STATEHOUSE (March 5, 2025) – The Indiana House unanimously passed State Rep. J.D. Prescott's (R-Union City) legislation that would require law enforcement agencies to notify property owners of any damage to their property from a motor vehicle accident, or if any debris from a motor vehicle accident is left on their property.
House Bill 1012 aims to boost communication between law enforcement and Hoosier property owners when accidents cause damage to their property. With nearly two-thirds of Indiana's 23 million acres being farmland, Prescott said property owners with expansive land may not be aware if an accident occurs leaving damage to their property.
"Debris left from a vehicle accident that goes unnoticed by farmers can cause extensive damage to their land," Prescott said. "I authored this bill to help make sure proper notice is given to landowners by authorities when accidents occur on their property and cause damage, especially Hoosier farmland owners."
House Bill 1012 would establish a requirement for all Indiana law enforcement agencies to adopt protocols requiring them to notify the property owners either by phone or letter when they respond to a motor vehicle accident with property damage involved.
Prescott said the bill would also provide protection for law enforcement when an agency fails to follow the notification protocols through no fault of their own.
To learn more about this legislation, follow session or watch a committee meeting, visit iga.in.gov.
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State Rep. J.D. Prescott (R-Union City) represents House District 33,
which includes all of Blackford and Randolph counties,
and portions of Delaware, Henry and Jay counties.
Click here to download a high-resolution photo.
