(INDIANAPOLIS) - Hoosiers will see a number of new laws take effect July 1, including changes involving public camping, cellphone use in schools, immigration enforcement, public records requests and National Guard military police.
Public Camping
The Indiana Capital Chronicle reports one of the most debated measures makes it a Class C misdemeanor to use unauthorized public land for camping, sleeping or long-term shelter.
Under the new law, officers must first determine whether a person qualifies for an involuntary hold and provide information about available services.
A misdemeanor charge can be filed if the person remains within 300 feet of the original location 48 hours after receiving a warning.
The law includes exemptions when shelter or mental health beds are unavailable within five miles.
Cellphones In Schools
Another new law requires public and charter schools to prohibit students from using personal electronic devices throughout the school day.
Schools must either ban the devices or require them to be powered off and stored during school hours.
The law includes limited exceptions for medical needs, emergencies and certain educational uses.
Immigration Enforcement
Beginning July 1, local law enforcement agencies will be required to comply with federal immigration detainer requests.
The law also prohibits employers from knowingly employing unauthorized workers and allows enforcement action by the Indiana attorney general.
Public Records Requests
The Indiana Capital Chronicle reports public agencies will gain new authority when responding to public records requests.
Agencies may use online verification tools, flag suspected automated requests and deny requests believed to be phishing attempts or threats to electronic systems.
National Guard Military Police
Another new law allows the Indiana National Guard's adjutant general to establish a military police force.
Members could be authorized to make arrests, conduct searches and seizures, carry firearms and exercise other police powers when activated by the governor.
Other New Laws
Other laws taking effect July 1 include a ban on certain online sweepstakes games that resemble casino gambling, new penalties for doxing and a sentencing enhancement for wearing a mask while committing a crime.