Representatives Bartels and May will discuss new legislation that goes into effect on July 1

Indiana – State Representatives Stephen Bartels (R-Eckerty) and Chris May (R-Bedford) want the people of Indiana to be aware of a plethora of new state regulations that go into effect on July 1st, as summer officially begins.

According to Bartels, the majority of the legislation passed during the 2024 legislative session—including those that help veterans and active military personnel—go into effect on July 1. First responders will soon be able to identify missing and at-risk veterans and military personnel with the aid of a new public notification similar to Indiana’s Amber Alert and Silver Alert. Within 48 hours of the person being reported missing, the Indiana State Police may issue a Green Alert for veterans, active duty personnel, members of the Indiana National Guard, and reservists.

“The Green Alert will be noteworthy safety net for our current and former military members,” said Bartels, who co-authored the new law. “Our veterans have served Hoosiers in tremendous ways and this new alert system will be a instrumental tool in order to help those individuals.”

May said that this year, lawmakers made progress on a number of contentious subjects, such as reducing bureaucratic red tape. Food truck owners expressed concerns about the inconsistent laws and high costs that vary from one county to the next, making it challenging for them to run and grow their mobile companies. In an effort to streamline food truck permitting, counties will have to design a permit with a $200 maximum price that complies with common state requirements.

“We need to continue making it as simple as possible for businesses of all sizes to grow in our state,” May said. “Capping fees and streamlining the permitting process for food trucks can help these entrepreneurs flourish without having to jump through so many hoops.”

Bartels and May also highlighted the following new laws:

Increasing Child Care Access

More low-income parents in Indiana will have access to child care that best suits their needs and is both safe and reasonably priced. assist will be available to full-time caregivers and those preparing to enter the sector to assist pay for their children’s daycare or enrolling their 4-year-old in a top-notch pre-K program.

Protecting Hoosier Farmland

Individuals or businesses connected to foreign foes such as China and Russia will not be permitted to purchase or lease agricultural land, mineral, water, or riparian rights in Indiana in order to safeguard the state’s farming and food supply chain. It will also be illegal for China, Russia, North Korea, and Iran to buy or rent land close to military installations—ten miles or less.

Visit iga.in.gov to learn more about these and other new state laws.