These new Indiana laws will impact Hoosiers' daily lives

The Indiana General Assembly wrapped its 2023 legislative session in the early hours of Friday morning, tackling subjects such as soaring health care costs, school curriculum and library books, transgender youth, and of course, the state budget.

Many bills will have a very specific, tangible impact on the lives of some Hoosiers. Here's what is likely to change in the near future in Indiana, even as some of these bills are still waiting for Gov. Eric Holcomb's signature. Lawmakers can override any vetoes with a simple majority vote.

Birth control prescriptions at pharmacies

Adults seeking birth control pills, patches and rings would be able to get a prescription written and filled by a pharmacist. Pharmacists would first conduct a full health screening on a patient and decide whether to provide a contraceptive or refer them to a physician.

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Several rural communities have a pharmacy but often not a physician or OB-GYN. Lawmakers hope people who work difficult hours, are unable to receive a prompt appointment with their physician or have difficulty getting to a doctor's office will be able to receive short-term contraceptive care through House Bill 1568.

Holcomb is yet to sign or veto the bill.

Highway worksite cameras

Likely within a year, Hoosiers will start to see signs posted outside highway work zones where there are automatic speed cameras.

House Bill 1015 would establish a pilot program in up to four construction zones ― the locations of which INDOT has yet to decide — to ticket Hoosiers who drive 11 mph or over the speed limit. Tickets would only be given out when workers are present.

Drivers would receive a written warning the first time, $75 for a second violation and $150 thereafter. Offending drivers cannot get points on their license through this program.

Holcomb is yet to sign or veto the bill.

The details: Indiana bill to increase access to contraceptives stalls amid abortion worries

25-foot police buffer

Police can enforce a 25-foot buffer zone around investigating officers. If a person "knowingly or intentionally" approaches an officer and ignores an order to stop, they can be charged with a Class C misdemeanor.

House Bill 1186 was signed by the governor April 20.

Prescription drug prices

If you have an individual health care plan, insurers would be required to pass along at least 85% of the rebates they negotiate with drug manufacturers in exchange for covering the drug. This applies to people who purchased a health plan on their own, not through an employer. The Diabetes Patient Advocacy Coalition estimates patients may save up to $1,000 a year on drugs.

For employer plans, the insurer would have to pass along 100% of the rebates they negotiate, but the employer would get to decide whether to spread that out among premiums or to apply the cost savings to what prices individuals pay for drugs at the counter.

Senate Bill 8 is on the governor's desk.

Absentee voting verification

Starting this November election, absentee voters would be required to provide an extra layer of identification on their ballot application. That proof of ID can be in the form of a photocopy of a driver's license or state-issued ID, or the written-out digits of various types of identification numbers.

To receive an application, House Bill 1334 says the voter or family member must request one. Applications would no longer be able to be sent out without a request or by an assisted living or nursing home employee for their residents.

To vote by mail-in absentee ballot, voters must be eligible through an excuse requirement. Voters who may need assistance either because they are confined, disabled or unable to complete the ballot on their own can apply for a travel board to assist them in-person with their ballot. People considering mail-in or travel board voting can find more information on the Secretary of State's website.

The bill awaits Holcomb's signature or veto.

Food delivery apps

If you're ordering food through a food delivery app like Postmates or Grubhub, some restaurants may disappear from their offerings. House Bill 1279 requires those apps to receive a restaurant's permission before listing them to order from — instead of "scraping" their information and making orders without their knowledge.

Restaurant owners say this would give them more control over their services and forge better customer experiences.

The bill awaits Holcomb's signature or veto.

Motivation behind the bill: Indiana bill would require food delivery apps to get permission from restaurants

Electric vehicle tax

Hoosiers who own electric and hybrid vehicles would see their fee for registering their vehicle jump from $150 to $214 and $50 to $72, respectively, in House Bill 1050. The Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles would re-evaluate this fee each year to match what drivers would pay in federal tax if they drove a fully gas-powered vehicle.

The bill awaits Holcomb's signature or veto.

A solution for fixing roads? Indiana lawmakers consider first-of-its kind tax on fuel efficient semi trucks passing through Indiana

Service animals

People looking to have a service animal would no longer choose any animal they'd like and instead have their choice of either a dog or miniature pony. According to House Bill 1354, the animal should be trained to complete tasks for a person with a disability.

Holcomb has yet to sign or veto the bill.

One less line item on your health care bill

The state's largest nonprofit hospitals would no longer be able to tack an extra hospital facility fee onto your health care bill if all you did was visit your doctor's office, under House Bill 1004.

These fees often appear on bills if a patient visits their doctor at an offsite office, not on hospital property, simply because the hospital owns that doctor's office. It's like being billed for a hospital visit without visiting the hospital.

Facility fees vary widely based on one's insurance and the service being provided. The bill is Holcomb's desk.

Student aid requirement

High school seniors and their parents will be required to fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid by April 15 each year. Families can opt-out through signing a waiver or if the school is unable to contact the parents. Previously, you had to choose to fill out this form.

Holcomb signed Senate Bill 167 April 20.

Transgender children

At the end of the year, transgender children will no longer be able to access gender-affirming care in the form of puberty blockers, hormones or surgeries — the last of which IU Health said is already not provided in the state. Holcomb signed Senate Bill 480 into law April 5, but the American Civil Liberties Union filed a lawsuit in effort to halt its implementation.

Gender-affirming car ban: Holcomb signs bill banning transgender surgeries, puberty blockers for minors

If a student tells a school employee they want to use a different name or set of pronouns, House Bill 1608 requires the teacher or staff member to notify their parent in writing within five days.

Holcomb has yet to sign or veto the bill.

What's in the bill still? Indiana Senate pares down bill targeting student pronouns

Banning books in school libraries

School libraries would be required to have a review process to investigate if a book appealed by a parent or community member is considered obscene or harmful. Most libraries already have a procedure established.

Prosecutors could file felony charges in certain circumstances.

Many expressed concerns to lawmakers House Bill 1447 would lead to books about the LGBTQ community and people of color being banned, despite lawmakers touting it would make content safer and more appropriate.

The bill has yet to be signed or vetoed by Holcomb.

The lowdown on book bans: Indiana House, Senate agree on measure to ban books from school libraries

More 21st Century Scholars

If Holcomb signs House Bill 1449, beginning July 1, eligible students will be automatically enrolled in the 21st Century Scholars Program, a statewide program that helps low-income students earn a tuition-free college education. Parents will get notified by the state education department if their child is eligible, and students will have the ability to opt out.

More: Tuition-free: Indiana's 21st Century Scholars program could double this year

Contact IndyStar Pulliam Fellow Cate Charron at ccharron@indystar.com or follow her on Twitter @catecharron.

This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Indiana General Assembly 2023: New laws that will impact Hoosiers' lives