Several of the 172 new laws passed in the 2024 legislative session went into effect Monday, July 1. A release from Senator Ryan Mishler, left, provided more details. Photo provided by Senator Ryan Mishler.

By Lilli Dwyer
InkFreeNews

INDIANA — With the conclusion of the 2024 legislative session, the Indiana General Assembly passed 172 new laws. According to a release from Senator Ryan Mishler, over 90% received bipartisan support on Senate final passage and over 50% received unanimous support on Senate final passage. Many of these new laws went into effect Monday, July 1.

Under one new law, Indiana bars and restaurants are now able to have happy hours and offer carryout cocktails. House Enrolled Act 1086 allows these business to prepare, sell and deliver alcoholic beverages for carryout to a customer on the licensed premises in certain qualified containers. These containers must also be sealed.

Indiana first responders can now be recognized for exceptional service with the Hoosier First Responder Medal of Honor. According to House Enrolled Act 1142, the Department of Homeland Security can award this medal to any first responder who “distinguishes themselves conspicuously by gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of the Indiana first responder’s life above and beyond the call of duty while engaged in an act of public service.”

A new Green Alert Program for Hoosier veterans has been established under House Enrolled Act 1021. Like Amber and Silver alerts, the Green Alert Program is designed to help locate and assist at-risk missing veterans. An “at-risk veteran” is defined as a veteran whose disappearance is the result of a physical or mental health condition related to their service.

House Enrolled Act 1183 aims to protect Indiana farm land from foreign threats. This law stipulates that prohibited persons may not buy or lease land if it is located in Indiana and located within a 10 mile radius of a military installation, though there are certain exceptions. Prohibited persons are also barred from buying or leasing agricultural land, as well as mineral rights or water rights on agricultural land.

Other new laws include Senate Enrolled Act 181, which strengthens Indiana’s ban on “sanctuary cities,” municipalities that limit cooperation with the national government in enforcing immigration law. For example, they may not report an individual’s immigration status unless a serious crime has been committed. Under this law, the attorney general can compel a city government or a university to comply with federal immigration officials, if probable cause is determined.

Similarly, “sister cities,” or two communities in different countries who enter a formal agreement to partner up, are also affected by a new law. House Enrolled Act 1120 prohibits local governments in Indiana from entering into sister city agreements with cities located in a country the U.S. government considers a foreign adversary.

A full list of laws passed in the 2024 legislative session can be found here.