New laws took effect July 1

Libbie Stratton, 16, of Holton, took advantage of the new law allowing teenagers to get their driver’s license at the exact age of 16, rather than waiting 90 days after their 16th birthday. She is the daughter of Andy and Cathie Stratton and their first licensed driver!

With the temperatures soaring last week, the Dogs in hot cars House Bill 1165 went into effect. People can now break into another person’s car to rescue pets who are suffering in the sun and not face any liability or damage costs. This new law also increases the penalties up to a level six felony for animal abuse. It expands definitions for proper animal care, including added clauses concerning animal hoarding and killing law enforcement animals.

Many new laws took effect in Indiana on July 1. One such law is the Public Camping Ban. This means that those who have been sleeping or camping on state and local government property can now receive a misdemeanor charge for doing so. These people are mostly homeless and are looking for a place to sleep or rest. This is more prevalent in larger cities but includes the entire state. They could face a $500 fine and up to 60 days in jail if they refuse temporary housing.

New mandates now require local governments and businesses to cooperate with federal immigration enforcement. They are now to bar employers from hiring someone knowing they are in the country illegally.

Under the new laws Indiana National Guard members have the same rights and abilities as law enforcement officers when and/or if the Governor considers it necessary.

Senate Bill 140 (Doxxing) amends the definition of “threat” in the intimidation statute to include posting a person’s personal information on a social media platform with intent to cause injury or damage or prompt a crime. It increases the penalty for intimidation if this is committed against an elected official.

Something that has caused controversy across the nation is the new SNAP restrictions. SNAP is the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, many refer to as “food stamps.” SNAP recipients cannot use their benefits to buy candy and soft drinks etc. A new law ends SNAP participation for households earning above the income threshold who already receive non-cash assistance. Further, you must be a resident of the United States and provide information on nonresident household members’ incomes to determine a person’s Medicaid eligibility.

Concerning data centers: House Bill 1210 gives incentive to data center projects by requiring developers to give local governments one percent of their sales-tax-exemption savings from electricity bills. It also bans rental cap ordinances, limiting rental properties to encourage single-family homes, except for homeowner’s associations.

A “bell-to-bell” ban is now in place for cell phone in public and charter schools. This means students must keep personal devices that include cellphone, tablets, and/or smartwatches powered off and stored away during the school day.

County fairs are now permitted to sell alcohol, provided they have obtained the appropriate local permits.

There are many other new laws in place but these are a few that have direct impact on many Hoosiers.