Introduced Version
HOUSE BILL No. 1307
_____
DIGEST OF INTRODUCED BILL
Citations Affected: IC 10-19-2-2; IC 10-19-14.
Synopsis: Sensory kit grant program. Establishes the sensory kit grant
program to provide grants to public safety agencies for the purpose of
purchasing sensory kits to be used during an emergency to help
individuals with autism spectrum disorder or a cognitive disorder.
Requires the department of homeland security to administer the grant
program. Makes an appropriation.
Effective: July 1, 2025.
Andrade, Haggard,
Garcia Wilburn, Cash
January 13, 2025, read first time and referred to Committee on Veterans Affairs and Public
Safety.
2025 IN 1307—LS 6451/DI 147 Introduced
First Regular Session of the 124th General Assembly (2025)
PRINTING CODE. Amendments: Whenever an existing statute (or a section of the Indiana
Constitution) is being amended, the text of the existing provision will appear in this style type,
additions will appear in this style type, and deletions will appear in this style type.
Additions: Whenever a new statutory provision is being enacted (or a new constitutional
provision adopted), the text of the new provision will appear in this style type. Also, the
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 2024 Regular Session of the General Assembly.
HOUSE BILL No. 1307
A BILL FOR AN ACT to amend the Indiana Code concerning
public safety and to make an appropriation.
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Indiana:
1 SECTION 1. IC 10-19-2-2, AS AMENDED BY P.L.187-2021,
2 SECTION 10, IS AMENDED TO READ AS FOLLOWS [EFFECTIVE
3 JULY 1, 2025]: Sec. 2. (a) The department shall do the following:
4 (1) Develop a single strategic plan for preparing for and
5 responding to homeland security emergencies.
6 (2) Assess state and local security needs.
7 (3) Administer all state emergency management and response
8 training programs.
9 (4) Administer the state's emergency operations functions during
10 an emergency.
11 (5) Administer the following:
12 (A) IC 10-14.
13 (B) IC 16-31.
14 (C) IC 22-11.
15 (D) IC 22-12.
16 (E) IC 22-13.
17 (F) IC 22-14.
2025 IN 1307—LS 6451/DI 147 2
1 (G) IC 22-15.
2 (6) Administer the sensory kit grant program established by
3 IC 10-19-14-5.
4 (b) The executive director may organize the personnel and functions
5 of the department into divisions and subdivisions to carry out the
6 executive director's powers and duties and the powers and duties of the
7 department. The executive director may periodically consolidate,
8 divide, or abolish divisions and subdivisions as is necessary to carry
9 out those powers and duties.
10 SECTION 2. IC 10-19-14 IS ADDED TO THE INDIANA CODE
11 AS A NEW CHAPTER TO READ AS FOLLOWS [EFFECTIVE
12 JULY 1, 2025]:
13 Chapter 14. Sensory Kit Grant Program
14 Sec. 1. As used in this chapter, "fund" refers to the sensory kit
15 grant fund established by section 6 of this chapter.
16 Sec. 2. As used in this chapter, "program" refers to the sensory
17 kit grant program established by section 5 of this chapter.
18 Sec. 3. As used in this chapter, "public safety agency" has the
19 meaning set forth in IC 10-10.5-1-5.
20 Sec. 4. (a) As used in this chapter, "sensory kit" means a
21 collection of items that may be used during an emergency to:
22 (1) reduce the stress of; or
23 (2) facilitate communication with;
24 an individual with autism spectrum disorder or a cognitive
25 disorder, such as a communication board or sheet, dry erase
26 markers, headphones, or other sensory items.
27 (b) The term includes Ben's Blue Bags.
28 Sec. 5. (a) The sensory kit grant program is established to
29 provide grants to public safety agencies for the purpose of
30 purchasing sensory kits.
31 (b) The department shall administer the program.
32 Sec. 6. (a) The sensory kit grant fund is established for the
33 purpose of providing grants to public safety agencies under the
34 program. The department shall administer the fund.
35 (b) The fund consists of the following:
36 (1) Appropriations by the general assembly.
37 (2) Interest deposited in the fund under subsection (d).
38 (3) Money deposited in or transferred to the fund from any
39 other source.
40 (c) The expenses of administering the fund shall be paid from
41 money in the fund.
42 (d) The treasurer of state shall invest the money in the fund not
2025 IN 1307—LS 6451/DI 147 3
1 currently needed to meet the obligations of the fund in the same
2 manner as other public money may be invested. Interest that
3 accrues from the investments shall be deposited in the fund.
4 (e) Money in the fund at the end of a state fiscal year does not
5 revert to the state general fund.
6 Sec. 7. A public safety agency may apply to the department, in
7 a manner prescribed by the department, for a grant from the fund
8 under this chapter.
9 Sec. 8. The department may adopt rules under IC 4-22-2
10 necessary to implement this chapter.
11 SECTION 3. [EFFECTIVE JULY 1, 2025] (a) There is
12 appropriated from the state general fund to the sensory kit grant
13 fund established by IC 10-19-14-6, as added by this act, one
14 hundred forty-two thousand dollars ($142,000) for the purpose of
15 awarding grants to public safety agencies (as defined in
16 IC 10-19-14-3, as added by this act) for the state biennium
17 beginning July 1, 2025, and ending June 30, 2027.
18 (b) This SECTION expires July 1, 2027.
2025 IN 1307—LS 6451/DI 147