House Bill

HB 1202

Various public safety matters.

In plain English

Requires ignition interlock device vendors to register their devices with the state department of toxicology. Requires the department of homeland security to inspect child care centers, child care ministries, child caring institutions, and group homes before they get an initial license or registration. The bill also repeals the rules on public safety improvement areas and makes other changes.

Written by AI from the official digest below, and checked only by automated rules. If they differ, the official digest and bill text control.

Official digest

Requires a vendor or provider of an ignition interlock device to register an ignition interlock device with the department of toxicology. Eliminates a requirement for the director of the state department of toxicology to provide periodic reports to the Indiana criminal justice institute (institute) regarding the number of ignition interlock devices used in Indiana. Provides that a registered ignition interlock device must be installed in a motor vehicle in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions for installing the registered ignition interlock device. Codifies administrative rules adopted by the state department of toxicology relating to ignition interlock devices. Provides that prior to being issued an initial license to operate a child care center, the child care center must be inspected and found to be in substantial compliance with applicable building and fire safety laws by the department of homeland security. (Current law provides that a license may be issued only if the child care center is in substantial compliance with the fire and life safety rules as determined by the state fire marshal under rules adopted by the division of family resources (division) or in accordance with a variance or waiver approved by the division.) Provides that prior to being issued an initial registration to operate a child care ministry, the unlicensed child care ministry must be inspected and found to be in substantial compliance with applicable building and fire safety laws by the department of homeland security. Provides that the department of homeland security shall perform inspections of: (1) child care ministries; (2) child care centers; (3) child caring institutions; and (4) group homes. Provides that a license or registration to operate a child care center or child care ministry may be revoked if the division determines that the operator has failed to comply with an order of the department of homeland security. Provides that the operator of an unlicensed child care ministry shall maintain a copy of the most recent department of homeland security inspection findings in a conspicuous place in the unlicensed child care ministry. Provides that the department of child services is not required to consult with the fire prevention and building safety commission when adopting administrative rules pertaining to the licensing and inspection of child care institutions, foster family homes, group homes, and child placing agencies. Provides that administrative rules of the fire prevention and building safety commission must include minimum building and safety requirements applicable for child caring institutions. Provides that prior to being issued an initial license to operate a child caring institution or group home, the child caring institution or group home must be inspected and found to be in substantial compliance with applicable building and fire safety laws by the department of homeland security. Provides that a license or registration to operate a child caring institution or group home may be revoked if the department of child services determines that the operator has failed to comply with an order of the department of homeland security. Provides that in order for an individual to receive a license from the emergency medical services commission, the individual must obtain a national criminal history background check and authorize release of the results of the check to the department of homeland security. Eliminates the requirement for the institute to adopt administrative rules relating to the child restraint system account. Provides that inspections conducted by the department of homeland security shall be conducted periodically in lieu of established periods. Changes a reference, from the department of education to the office of school safety, relating to the duties of a school safety specialist. Repeals: (1) provisions relating to public safety improvement areas; (2) a provision requiring the board of trustees of the institute to adopt rules relating to the law enforcement assistance fund; (3) a provision that authorizes the state fire marshal to charge a child care ministry a $50 fee for processing a registration; (4) a provision requiring the institute to review characteristics of offenders committed to the department of correction over such period of time it deems appropriate and of the offenses committed by those offenders in order to ascertain norms used by the trial courts in sentencing; (5) a provision requiring the bureau of motor vehicles and the institute to enter into a memorandum of understanding to administer the provisions relating to ignition interlock devices; and (6) a provision that requires the institute to adopt rules relating to ignition interlock devices.

Latest action: Public Law 28, February 24, 2026Full text and history at iga.in.gov

Authors and sponsors

Ethan Lawson, Michael Crider, Brett Clark

Co-authors and co-sponsors: Steve Bartels, Chris Judy, J.D. Ford

Roll-call votes

2 recorded votes, oldest first. Third-reading votes decide whether a bill passes a chamber; amendment votes and procedural motions are listed too.

House · Jan 20, 2026

Third reading: vote to pass

Roll call text: HB 1202 - Lawson - 3rd Reading

Passed

85 yes5 no10 did not vote

Republicans: 62 yes, 0 no, 7 did not voteDemocrats: 22 yes, 5 no, 3 did not voteIndependents: 1 yes, 0 no

How each member voted

Yes (85)

No (5)

Did not vote (10)

Senate · Feb 17, 2026

Third reading: vote to pass

Roll call text: HB 1202 - Crider - 3rd Reading

Passed

45 yes0 no5 did not vote

Republicans: 37 yes, 0 no, 3 did not voteDemocrats: 8 yes, 0 no, 2 did not vote

How each member voted

Source: Open States, compiled from the Indiana General Assembly's official roll calls. The official record at iga.in.gov controls. Spot an error? Let us know.