Beyond historic property tax reforms, new Indiana laws going into effect on July 1 will help improve consumer protections, education, environment, healthcare and public safety for Hoosiers, State Sen. Bob Jackman (R-Milroy), said.

“Without question the major item on our agenda this session was reforming Indiana’s property tax system,” Jackman said. “I want Hoosiers to know we took action on a variety of issues, including conserving the Great Lakes and making sure Hoosier renters have working smoke detectors.”

In all, 95 new state laws will go into effect Tuesday.

Here are some key pieces of legislation Jackman helped successfully shepherd through the legislative process earlier this year.

Consumer Protections

Pre-paid Funerals: HEA 1026 helps protect investments of Hoosiers with prepaid funeral policies by making it a Class C felony to fraudulently disburse funds from a funeral trust account. Class C felonies are punishable by up to 8 years of imprisonment and a $10,000 fine.

Mortgage Lending: HEA 1359 extends protection to potential homeowners by establishing a mortgage fraud hotline for consumers to call, subjecting those involved in the loan process to federal criminal background checks and allowing the state to use a multi-state automated licensing system to track the actions of loan brokers who operate throughout the United States.

Insurance Schemes: HEA 1379 protects insurance consumers, namely senior citizens, from becoming prey to investors offering one-time cash payments in exchange for being named the beneficiary on life insurance policies. By making Stranger Originated Life Insurance Policies (STOLIs) unlawful in Indiana, investors are prevented from wagering on human life and profiting from the death of the insured.

Education

Teacher Shortages: SEA 22 addresses the shortage of teachers in areas like math and science by allowing the Indiana Department of Education to grant initial teaching licenses to qualified Hoosier professionals with related post-graduate degrees and some teaching experience.

Experience, Savings: SEA 51 encourages retired teachers to return to the classroom in as few as 30 days, tapping valuable experience, filling critical positions and saving limited resources, because neither the district nor teacher must make pension contributions.

Adult Education: HEA 1193 creates a study committee in order to find ways to address funding shortages for adult education programs throughout the state. The legislation was written in response to funding shortages in one community resulting from local programs accepting students living outside the district. Further review during the legislative session revealed adult education programs throughout the state are facing budgetary shortfalls.

Online Learning: HEA 1246 creates a study of virtual online learning for K-12 schools to provide greater educational opportunities to students throughout Indiana.

Free Tuition for Purple Heart Recipients: HEA 1249 allows post Sept. 11 military veterans decorated with the Purple Heart to pursue a bachelor’s or associate’s degree at state universities tuition free.

Environment