This session, I'm focused on commonsense and straightforward solutions that could help better protect Hoosiers in a variety of ways, including preventing hostile foreign influence, increasing human trafficking awareness, holding drug dealers more accountable and stomping out antisemitism.
I authored House Bill 1177 to prohibit the state from contracting with people from hostile countries for goods and services, and the bill would ban individuals and entities from China, Iran, North Korea, Russia or other countries deemed a threat to our state from buying land in Indiana. Other states are already taking action to protect their security and interests. Indiana must do the same.
Human trafficking is one of the fastest-growing criminal enterprises in the world, and Indiana isn't immune to this problem. Our prime location as the Crossroads of America and reputation for hosting major conventions and sporting events means we're not only attracting visitors but traffickers looking to capitalize. We must do everything we can to protect young women and girls from this scourge. That's why I collaborated with the lodging industry on to craft legislation to require owners of hotels to train their employees on how to recognize and report potential human trafficking situations.
States like North Carolina have seen real estate companies use predatory practices to lock seniors and cash-strapped homeowners into exclusive, years-long service contracts that can be binding on future owners and add liens on property if they attempt to break the contract. To ensure vulnerable Hoosiers like seniors are protected, I authored House Bill 1222 to void contracts like these if services aren't rendered within one year. Homeownership is often a person's largest financial investment, and they shouldn't have to worry about falling prey to unscrupulous businesses seeking to lock them into agreements that could hinder their ability to sell.
I also authored House Bill 1223 to hold drug dealers more accountable and prevent drug-related injuries and deaths. In Indiana, a person can be charged with the most severe felony for dealing drugs that result in death. It's considered a Level 1 felony and an individual can be sentenced up to 40 years in prison and pay a $10,000 fine. However, dealers who cause injuries are typically charged with the lowest level felonies, like a Level 5 or 6, and the sentence range starts at just six months. My legislation would enhance that penalty to a Level 2 felony, which carries a sentence ranging from 10 to 30 years in prison. Until the federal government does a better job of slowing the flow of dangerous drugs like fentanyl into our country, this is another step we can take to hold drug dealers accountable in Indiana.
According to the Anti-Defamation League, reports of antisemitic events have increased by nearly 360% since the Israel-Hamas war began in October 2023. To weed out antisemitism, I authored House Bill 1224 to define the concept and make it a discriminatory practice. The proposed definition is already adopted by the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance. Under the bill, the Indiana Civil Rights Commission would include the concept of antisemitism in its educational program on the harmful effects of prejudice against minority groups. With the rise of antisemitism across our state and nation, we must renew our focus on this issue.
I look forward to tackling these and other important issues during the legislative session, which must conclude by March 14. You can follow the legislation and watch committee and session by visiting iga.in.gov. You can also visit my website at in.gov/h57 and sign up for my e-newsletter to receive updates on legislation and government programs. Constituents with questions or feedback can contact me at 317-232-9600 or h57@iga.in.gov.
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State Rep. Craig Haggard (R-Mooresville) represents House District 57,
which includes portions of Hendricks, Johnson and Morgan counties.
Click here to download a high-resolution photo.
