Hoosiers can expect to see several new state laws taking effect this summer after the 2025 legislative session wrapped in April. State Reps. Ben Smaltz (R-Auburn) and Tony Isa (R-Angola) have outlined key legislation designed to quickly impact Indiana residents, including measures aimed at election integrity and health care reform.
One significant change, Senate Enrolled Act 10, is set to reinforce election security in the state. "This law simply treats college students the same as every other resident, requiring a government ID to vote," Smaltz stated in a release, according to Indiana House Republicans. The act mandates that only valid government-issued IDs will be accepted at election polls and aims to ensure that voter rolls are correctly maintained to remove inactive and deceased voters, specifically excluding student IDs from being used at polling places.
On health care, Isa highlighted a new law he co-authored devised to curb rising health care costs. It prohibits large nonprofit hospital systems from charging more for services at different facilities and requires more public price postings to help patients to better compare costs. "Access to clear and accurate health care pricing is essential for informed decision making and financial accountability," Isa told Indiana House Republicans. The effort is part of a larger strategy to combat Medicaid fraud and aims to make care more affordable for Hoosiers.
A range of other legislative measures are also coming into effect. New laws are set to continue income tax cuts for Indiana residents and provide funding for critical priorities, such as K-12 schools. Local lawmakers also highlighted laws designed to safeguard parental rights by ensuring that government entities cannot interfere with a parent’s authority over their child's upbringing, religious instruction, education, or health care unless absolutely necessary. Additionally, to increase affordability and access in the pharmaceutical realm, pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) must to now increase price transparency and include more rural pharmacies in their networks.
Aligned with concerns on financial matters, Indiana's balanced budget aims to maintain the state's AAA credit rating, allocating increased funding for public safety and housing to support the state's growing communities. Moreover, school choice will expand to all families next year, which marks a move to improve educational accessibility.
