Indiana SB 285 — Housing matters.

Indiana, 2026. SB 285: Housing matters.

Plural source record ↗

Official legislative source ↗

Official legislative source ↗

Latest action

March 5, 2026 — Signed by the Governor

Summary

Requires the Indiana housing and community development authority (authority) to establish eligibility criteria for a potential recipient to be included in the authority's application for funding under the federal continuum of care program (program). Requires a recipient of program funding to submit an annual report to the authority. Defines "gravely disabled" for purposes of involuntary commitment. Prohibits an individual from camping, sleeping, or using for long term shelter land owned by the state or a political subdivision, unless the land has been authorized for that use by law. Requires a law enforcement officer who discovers a person unlawfully using land owned by the state or a political subdivision for unlawful camping, sleeping, or long term shelter to determine if there are reasonable grounds for an emergency detention of the person, and, if reasonable grounds exist, to proceed under the emergency detention procedure and not the criminal law. Provides that, if there are not grounds for emergency detention and certain elements are met, a person who knowingly or intentionally uses land owned by the state or a political subdivision for unauthorized camping, sleeping, or long term shelter commits a Class C misdemeanor. Creates a defense to the crime if: (1) no beds are available in a shelter or treatment facility located within five miles; or (2) less than six months have passed since the person was released from a facility to which the person was involuntarily committed. Prohibits a political subdivision from adopting or enforcing any policy that prohibits or discourages the enforcement of any order or ordinance prohibiting public camping, sleeping, or other obstruction of a sidewalk. Requires: (1) each local law enforcement agency to provide to the state police department the number of arrests made for violations of the prohibition of street camping; and (2) the state police department to provide this information to the authority. Specifies that the bill does not prohibit a policy, program, or order of a political subdivision that encourages a diversion program or encourages or requires providing housing or shelter in lieu of a citation or arrest. Makes technical corrections.

Sponsors

• Cyndi Carrasco — primary sponsor
• Eric Koch — primary sponsor
• Scott Baldwin
• Alex Zimmerman — primary sponsor
• Doug Miller
• Michelle Davis

Bill text

Enrolled Senate Bill (S) Read version ↗

Engrossed Senate Bill (S) Read version ↗

Senate Bill (H) Read version ↗

Engrossed Senate Bill (H) Read version ↗

Senate Bill (S) Read version ↗

Introduced Senate Bill (S) Read version ↗

Recorded votes

Legislative history

1. February 27, 2026Signed by the Speaker
2. March 5, 2026Signed by the Governor
3. March 5, 2026Public Law 138
4. February 27, 2026Signed by the President Pro Tempore
5. February 27, 2026Signed by the President of the Senate
6. February 26, 2026Senate concurred with House amendments; Roll Call 303: yeas 28, nays 22
7. February 25, 2026Motion to concur filed
8. February 25, 2026Returned to the Senate with amendments
9. February 24, 2026Third reading: passed; Roll Call 359: yeas 53, nays 44
10. February 23, 2026Second reading: amended, ordered engrossed
11. February 23, 2026Amendment #1 (Pierce M) failed; Roll Call 333: yeas 31, nays 62
12. February 23, 2026Amendment #5 (Gore) failed; voice vote
13. February 23, 2026Amendment #3 (Zimmerman) prevailed; voice vote
14. February 23, 2026Amendment #2 (Zimmerman) prevailed; voice vote
15. February 23, 2026Representative Davis added as cosponsor
16. February 19, 2026Committee report: amend do pass, adopted
17. February 18, 2026Representative Zimmerman added as sponsor
18. February 18, 2026Representative Miller D removed as sponsor
19. February 18, 2026Representative Miller D added as cosponsor
20. February 2, 2026First reading: referred to Committee on Courts and Criminal Code
21. January 29, 2026Referred to the House
22. January 28, 2026House sponsor: Representative Miller D
23. January 28, 2026Third reading: passed; Roll Call 129: yeas 29, nays 19
24. January 27, 2026Senator Baldwin added as coauthor
25. January 26, 2026Second reading: amended, ordered engrossed
26. January 26, 2026Amendment #5 (Taylor G) failed; voice vote
27. January 26, 2026Amendment #4 (Pol) failed; voice vote
28. January 26, 2026Amendment #2 (Pol) failed; voice vote
29. January 26, 2026Amendment #6 (Carrasco) prevailed; voice vote
30. January 26, 2026Amendment #3 (Pol) failed; voice vote
31. January 15, 2026Committee report: amend do pass, adopted
32. January 12, 2026Authored by Senator Carrasco
33. January 12, 2026Senator Koch added as second author
34. January 12, 2026First reading: referred to Committee on Judiciary

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