STATEHOUSE (July 2, 2024) – As summer kicks off in Indiana, State Reps. David Abbott (R-Rome City) and Chris Judy (R-Fort Wayne) want Hoosiers to know about a wide range of new state laws that took effect this week.
Abbott 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."
Judy 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
"It's a growing national concern that our country's foreign adversaries are buying up critical land," Judy said. "That's why we took strong steps to protect Indiana's farmland from bad actors and support generations of farm families within our district and statewide."
Abbott and Judy also highlighted the following new laws:
More low-income Hoosier parents will be eligible to access safe and affordable child care that best fits their needs. Full-time child care workers and those training to enter the field will be eligible for help to cover the costs of care for their children or enroll their 4-year-old in a high-quality, pre-K program.
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.
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. Chris Judy (R-Fort Wayne) represents House District 83,
which includes portions of Allen and Whitley counties.
Click here to download a high-resolution photo.
