STATEHOUSE (July 7, 2023) – New state laws supporting Hoosiers and backed by State Reps. Michael Aylesworth (R-Hebron) and Sharon Negele (R-Attica) during the 2023 legislative session are now in effect.
"We kept our promise to be fiscally responsible, empower students and families, lower health care costs and improve critical services," Aylesworth said. "These new laws will make a real difference in the lives of Hoosiers."
Most legislation passed during the recent session took effect at the beginning of the state's new fiscal year on July 1.
Under the state's newly passed state budget, taxpayers are expected to save an estimated $430 million over the next two years via tax relief passed during the legislative session. Thanks to the acceleration of individual state income tax cuts, hardworking Hoosiers will have one of the lowest rates in the nation by 2027. Indiana's K-12 spending makes up about half of the state's $44.6 billion budget, and lawmakers supported increasing student funding by 10% over the next two years. In addition, parents will no longer pay textbook and curricular fees.
"These new laws will make Indiana a better place to live, work and raise a family," Negele said. "We worked hard to address a wide range of issues like increasing mental health treatment options and supporting a diverse energy plan that looks out for Hoosier consumers."
Local lawmakers highlighted the following new laws:
Supporting a Diverse Energy Plan
Indiana's new statewide energy plan is based on five pillars, including reliability, resiliency, stability, affordability and environmental sustainability. Negele, co-author of House Enrolled Act 1007, said to ensure the dependability of future energy sources, utilities will also have to increase their electric generating capacity to cover demand within their territory even in extreme weather events.
Increasing Mental Health Treatment
Law enforcement will have the ability to refer low-risk, non-violent individuals suffering from a mental illness, or impairment from drugs and alcohol to the nearest mental health facility instead of the county jail. Individuals will not be turned away due to an inability to pay for services. Local mental health and addiction referral programs will also be available to help those who are incarcerated get treatment.
Supporting Vulnerable Newborns
Currently, infants surrendered under Indiana's safe haven laws are taken into custody by the Department of Child Services before being placed. Moving forward, a child-placing agency could also take custody to help connect vulnerable newborns with adoptive families more quickly.
Lowering Health Care Costs
Aylesworth said in an effort to lower patient and employer costs, there will be greater transparency and oversight of Indiana's largest hospital systems through a new Health Care Cost Oversight Task Force. Health care costs will be further contained by prohibiting billing practices that often result in a higher hospital price being charged for nonhospital-based services. Physicians will also receive more support for starting an independent practice, which could increase health care options and lower costs.
Visit iga.in.gov to learn more about these and other new state laws now in effect.
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State Rep. Michael Aylesworth (R-Hebron) represents House District 11,
which includes portions of Jasper, Lake, Newton and Porter counties.
Click here to download a high-resolution photo.
State Rep. Sharon Negele (R-Attica) represents House District 13,
which includes all of Benton and Warren counties, and portions of
Fountain, Jasper, Montgomery, Newton, Tippecanoe and White counties.
Click here to download a high-resolution photo.
