Senate Bill

SB 71

Various probate matters.

In plain English

Creates a task force to study rewriting Indiana's guardianship code. Lets a person pay a debt or hand over property belonging to a minor, up to $25,000, without a court order, and lets a parent or caregiver ask a court to settle a claim for a minor. The bill also changes rules on powers of appointment and powers of attorney, 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

Establishes the guardianship code revision task force (task force) to study a recodification of the current guardianship code with any necessary changes. Allows a person indebted to a minor or having possession of property belonging to a minor to pay the debt or deliver the property without a court order in an amount up to $25,000 and to pay the debt or deliver the property to a custodian under the Indiana Uniform Transfers to Minors Act. Specifies that a court may do the following when issuing a protective order: (1) authorize delivery of property to a custodian under the Indiana Uniform Transfers to Minors Act; and (2) order a trustee, custodian, or other person to file periodic reports concerning certain property transactions of a minor. Allows a person having the care and custody of a minor with whom the minor resides to petition a court to compromise a claim on behalf of the minor. Requires a court to hold a hearing on certain petitions concerning a proposal to compromise a claim on behalf of a minor and allows a court to appoint a guardian ad litem, an attorney, or other representative to represent the best interest of the minor in the proceeding. Provides that, under the Indiana Uniform Transfers to Minors Act, a trustee or administrator of certain plans may transfer funds due under a plan to the custodian of a minor who is designated as a beneficiary. Allows a custodian to transfer part or all of the minor's custodial property out of the custodial form under the Indiana Uniform Transfers to Minors Act to certain types of trusts or accounts without a court order. Provides that when a power of appointment in a trust (earlier power) is exercised to create another power of appointment (subsequent power) or another nonvested property interest, then the subsequent power or nonvested property interest created through the exercise of the earlier power is considered to have been created at the time of the creation of the earlier power, unless: (1) the instrument creating the earlier power; or (2) the instrument exercising the earlier power; explicitly provides that the subsequent power or nonvested property interest is considered to have been created at the time of the irrevocable exercise of the earlier power. Specifies that language conferring general authority in a power of attorney with respect to personal or family maintenance authorizes an attorney in fact to take certain actions on behalf of the principal for the benefit of the principal and the principal's spouse, children, and other persons customarily supported by the principal. Removes the authorization to employ or contract with servants or companions from the description of health care powers. Provides that the application is only to a lifetime or inter vivos transfer of property to a trust or similar arrangement under which the spouse of the transferor is granted an earlier power that can be exercised during the spouse's lifetime or upon the spouse's death to create a subsequent limited power of appointment or another nonvested property interest. Provides that the exercise of the earlier power or another nonvested property interest is considered to have been created at the time of the creation of the earlier power by the transferor. Specifies that certain written agreements executed between an owner of residential real property and a family member, attorney in fact, health care representative, or guardian that provide for an ownership interest in the residential real property are not prohibited residential real estate service agreements.

Latest action: Public Law 105, March 5, 2026Full text and history at iga.in.gov

Authors and sponsors

Cyndi Carrasco, Eric Koch, Chris Jeter

Co-authors and co-sponsors: Lonnie Randolph

Roll-call votes

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

Senate · Jan 12, 2026

Third reading: vote to pass

Roll call text: SB 71 - Carrasco - 3rd Reading

Passed

48 yes0 no1 did not vote

Republicans: 38 yes, 0 no, 1 did not voteDemocrats: 10 yes, 0 no

How each member voted

House · Feb 16, 2026

Third reading: vote to pass

Roll call text: SB 71 - Jeter - 3rd Reading

Passed

89 yes0 no11 did not vote

Republicans: 59 yes, 0 no, 10 did not voteDemocrats: 29 yes, 0 no, 1 did not voteIndependents: 1 yes, 0 no

How each member voted

Yes (89)

Did not vote (11)

Senate · Feb 27, 2026

Final vote: concurrence or conference report

Roll call text: SB 71 - Carrasco

Passed

49 yes0 no1 did not vote

Republicans: 40 yes, 0 noDemocrats: 9 yes, 0 no, 1 did not vote

How each member voted

House · Feb 27, 2026

Final vote: concurrence or conference report

Roll call text: SB 71 - Jeter

Passed

93 yes2 no5 did not vote

Republicans: 63 yes, 2 no, 4 did not voteDemocrats: 29 yes, 0 no, 1 did not voteIndependents: 1 yes, 0 no

How each member voted

Yes (93)

No (2)

Did not vote (5)

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.