STATEHOUSE (April 1, 2026) – Today, the governor ceremonially signed a new law authored by State Rep. Wendy McNamara (R-Evansville) which increases penalties for child exploiters and abusers and giving law enforcement an additional tool to find high-risk missing children.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 1 in 4 girls and 1 in 20 boys in the U.S. are estimated to experience child sexual abuse. Additionally, research from Thorn, a nonprofit that builds technologies to defend children from exploitation online, showed 1 in 4 children reported being solicited to engage in sexual activity over the internet in exchange for something before turning 18.
McNamara said House Enrolled Act 1303 establishes a dedicated section in the Indiana Code for child sexual abuse material offenses and creates a new crime for distribution of CSAM. These changes include elevating the penalty for child exploitation from a Level 5 to a Level 4 felony and raising possession of CSAM material in certain instances to a Level 4 felony.
"These predators can do lifelong damage to children, and in the digital age, it is unfortunately easier than ever for these dangers to find our most vulnerable," McNamara said. "Through these legal enhancements, we can ensure such criminals face the proper penalties and get justice for their victims."
Kristine Cordts, executive director of Holly’s House, a non-residential child and adult advocacy center for victims of intimate crimes, said this law is a great step toward finding justice for victims. She invites Hoosiers to attend a Digital Safety Summit from 5-8 p.m. April 24 at Central High School, where community members can meet with local service providers to learn more about how to keep children safe online.
“The Digital Safety Summit brings together law enforcement, prosecutors, educators, youth-serving organizations, clergy, parents and teens to discuss the tidal wave of online solicitation changing behaviors in our community," Cordts said. "Our goal is simple: identify solutions and multiply them in our community to keep children safe.”
The new law also 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.
To learn more about HEA 1303 and other new laws passed during the 2026 legislative session, visit iga.in.gov.
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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.
