STATEHOUSE (Sept. 3, 2025) – Gov. Mike Braun recently ceremonially signed into law a bill sponsored by State Rep. Michelle Davis (R-Whiteland) aimed at further protecting the rights of property owners dealing with squatters on their property.
Senate Enrolled Act 157 establishes new legal procedures for removing squatters and unauthorized individuals from residential properties. The law introduces an affidavit process that allows property owners to request the immediate removal of squatters.
"Property owners shouldn't have to go through a long and costly process to reclaim what's rightfully theirs," Davis said. "This new law gives law enforcement the tools they need to act quickly and swiftly, while ensuring due process, so we can make sure the property rights of Hoosiers are upheld."
Davis said this legislation requires law enforcement to dispatch an officer to remove a squatter within 48 hours after an affidavit is received. Five other states including Alabama, Tennessee, Florida, Georgia, and West Virginia have enacted similar legislation to address the rise in squatters with 11 other states filing similar bills.
To learn more about SEA 157 and other new laws signed by the governor, click here.
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State Rep. Michelle Davis (R-Whiteland) represents House District 58,
which includes a portion of Johnson County.
Click here to download a high-resolution photo.
PHOTO CAPTION: State Rep. Michelle Davis (R-Whiteland) (far right) joins Gov. Mike Braun (center), bill authors State Sens. Scott Baldwin (R-Noblesville) (far left) and Mike Gaskill (R-Pendleton) (second from left), and fellow bill sponsor State Rep. Joanna King (R-Middlebury) (second from right) for the ceremonial signing of a new law aimed at further protecting the rights of Hoosier property owners. The signing took place on Wednesday, Aug. 27, 2025, at the Statehouse in Indianapolis.
