Introduced Version
SENATE BILL No. 39
_____
DIGEST OF INTRODUCED BILL
Citations Affected: IC 14-22-11-18.
Synopsis: Hunting season for qualified disabled veterans. Provides
that catastrophically disabled veterans may hunt on the same free
hunting days as those designated for youth hunters by the director of
the department of natural resources. Defines "catastrophically disabled
veteran".
Effective: July 1, 2024.
Niezgodski
January 8, 2024, read first time and referred to Committee on Natural Resources.
2024 IN 39—LS 6273/DI 150 Introduced
Second Regular Session of the 123rd General Assembly (2024)
PRINTING CODE. Amendments: Whenever an existing statute (or a section of the Indiana
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word NEW will appear in that style type in the introductory clause of each SECTION that adds
a new provision to the Indiana Code or the Indiana Constitution.
Conflict reconciliation: Text in a statute in this style type or this style type reconciles conflicts
between statutes enacted by the 2023 Regular Session of the General Assembly.
SENATE BILL No. 39
A BILL FOR AN ACT to amend the Indiana Code concerning
natural and cultural resources.
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Indiana:
1 SECTION 1. IC 14-22-11-18, AS AMENDED BY THE
2 TECHNICAL CORRECTIONS BILL OF THE 2024 GENERAL
3 ASSEMBLY, IS AMENDED TO READ AS FOLLOWS [EFFECTIVE
4 JULY 1, 2024]: Sec. 18. (a) As used in this section, "catastrophically
5 disabled veteran" has the meaning set forth in 38 CFR 17.36(e) as
6 in effect January 1, 2024.
7 (a) (b) The director may designate not more than four (4) days each
8 year as free hunting days for youth hunters and catastrophically
9 disabled veterans.
10 (b) (c) During a free hunting day for youth hunters and
11 catastrophically disabled veterans designated under subsection (a),
12 (b), a resident who is less than eighteen (18) years of age or a resident
13 who is a catastrophically disabled veteran may:
14 (1) hunt using hunting methods that are designated by the director
15 and that are legal for that hunting season; and
16 (2) exercise the same privileges that a resident is entitled to under
17 IC 14-22-12-1(24). IC 14-22-12-1(a)(24) for a youth hunter or
2024 IN 39—LS 6273/DI 150 2
1 IC 14-22-12-1(a) for a catastrophically disabled veteran.
2 A youth hunter or a catastrophically disabled veteran is not required
3 to pay a fee or possess a hunting license.
4 (c) (d) A youth hunter who hunts during a free hunting day for youth
5 hunters under this section must:
6 (1) comply with the conditions and rules adopted by the director;
7 and
8 (2) be accompanied by an individual who:
9 (A) is at least eighteen (18) years of age; and
10 (B) holds a valid hunting license under IC 14-22-12 or is not
11 required to have a hunting license under this chapter.
12 (d) (e) The individual under subsection (c)(2) (d)(2) who
13 accompanies the youth hunter:
14 (1) must be in close enough proximity to monitor the youth
15 hunter's activities and communicate with the youth hunter at all
16 times; and
17 (2) may assist the youth hunter, including calling, but may not
18 carry a firearm or bow and arrow.
19 (f) A catastrophically disabled veteran who hunts during a free
20 hunting day under this section must:
21 (1) comply with the conditions and rules adopted by the
22 director; and
23 (2) be accompanied by an individual who is at least eighteen
24 (18) years of age.
25 (g) The individual under subsection (f)(2) who accompanies a
26 catastrophically disabled veteran:
27 (1) is not required to hold a valid hunting license under
28 IC 14-22-12 or to have a hunting license under this chapter;
29 (2) must be in close enough proximity to monitor the
30 catastrophically disabled veteran's activities and
31 communicate with the catastrophically disabled veteran at all
32 times; and
33 (3) may assist the catastrophically disabled veteran, including
34 calling, but may not carry a firearm or bow and arrow.
2024 IN 39—LS 6273/DI 150