seniors by allowing them to take advantage of “The Birthday Rule” for their Medicare Supplement insurance. This means Medigap enrollees can switch providers without medical underwriting within 60 days of their birthday as long as they maintain the same type of lettered Medicare Supplement plan. No underwriting means insurers don’t assess an individual’s risk or medical history, reducing the chance seniors are denied coverage when they switch plans.
Education and Youth
HEA 1376, authored by Rep. Pat Boy (D-Michigan City), changes the definition of "emergency medication" in the Indiana Code. It expands access to life-saving medication in schools by clarifying that "a federal Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved opioid overdose reversal medication" can be made available in schools, rather than only Naloxone. It’s important that these life-saving medications are available in our schools in case of an emergency.
HEA 1441, authored by Rep. Chris Campbell (D-West Lafayette), allows foster and emancipated youth at least 16 years of age to open a bank account without an adult co-signer, if they’re found responsible by the court. This bill ensures our youth who may not have a stable, constant guardian are in control of their finances.
Public Safety
HEA 1095, authored by Rep. Earl Harris Jr. (D-East Chicago), expands the Indiana Crime Guns Task Force to include Lake County, helping Northwest Indiana combat violent crime.
HEA 1297, authored by Rep. Sue Errington (D-Muncie), creates the voluntary Yellow Dot Motor Vehicle Medical Information Program. The program is designed to provide first responders with vital medical information during accidents. A yellow dot decal on the outside of the car informs EMTs, police officers and firefighters that medical information is in the car’s glovebox. Indiana is the 20th state to start a Yellow Dot program.
HEA 1416, authored by Rep. John Bartlett (D-Indianapolis), requires safety rest areas, gas stations and welcome centers to display human trafficking awareness information.
Economic Development
HEA 1289, authored by Rep. Carey Hamilton (D-Indianapolis), ensures Indiana receives federal resources to support Employment Social Enterprises (ESEs), entities that offer employment with specific missions. This means organizations that strengthen our workforce and reduce recidivism have better access to federal funding.
HEA 1292, also authored by Rep. Earl Harris Jr., establishes the Northwest Indiana Professional Sports Development Commission. The bill creates a commission to study various plans and recommendations to create or move a professional sports franchise in Northwest Indiana.
Environment
HB 1380, also authored by Rep. Pat Boy, exempts motor-driven cycles and lightweight electric vehicles from the annual electric vehicle supplement fee. Hoosiers with smaller electric vehicles or scooters won’t have to pay a fee intended for full-size electric cars.
Saving Taxpayers’ Money
HB 1280, authored by Rep. Mitch Gore (D-Indianapolis), extends the state income tax exemption to additional members of the U.S. Uniformed Services. This means that all Hoosiers who serve are eligible for a tax exemption.
HB 1518, also authored by Rep. Mitch Gore, prevents state government entities and officials from buying luxury or high-trim level vehicles. This bill comes after Lt. Gov. Micah Beckwith and Secretary of State Diego Morales (SOS) both spent $90,000 each on SUVs with “all the bells and whistles.” You can read a story about it here.
Privacy Rights
HB 1148, authored by Rep. Gregory Porter (D-Indianapolis), provides that a registration or certificate of a birth or stillbirth remains confidential for 99 years after the record is created, replacing 75 years. With longer life expectancies, individuals are outliving the 75-year requirement.
Supporting Small Business
HB 1468, authored by Rep. Kyle Miller (D-Fort Wayne), allows small tobacco vendors to sell cigars at events on a temporary basis.
Additionally, I was the co-author/co-sponsor on six bills that passed this session.
House Bill 1024: Extends Medicaid reimbursement for certain out-of-state children’s hospitals.
House Bill 1197: Adds guardrails to the process of appointing candidates to vacant elected offices.
House Bill 1273: Establishes the child welfare task force.
House Bill 1601: Extends the state sales tax exemption to include investments in quantum computing research projects that boost our state economy.
Senate Bill 193: Requires inspection of confined feeding operations to ensure they are safe for the environment and do not pose risks to surrounding residents.
Senate Bill 459: Protects the cybersecurity of wastewater treatment facilities.
Thank You for Your Support and Advocacy!
Thank you to everyone who attended our town halls, contacted our offices or visited the Statehouse as an advocate. Over the past four months, I have had the opportunity to hear directly from all of you about the needs in our community, our state and our nation. I’m grateful to represent such an involved, proactive and informed community. I appreciate hearing everyone’s perspective, even those that differ from mine, since I represent everyone in House District 1. Thank you for your support this legislative session!
