Indiana legislation · 2026 Regular Session
Indiana SB261: Criminal vandalism.
Status: Signed into law, March 5, 2026
Renames the crime of "criminal mischief" to "criminal vandalism". Repeals: (1) institutional criminal mischief; (2) cemetery mischief; (3) railroad mischief; and (4) critical infrastructure facility mischief; places them in the "criminal vandalism" statute, and preserves the original penalties and defenses. Repeals and places provisions involving damage to a cave in the criminal vandalism statute. Repeals and places provisions involving depositing refuse in a cave in the littering statute. Makes conforming amendments.
What the bill says
An act to amend the Indiana Code concerning criminal law and procedure.
From the enrolled text:
AN ACT to amend the Indiana Code concerning criminal law and procedure. SECTION 1. IC 9-24-2-2.5, AS AMENDED BY P.L.257-2017, SECTION 38, IS AMENDED TO READ AS FOLLOWS [EFFECTIVE JULY 1, 2026]: Sec. 2.5. (a) The bureau shall suspend the driving privileges or invalidate the learner's permit of an individual who is under an order entered by a court under IC 35-43-1-2(d). IC 35-43-1-2(i). (b) The bureau shall suspend the driving privileges or invalidate the learner's permit of an individual who is the subject of an order issued under IC 31-37-19-17 (or IC 31-6-4-15.9(f) before its repeal) or IC 35-43-1-2(d). IC 35-43-1-2(i). SECTION 2. IC 31-9-2-29.5, AS AMENDED BY P.L.65-2016, SECTION 12, IS AMENDED TO READ AS FOLLOWS [EFFECTIVE JULY 1, 2026]: Sec. 29.5. "Crime involving domestic or family violence" means a crime that occurs when a family or household member commits, attempts to commit, or conspires to commit any of the following against another family or household member: (1) A homicide offense under IC 35-42-1. (2) A battery offense under IC 35-42-2. (3) Kidnapping or confinement under IC 35-42-3. (4) A sex offense under IC 35-42-4. (5) Robbery under IC 35-42-5. SEA 261 (6) Arson or mischief vandalism under IC 35-43-1. (7) Burglary or trespass under IC 35-43-2. (8) Disorderly conduct under IC 35-45-1. (9) Intimidation or harassment under …
Sponsors
- Young, Michael (R) · primary sponsor
- Aaron Freeman (R, SD-032)
- Scott Baldwin (R, SD-020)
- Rodney Pol (D, SD-004)
Latest actions
- : Public Law 132
- : Signed by the Governor
- : Signed by the President Pro Tempore
- : Signed by the President of the Senate
- : Signed by the Speaker
- : Returned to the Senate without amendments
- : Third reading: passed; Roll Call 352: yeas 97, nays 0
- : Second reading: ordered engrossed
- : Committee report: do pass, adopted
- : First reading: referred to Committee on Courts and Criminal Code
Votes
- SB0261.03.COMH (February 24, 2026): 97 yea, 0 nay, passed
- SB0261.02.COMS (January 28, 2026): 47 yea, 1 nay, passed
Subjects: PROPERTY; Generally, CRIMINAL LAW AND PROCEDURE; Creation of New Offenses, CRIMINAL LAW AND PROCEDURE; Offenses Against Property, CRIMINAL LAW AND PROCEDURE; Offenses Against Persons, NATURAL RESOURCES; Generally, CRIMINAL LAW AND PROCEDURE; Offenses Against Public Health, Order, and Decency
Common questions
- What is SB261?
- SB261 is a bill in the Indiana Legislature (2026 Regular Session): Criminal vandalism.
- What does SB261 do?
- In its own words: An act to amend the Indiana Code concerning criminal law and procedure.
- What is the status of SB261?
- Signed into law as of March 5, 2026. Latest action: Public Law 132 (March 5, 2026).
- Who sponsored SB261?
- Young, Michael (R), with 3 co-sponsors.
- Where is the official record for SB261?
- On the Indiana Legislature website: https://iga.in.gov/legislative/2026/bills/senate/261
Source: official Indiana record. Tracked by Delilah, AI for legislation across all 50 states and Congress.