STATEHOUSE – As summer kicks off in Indiana, State Reps. David Abbott (R-Rome City) and Craig Snow (R-Warsaw) want Hoosiers to know about a wide range of new state laws now in effect.
Abbott said most new laws passed during the 2024 legislative session took effect July 1, including increasing Indiana's teacher pipeline. Hoosiers who want to make a career switch and go into teaching can apply for Transition to Teaching Scholarships. To be eligible for a one-time, non-renewable scholarship of up to $10,000, applicants pursuing a transition to teaching certification must have a bachelor's degree, agree to obtain an initial practitioner license and teach in Indiana for at least five years.
"With the Transition to Teaching Scholarships, Hoosier professionals will have the opportunity to receive financial support if they decide to make a career change into teaching," Abbott said. "This means that as the demand rises, Indiana will have a stronger pipeline of qualified educators with a passion for teaching."
Snow said lawmakers took action on a wide range of hot-button issues this year like expanding work-based learning. More Hoosier high school students can apply for a Career Scholarship Account to pursue internships, apprenticeships and other work-based learning opportunities. The $5,000 scholarship covers certain expenses like training, career coaching, driver's education, certification and credentialing exams. Visit in.gov/tos/csa or call 317-232-0723 for more information.
"There is a tremendous need for our students to explore work-based learning opportunities early on and these scholarships open doors for students to do that while they're still in high school," Snow said. "This program can give students a head start on finding and training for their future career, which may not include pursuing a four-year degree."
Abbott and Snow also highlighted the following new laws:
Protecting Hoosier Farmland
To help protect Indiana's farmland and food supply chain, individuals or entities associated with foreign adversaries like Russia and China will be banned from purchasing or leasing agricultural land, and mineral, water or riparian rights. China, Russia, North Korea and Iran will also be prevented from purchasing or leasing land within a 10-mile radius of military installations.
Curbing Surprise Ambulance Bills
More Hoosiers will soon be protected from surprise bills from out-of-network ambulance providers. Health insurance companies will be required to reimburse ambulance providers regardless of whether the provider was in- or out-of-network. Copays and deductible payments for out-of-network services will also be capped at in-network rates.
Visit iga.in.gov to learn more about these and other new state laws.