LEGISLATIVE SERVICES AGENCY
OFFICE OF FISCAL AND MANAGEMENT ANALYSIS
FISCAL IMPACT STATEMENT
LS 6712 NOTE PREPARED: Feb 11, 2025
BILL NUMBER: HB 1384 BILL AMENDED: Feb 11, 2025
SUBJECT: Public Defender Health Benefits.
FIRST AUTHOR: Rep. Bascom BILL STATUS: CR Adopted - 1
st
House
FIRST SPONSOR:
FUNDS AFFECTED:XGENERAL IMPACT: State
XDEDICATED
FEDERAL
Summary of Legislation: (Amended) This bill allows an attorney who: (1) performs court appointed legal
services on a full-time or full-time equivalent basis; (2) regularly performs court appointed legal services in
more than one county that receives reimbursement from the Indiana Commission on Court Appointed
Attorneys; and (3) is not eligible to join an employee health plan in any state or local unit; to participate in
the State Employee Health Plan (SEHP). The bill also establishes eligibility, enrollment, and coverage
requirements. It provides that the cost of coverage shall be shared between the Indiana Commission on Court
Appointed Attorneys (CCAA) and the eligible attorney. The bill establishes the Public Defender Health
Benefit Fund. It makes conforming changes.
Effective Date: July 1, 2025.
Explanation of State Expenditures: (Revised) Public Defender Health Benefit Fund: The bill establishes
the Public Defender Health Benefit Fund to pay the cost-sharing expenses for newly eligible attorneys
covered by the State Employee Health Plan (SEHP). The State Budget Director shall augment funds in the
state budget towards this fund. The bill also impacts workload at the Indiana Commission on Court
Appointed Attorneys (CCAA) to administer the fund and certify eligible attorneys. The costs of coverage
are to be divided between the participating attorney and the CCAA. In 2024, the employer paid portion of
benefits for members of the SEHP ranged from $7,125 for single coverage on the CDHP 1, to $23,433 for
a family traditional plan.
(Revised) Information provided by the CCAA indicates that an estimated 32 attorneys working in 27 counties
currently meet the definitions in the bill to be eligible to enroll in these benefits. If these attorneys maintain
eligibility and enroll in coverage, CCAA expenditures from the newly established fund could range annually
from a minimum of $228,000 up to $750,000. The actual impact of this bill will depend on the number of
eligible attorneys certified by CCAA, enrollee utilization, and their chosen health care plan.
State Personnel Department (SPD and the SEHP: The bill would increase workload for the SPD to adopt
rules and allow for two periods of open enrollment for attorneys as prescribed by the bill. Any change or
increase in SEHP costs or premiums due to increased enrollees, may be mitigated with adjustments to other
HB 1384 1 benefits or to employee compensation packages.
Explanation of State Revenues:
Explanation of Local Expenditures:
Explanation of Local Revenues:
State Agencies Affected: State Personnel Department; Indiana Commission on Court Appointed Attorneys;
State Budget Agency.
Local Agencies Affected:
Information Sources: Indiana Public Defender Council, Indiana Commission on Court Appointed
Attorneys; State Budget Agency, IC 33-40-6.
Fiscal Analyst: Allison Leeuw, 317-234-9465; Corrin Harvey, 317-234-9438.
HB 1384 2