Recently, the governor ceremonially signed into law new legislation authored by State Reps. Wendy McNamara (R-Evansville) and Bob Behning (R-Indianapolis) aimed at strengthening protections for young Hoosiers. These measures build on ongoing efforts by Indiana lawmakers to improve public safety and hold offenders accountable.
The tragic loss of Hailey Buzbee, a 17-year-old from Fishers, brought renewed attention to the dangers young people can face both online and in their communities. Her story prompted action at the Statehouse to better protect minors and prevent similar tragedies in the future.
One of the new laws, House Enrolled Act 1303, enhances Indiana’s missing persons alert system. It adds the definition of a missing child to include “high-risk missing persons,” helping law enforcement quickly share information and mobilize the public when a child may be in danger. The law also strengthens penalties related to child sexual abuse material and creates a new offense for its distribution.
Another new law, HEA 1408, creates stronger safeguards for minors using social media platforms. It requires parental consent for children under 16 to create accounts and limits harmful features that can contribute to compulsive use or unsafe interactions. These changes are designed to give parents more oversight while holding companies accountable for protecting young users.
Fishers-area lawmakers also helped advance these reforms during the 2026 legislative session, supporting broader efforts to improve online protections and strengthen tools available to law enforcement.
These new laws reflect a continued commitment to protecting children and ensuring families have the resources and safeguards they need. By increasing awareness, strengthening accountability and improving prevention efforts, Indiana is taking important steps to help keep young people safe.
According to the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children, Indiana has consistently seen strong recovery outcomes for missing children, with more than 90% found safely, highlighting the importance of quickly sharing information when a child goes missing.
To learn more about these and other new laws passed during the 2026 legislative session, click here.
