STATEHOUSE (April 1, 2026) – The governor recently ceremonially signed into law bills authored by State Reps. Wendy McNamara (R-Evansville) and Bob Behning (R-Indianapolis) to bolster protections for young Hoosiers following the tragic death of an Indiana teenager.
Hailey Buzbee, a 17-year-old from Fishers, disappeared from her home earlier this year and was found dead in Ohio. Police believe a man from Ohio communicated with Buzbee for more than a year through digital gaming platforms before driving to Indiana to meet her. Buzbee's family, who advocated for the new laws, joined lawmakers and the governor at the ceremonial bill signings.
McNamara's House Enrolled Act 1303 adds "high-risk missing persons" to the definition of "missing child" for Indiana's Silver Alert system, which will help raise awareness across the state to find youth believed to be in danger. It also establishes a dedicated section in Indiana Code for child sexual abuse material offenses and creates a new crime for distribution of CSAM.
"Our law enforcement officers need every tool available in cases of missing children who could be in dangerous situations," McNamara said. "These enhancements can help locate missing children quicker and ensure predators face the toughest penalties for the damage they do to young Hoosiers and their families."
House Enrolled Act 1408, authored by Behning, creates a framework to protect minors on social media. It requires parental consent before children under 16 can open social media accounts and restricts addictive or harmful platform features including manipulative algorithms, compulsive engagement loops and unsafe online interactions. Under the law, violations are treated as deceptive acts, giving the state clear enforcement authority.
"We've seen overwhelming evidence that children are experiencing significant mental health issues related to their use of these social media platforms," Behning said. "Parents need additional oversight over how their kids are using social media and these companies must be held more accountable for the harm their products are causing to young people."
Fishers-area lawmakers also helped advance these reforms during the 2026 legislative session, including State Rep. Chris Jeter’s (R-Fishers) work to strengthen Indiana’s missing children’s alert system, while supporting broader efforts to improve online protections for minors.
"Hailey Buzbee was a part of our Fishers community and her loss has deeply impacted so many families across the state," Jeter said. "I was proud to help advance these protections to make online spaces safer for kids and give parents more ability to stay involved. These laws are about preventing tragedies like this and holding those who prey on young people fully accountable."
To learn more about these and other new laws passed during the 2026 legislative session, visit iga.in.gov.
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State Rep. Bob Behning (R-Indianapolis) represents House District 91,
which includes a portion of Marion County.
Click here to download a high-resolution photo.
State Rep. Chris Jeter (R-Fishers) represents House District 88,
which includes portions of Hamilton, Hancock, Madison and Marion counties.
Click here to download a high-resolution photo.
State Rep. Wendy McNamara (R-Evansville) represents House District 76,
which includes all of Posey County and a portion of Vanderburgh County.
Click here to download a high-resolution photo.
PHOTO CAPTION: State lawmakers, officials and members of the Indiana State Police join Gov. Mike Braun for ceremonial signings of House Enrolled Acts 1303 and 1408 on Wednesday, April 1, 2026, in the governor's office at the Statehouse. Legislators passed laws this session to improve protections for Hoosier youth following the tragic death of Fishers teenager Hailey Buzbee.
