IACNS Legislative/Regulatory Committee Update- February 6, 2026

Past the halfway mark!  As the General Assembly enters the next phase of the session, legislation that passed third reading is now advancing to the opposite chamber. The committee deadline of February 19 is fast approaching.”

A few Bill Highlights:

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: 2/10/2026 - Senate Corrections and Criminal Law, (Bill Scheduled for Hearing)

Recent Status: 2/3/2026 - Senate Corrections and Criminal Law, (Bill Scheduled for Hearing)

HB 1278 NURSING MATTERS; EDUCATION PROGRAMS (BARRETT B) Requires a state educational institution that offers a two year graduate degree program in mental or behavioral health to evaluate the graduate degree program to determine the feasibility of providing the program in a specifically structured manner to allow full-time students to complete the program within: (1) one year; or (2) five years if the program is combined with a baccalaureate degree program. Requires certain state educational institutions to offer at least one graduate degree program in one or more certain disciplines that are structured to allow full-time students to complete the program within: (1) one year; or (2) five years if the program is combined with a baccalaureate degree program. Requires certain state educational institutions to report to the commission for higher education (commission) regarding the graduate degree programs. Requires the commission to post the submitted reports on the commission's website. Requires the Indiana State Nurses Association, any time there is a vacancy or expiration of a term on the board of nursing, to recommend to the governor a list of qualified nurses for appointments.

 Current Status: 2/5/2026 - Committee Report amend do pass, adopted

Recent Status: 2/4/2026 - Senate Committee recommends passage, as amended Yeas: 10,

Nays: 2; 2/4/2026 - Senate Health and Provider Services, (Bill Scheduled for Hearing)

SB 60 ADVANCED PRACTICE REGISTERED NURSES (HUNLEY A) Legislation failed to advance out of committee.

HB 1129 ADVANCED PRACTICE REGISTERED NURSES (LEDBETTER C) Legislation failed to advance out of committee.

HB 1060 EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES (WILBURN G) Legislation failed to advance out of committee.

For a full list of bills visit: IGA | Bills for 2026 Session

If you would like more information on tracking bills with health and health workforce policy visit: Bowen Bill Brief | Bowen Center for Health Workforce Research and Policy

Upcoming Advocacy Opportunities:

• 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.