Indy Standard

As summer begins in Indiana, State Representatives Bruce Borders (R-Jasonville) and Shane Lindauer (R-Jasper) have announced a series of new state laws that will take effect on July 1.

Borders emphasized the importance of boosting student reading proficiency. Currently, one in five Hoosier third graders struggles with reading. Data indicates that individuals with low literacy levels tend to earn less, experience poorer health, and have higher incarceration rates than their peers. To address this issue, the state will enhance its remediation efforts and provide more targeted classroom support starting in second grade. Additionally, schools will be required to offer summer courses aimed at improving reading skills beginning this year.

"Improving reading proficiency in our youngest learners is important for their future success," Borders said. "By strengthening remediation efforts and offering classroom support in second grade, we can help more students develop strong literacy skills."

Lindauer highlighted legislative actions taken on various issues, including increasing election security. To protect Indiana's elections, officials will now have additional tools to maintain accurate voter registration lists. Proof of citizenship will be required for individuals registering with temporary IDs, and first-time voters must provide proof of residency.

"The security of our elections is paramount to Hoosiers," Lindauer said. "Maintaining updated voter registration lists and putting guardrails in place to ensure only citizens cast a ballot can ensure that Indiana continues to have fair and free elections."

Borders and Lindauer also noted several other new laws:

- **Expanding Work-Based Learning**: More high school students in Indiana can apply for a Career Scholarship Account to pursue internships, apprenticeships, and other work-based learning opportunities. The $5,000 scholarship covers expenses such as training, career coaching, driver's education, certification exams, and credentialing exams.

- **Protecting Hoosier Farmland**: To safeguard Indiana's farmland and food supply chain, individuals or entities associated with foreign adversaries like Russia and China will be banned from purchasing or leasing agricultural land as well as mineral, water or riparian rights. Additionally, China, Russia, North Korea and Iran will be prohibited from acquiring land within a 10-mile radius of military installations.

For more information about these new state laws visit iga.in.gov.