This blog post is to inform you that Indiana has completed its 2026 legislative session. This list highlights relevant enacted bills. At least one bill is expected to require a posting update. Other postings could also be impacted.
IN H 1302: Various Labor and Safety Matters
Among other changes, the law eliminates the requirement for employers to register with the Department of Labor when hiring five or more minors aged 14-18 and removes the registered employer database.
The law takes effect July 1, 2026.
IN H 1193: Civil Rights Commission
The law amends Indiana’s civil rights statutes to address discrimination in employment, housing, education, and public accommodations. It expands the definition of discriminatory practices to include:
- Violations of an individual’s rights protected under Title VI or Title VII of the Civil Rights Act, or Title IX of the Education Amendments.
- Taking adverse action against an individual because they have acted to protect their own rights or the rights of another person.
- Retaliating against an individual for filing a complaint with the Indiana Civil Rights Commission.
The law takes effect July 1, 2026.
IN S 162: Department of Workforce Development
The law revises multiple requirements for claimants and employers within the unemployment insurance system. Changes include requiring claimants to verify their identity with the Department of Workforce Development (DWD) and provide a Social Security number before filing new claims; requiring employers to notify DWD within specified timeframes if a separation is for certain potentially disqualifying reasons; updating the definition of deductible income so that vacation and sick pay no longer reduce weekly benefits; limiting the definition of suitable work to extended benefit claims; and providing that, once a valid claim is filed, it cannot be canceled, withdrawn, or have its filing date changed, except to correct an administrative error or to backdate a combined wage claim originally filed in another state.
The law takes effect July 1, 2026.
IN S 214: Department of Workforce Development
The law makes additional changes to the unemployment insurance system. For claimants, continued eligibility requires registering for work through the Indiana career connect database within 10 days of filing an initial claim, performing at least two acceptable work search activities per week, and keeping a detailed record of weekly work search activities.
The law takes effect July 1, 2026.
