IACNS Legislative/Regulatory Committee Update- January 16, 2026

Indiana General Session 2026 is underway. Discussions are moving fast with this year’s short session anticipated to close at the end of February. For a full list of bills visit: IGA Bills for 2026 Session

If you would like more information on tracking bills dealing with health and health workforce policy visit: Bowen Bill Brief | Bowen Center for Health Workforce Research and Policy To review this session’s deadlines: IGA | Deadlines

To review this session’s deadlines: IGA | Deadlines

A few Bill Highlights:

SB 60 ADVANCED PRACTICE REGISTERED NURSES (HUNLEY A) Removes the requirement that an advanced practice registered nurse (APRN) have a practice agreement with a collaborating physician. Removes a provision requiring an APRN to operate under a collaborative practice agreement or the privileges granted by a hospital governing board. Removes certain provisions concerning the audit of practice agreements. Allows an APRN with prescriptive authority to prescribe a schedule II-controlled substance for weight reduction or to control obesity. Makes conforming changes.

• Current Status: 1/8/2026 - added as coauthor Senator Garten
• Recent Status: 1/6/2026 - added as coauthor Senator Niezgodski
• 1/6/2026 - removed as third author Senator Niezgodski

HB 1129 ADVANCED PRACTICE REGISTERED NURSES (LEDBETTER C) Removes the requirement that an advanced practice registered nurse (APRN) have a practice agreement with a collaborating physician. Removes a provision requiring an APRN to operate under a collaborative practice agreement or the privileges granted by a hospital governing board. Removes certain provisions concerning the audit of practice agreements. Allows an APRN with prescriptive authority to prescribe a schedule II-controlled substance for weight reduction or to control obesity. Makes conforming changes.

• Current Status: 1/12/2026 - added as coauthors Representatives Olthoff, Cash, Garcia Wilburn
• Recent Status: 1/5/2026 - Referred to House

HB 1040 BATTERY AGAINST VULNERABLE WORKERS (MCNAMARA W) Increases the penalty for battery on certain health care employees and school employees. Specifies that the enhancement for battery committed against a department of child services (DCS) employee applies only to those DCS employees whose responsibilities include personally supervising a child or parent, personally providing services to a child or parent, or personally interviewing a child or parent as part of an investigation. Requires the employer of a health care or school employee who is the victim of battery to report the incident to the department of labor.

• Current Status: 1/14/2026 - Referred to Senate
• Recent Status: 1/13/2026 - Senate sponsors: Senators Freeman, Carrasco, Raatz
• 1/13/2026 - Third reading passed; Roll Call 44: yeas 92, nays 1

HB 1060 EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES (WILBURN G) Exempts state educational institution degree programs primarily focused on emergency medical services from a certain elimination provision.

• Current Status: 01/08/2028 added as coauthors Teshka, Lawson (1/6), Novak (1/6)
• Recent Status: 12/05/26 First reading referred to Committee on Education

Upcoming Advocacy Opportunities:

• CAPNI Advocacy day at the statehouse 01/21/26 9-130 PM (MUST be CAPNI member to register, for more information visit Advocacy Day 2026 | Coalition of Advanced Practice Registered Nurses of Indiana | ENP Network)
• ISNA Advocacy day at the statehouse 02/19/26 1-4 PM (for more information about registering visit Indiana Nurses Day at the Statehouse | The Indiana State Nurses Association | Nursing Network)

For additional questions please feel free to contact one of your IACNS Legislative/Regulatory Committee Members.