A variety of new laws went into effect on July 1 in Indiana, including a ban on cell phones in schools, social media verification limits, and new requirements for local and state police to enforce federal immigration laws.
Cell phones prohibited during school day
Under Senate Enrolled Act 78, students will now be required to keep their cell phones or any other electronic communication device — like tablets and smart watches — in their lockers and inaccessible for the duration of the school day. Previously, a 2024 law banned cellphone use during instructional time.
There are some carve outs if students have health needs, emergencies or teacher permission for educational reasons.
The Gary Community School Corporation sent out an email to parents on Wednesday indicating the aim of the law, which was largely supported by educators, is to “help students stay focused, reduce distractions, and support a calmer, more connected learning environment.”
Gary officials asked families to remind students to either not bring the devices to school or keep them in lockers.
State enforcement of federal immigration law
Senate Enrolled Act 76 allows the state or local law agencies to enforcement of federal immigration laws. According to the law, the Indiana Department of Correction will provide training to all sheriffs-elect on how to cooperate with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
One section of the law requires schools to cooperate with federal authorities when they arrive at a school, which were previously considered “safe havens” and off limits.
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If they don’t cooperate, they face state fines of $10,000.
If someone is detained under an immigration detainer request, the law allows a judge authority to either grant or deny the person’s release on bail, as well as record in their file, comply with and inform the detainee of the immigration detainer request.
Social media limits
House Enrolled Act 1408 includes language clarifying parental consent for children under age 16, and age verification requirements for social media companies.
The law applies to social media companies that generate at least $1 billion in annual global revenue such as Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok. But no platforms are specifically mentioned.
The law also impacts platforms with algorithms that spur users to click for more content and have a substantial number of children under 16 who spend an average of two hours a day or more on the platform.
Parents who give consent have the option of monitoring their child’s usage with a separate password.
Sponsoring lawmakers couldn’t say definitively if the popular Snapchat app fell under the guidelines, although it would appear to meet the revenue requirements.
Some lawmakers said Snapchat is often the platform of choice for cyberbullying and online exploitation.
Gary appraisal
Senate Enrolled Act 232 — authored by state Sen. Mark Spencer, D-Gary — allows the city of Gary to hire a professional to appraise residential and commercial properties, and it prohibits employees or elected officials of the city from buying the appraised properties.
The city has 7,000 properties “stuck in red tape,” Spencer previously said, and it would cost about $1,000 each to appraise. An appraiser will look at 10 residential and 10 commercial properties throughout the city.
Through the legislation, Gary must post and annually update the average value per square foot for residential properties and the average value per acre for commercial plots. The averages will be used to establish a minimum offering price, according to Post-Tribune archives.
“Through our Open Data Portal, every sale and baseline study will be visible to the public before closing,” said Gary Mayor Eddie Melton in a statement. “We are moving Gary from a cycle of maintenance costs to a cycle of recurring revenue. If we successfully return just half of these lots to the tax rolls, we stand to generate $1.75 million in new annual revenue for our libraries, our parks and our children’s education.”
Zoning changes
A bill aimed at loosening local zoning guidelines to encourage new housing starts takes effect July 1. HEA 1001 limits local governments from requiring certain safety features on some buildings and they will not be able to increase the fees they charge for permits more than once every five years
Starting July 1, communities will be required to hold public hearings on their zoning and land development rules with the goal of allowing developers to build multi-family homes; allowing “accessory dwellings” on single-family home properties; converting commercial buildings into residential use; and waiving regulations on garage placement, minimum lot size, and other restrictions.
Homelessness
SEA 285 makes it illegal to camp, sleep or “use for long term shelter” on parcels owned by state or local governments. Police who come across anyone violating this law — typically someone experiencing homelessness — must get them to move, charge them with a misdemeanor or put them in non-criminal emergency detention.
The bill also requires the Indiana housing and community development authority to check on the results of federal funds it grants to help end homelessness.
Post-Tribune staff writers Alexandra Kukulka and Maya Wilkins and freelance reporter Carole Carlson contributed.