SB 285 IN

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Became Law

Requires the Indiana housing and community development authority (authority) to establish eligibility criteria for a potential recipient to be included in the authority's application for funding under the federal continuum of care program (program). Requires a recipient of program funding to submit an annual report to the authority. Defines "gravely disabled" for purposes of involuntary commitment. Prohibits an individual from camping, sleeping, or using for long term shelter land owned by the state or a political subdivision, unless the land has been authorized for that use by law. Requires a law enforcement officer who discovers a person unlawfully using land owned by the state or a political subdivision for unlawful camping, sleeping, or long term shelter to determine if there are reasonable grounds for an emergency detention of the person, and, if reasonable grounds exist, to proceed under the emergency detention procedure and not the criminal law. Provides that, if there are not grounds for emergency detention and certain elements are met, a person who knowingly or intentionally uses land owned by the state or a political subdivision for unauthorized camping, sleeping, or long term shelter commits a Class C misdemeanor. Creates a defense to the crime if: (1) no beds are available in a shelter or treatment facility located within five miles; or (2) less than six months have passed since the person was released from a facility to which the person was involuntarily committed. Prohibits a political subdivision from adopting or enforcing any policy that prohibits or discourages the enforcement of any order or ordinance prohibiting public camping, sleeping, or other obstruction of a sidewalk. Requires: (1) each local law enforcement agency to provide to the state police department the number of arrests made for violations of the prohibition of street camping; and (2) the state police department to provide this information to the authority. Specifies that the bill does not prohibit a policy, program, or order of a political subdivision that encourages a diversion program or encourages or requires providing housing or shelter in lieu of a citation or arrest. Makes technical corrections.

• Cyndi Carrasco Republican · author
• Eric Koch Republican · author
• Alex Zimmerman Republican · sponsor

1. Jan 12, 2026 First reading: referred to Committee on Judiciary · upper
2. Jan 12, 2026 Senator Koch added as second author · upper
3. Jan 12, 2026 Authored by Senator Carrasco · upper
4. Jan 15, 2026 Committee report: amend do pass, adopted · upper
5. Jan 26, 2026 Amendment #3 (Pol) failed; voice vote · upper
6. Jan 26, 2026 Amendment #6 (Carrasco) prevailed; voice vote · upper
7. Jan 26, 2026 Amendment #2 (Pol) failed; voice vote · upper
8. Jan 26, 2026 Amendment #4 (Pol) failed; voice vote · upper
9. Jan 26, 2026 Amendment #5 (Taylor G) failed; voice vote · upper
10. Jan 26, 2026 Second reading: amended, ordered engrossed · upper
11. Jan 27, 2026 Senator Baldwin added as coauthor · upper
12. Jan 28, 2026 Third reading: passed; Roll Call 129: yeas 29, nays 19 · upper
13. Jan 28, 2026 House sponsor: Representative Miller D · upper
14. Jan 29, 2026 Referred to the House · upper
15. Feb 2, 2026 First reading: referred to Committee on Courts and Criminal Code · lower
16. Feb 18, 2026 Representative Miller D added as cosponsor · lower
17. Feb 18, 2026 Representative Miller D removed as sponsor · lower
18. Feb 18, 2026 Representative Zimmerman added as sponsor · lower
19. Feb 19, 2026 Committee report: amend do pass, adopted · lower
20. Feb 23, 2026 Representative Davis added as cosponsor · lower
21. Feb 23, 2026 Amendment #2 (Zimmerman) prevailed; voice vote · lower
22. Feb 23, 2026 Amendment #3 (Zimmerman) prevailed; voice vote · lower
23. Feb 23, 2026 Amendment #5 (Gore) failed; voice vote · lower
24. Feb 23, 2026 Amendment #1 (Pierce M) failed; Roll Call 333: yeas 31, nays 62 · lower
25. Feb 23, 2026 Second reading: amended, ordered engrossed · lower
26. Feb 24, 2026 Third reading: passed; Roll Call 359: yeas 53, nays 44 · lower
27. Feb 25, 2026 Returned to the Senate with amendments · lower
28. Feb 25, 2026 Motion to concur filed · upper
29. Feb 26, 2026 Senate concurred with House amendments; Roll Call 303: yeas 28, nays 22 · upper
30. Feb 27, 2026 Signed by the President of the Senate · upper
31. Feb 27, 2026 Signed by the President Pro Tempore · upper
32. Mar 5, 2026 Public Law 138 · upper
33. Mar 5, 2026 Signed by the Governor · executive
34. Feb 27, 2026 Signed by the Speaker · lower