STATEHOUSE (July 2, 2024) – As summer kicks off in Indiana, local lawmakers want Hoosiers to know about a wide range of new state laws that took effect this week.
State Rep. David Abbott (R-Rome City) said most new laws passed during the 2024 legislative session took effect July 1, including increasing Indiana's teacher pipeline. Hoosiers who want to make a career switch and go into teaching can apply for Transition to Teaching Scholarships. To be eligible for a one-time, non-renewable scholarship of up to $10,000, applicants pursuing a transition to teaching certification must have a bachelor's degree, agree to obtain an initial practitioner license and teach in Indiana for at least five years.
"With the Transition to Teaching Scholarships, Hoosier professionals will have the opportunity to receive financial support if they decide to make a career change into teaching," Abbott said. "This means that as the demand rises, Indiana will have a stronger pipeline of qualified educators with a passion for teaching."
State Rep. Ben Smaltz (R-Auburn) said lawmakers took action on a wide range of hot-button issues this year like protecting Hoosier farmland. To help protect Indiana's farmland and food supply chain, individuals or entities associated with foreign adversaries like Russia and China will be banned from purchasing or leasing agricultural land, and mineral, water or riparian rights. China, Russia, North Korea and Iran will also be prevented from purchasing or leasing land within a 10-mile radius of military installations.
"We heard the growing concern in our local communities about the access that foreign adversaries have to purchasing our food sources," Smaltz said. "This new law takes a stand against countries like China, North Korea and Russia to ensure they can't buy Indiana farmland."
Local lawmakers also highlighted the following new laws:
Curbing Surprise Ambulance Bills
More Hoosiers will soon be protected from surprise bills from out-of-network ambulance providers. Health insurance companies will be required to reimburse ambulance providers regardless of whether the provider was in- or out-of-network. Copays and deductible payments for out-of-network services will also be capped at in-network rates.
To help protect Indiana's elections, officials will have more tools to maintain accurate and up-to-date voter registration lists. Also, proof of citizenship will be required for individuals registering with temporary IDs and first-time voters will be required to provide proof of residency.
"We took steps this year to safeguard the integrity of Indiana's already strong election processes," said State Rep. Denny Zent (R-Angola). "We want to make sure that only citizens cast a ballot and our voter rolls are updated."
Visit iga.in.gov to learn more about these and other new state laws.
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State Rep. David Abbott (R-Rome City) represents House District 18, which
includes portions of Elkhart, Kosciusko, Noble and Whitley counties.
Click here to download a high-resolution photo.
State Rep. Ben Smaltz (R-Auburn) represents House District 52, which
includes all of DeKalb County, and portions of Noble and Steuben counties.
Click here to download a high-resolution photo.
State Rep. Denny Zent (R-Angola) represents House District 51,
which includes all of LaGrange County and a portion of Steuben County.
Click here to download a high-resolution photo.
