Indiana legislation · 2026 Regular Session
Indiana SB285: Housing matters.
Status: Signed into law, February 27, 2026
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 doe
What the bill says
An act to amend the Indiana Code concerning local government.
From the enrolled text:
AN ACT to amend the Indiana Code concerning local government. SECTION 1. IC 5-20-1-28 IS ADDED TO THE INDIANA CODE AS A NEW SECTION TO READ AS FOLLOWS [EFFECTIVE JULY 1, 2026]: Sec. 28. (a) The authority shall establish eligibility criteria, in accordance with federal law, for a potential recipient to be included in the authority's application for funding under the federal Continuum of Care program (24 CFR 578). (b) On an annual basis and in a manner prescribed by the authority, each recipient of funds distributed by the authority under the federal Continuum of Care program (24 CFR 578) shall submit a report to the authority summarizing: (1) information concerning the recipient's efforts to address unsheltered homelessness; and (2) whether the recipient reduced unsheltered homelessness. SECTION 2. IC 10-11-2-36 IS ADDED TO THE INDIANA CODE AS A NEW SECTION TO READ AS FOLLOWS [EFFECTIVE JULY 1, 2026]: Sec. 36. Not later than July 1 of each year, the state police department shall provide to the Indiana housing and community development authority the information received under IC 36-1-31.5-4. SECTION 3. IC 12-7-2-96 IS AMENDED TO READ AS FOLLOWS [EFFECTIVE JULY 1, 2026]: Sec. 96. "Gravely disabled", for purposes of IC 12-26, means a condition in which an individual, as SEA 285 -- Concur a result of mental illness, is in …
Sponsors
- Carrasco, Cyndi (R) · primary sponsor
- Eric Koch (R, SD-044)
- Scott Baldwin (R, SD-020)
Latest actions
- : Signed by the Governor
- : Public Law 138
- : Signed by the Speaker
- : Signed by the President Pro Tempore
- : Signed by the President of the Senate
- : Senate concurred with House amendments; Roll Call 303: yeas 28, nays 22
- : Motion to concur filed
- : Returned to the Senate with amendments
- : Third reading: passed; Roll Call 359: yeas 53, nays 44
- : Second reading: amended, ordered engrossed
Votes
- SB0285.05.ENGH.CON01 (February 26, 2026): 28 yea, 22 nay, passed
- SB0285.04.COMH (February 24, 2026): 53 yea, 44 nay, passed
- SB0285.04.COMH.AMH001 (February 23, 2026): 31 yea, 62 nay, failed
- SB0285.03.ENGS (January 28, 2026): 29 yea, 19 nay, passed
Subjects: AGENCIES; Housing and Community Development Authority (IHCDA), LAW ENFORCEMENT; Generally, AGENCIES; Indiana State Police (ISP), SOCIAL SERVICES; Housing, HEALTH; Behavioral Health; Generally, CIVIL LAW AND PROCEDURE; Generally, HEALTH; Behavioral Health; Mental Illness and Treatment, CRIMINAL LAW AND PROCEDURE; Creation of New Offenses
Common questions
- What is SB285?
- SB285 is a bill in the Indiana Legislature (2026 Regular Session): Housing matters.
- What does SB285 do?
- In its own words: An act to amend the Indiana Code concerning local government.
- What is the status of SB285?
- Signed into law as of February 27, 2026. Latest action: Signed by the Governor (March 5, 2026).
- Who sponsored SB285?
- Carrasco, Cyndi (R), with 2 co-sponsors.
- Where is the official record for SB285?
- On the Indiana Legislature website: https://iga.in.gov/legislative/2026/bills/senate/285
Source: official Indiana record. Tracked by Delilah, AI for legislation across all 50 states and Congress.