The civic record
Read. Follow. Verify.Indiana House Bill 1045 classifies serious sex offender entry into public parks as a Level 6 felony
Last action · December 5, 2025: Representatives Rowray, Olthoff added as coauthorsSponsors: J.D. Prescott and 3 others
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What This Bill Proposed
Indiana House Bill 1045 makes it a for a serious sex offender to knowingly or intentionally enter a public park, effective July 1, 2026. The legislation also updates discharge notification requirements and clarifies absentee voting eligibility for affected individuals.
The measure establishes criminal penalties for specific individuals entering state or local park properties, impacting both offender compliance requirements and park security enforcement starting July 1, 2026.
- Indiana law maintains specific restrictions and registry requirements for individuals categorized as serious sex offenders. context
Who It Would Have Affected
Groups the bill's text would have affected, as described in the record. Being affected is not a position for or against it.
serious sex offenders
Individuals classified as serious sex offenders face criminal felony charges for entering public parks.
state and local park operators
Park agencies and political subdivisions operate properties newly subject to restricted entry rules.
Key Facts
- A serious sex offender who knowingly or intentionally enters a public park commits unlawful entry by a serious sex offender, classified as a Level 6 felony.
- Public park is defined as any property owned or operated by a state agency or political subdivision that is being used for park purposes.
- Upon discharge from the department, a criminal offender who is a serious sex offender must be informed in writing about the park entry restriction.
- Serious sex offenders remain eligible to vote by mail or absentee ballot under specific provisions.
Frequently Asked Questions
What happens if a serious sex offender enters a public park?
What else do you want to know?
News Coverage
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Votes, people, money & the original sourceWhere This Stands
This bill did not become law - Died at adjournment · in House committee.
Procedural history
4 actions- Dec 5, 2025HouseRepresentatives Rowray, Olthoff added as coauthors
- Dec 2, 2025HouseIntroducedFirst reading: referred to Committee on Courts and Criminal Code
- Dec 2, 2025HouseCoauthored by Representative Zimmerman
- Dec 2, 2025HouseAuthored by Representative Prescott
Version history
Only one version on file - nothing to compare yet. As later stages (committee substitute, engrossed, enrolled) are captured, the redline appears here.
View official text →Lobbying Activity
No state lobbying filings in our records match this bill. Federal lobbying reports (LDA) cover Congress, so they are not listed on state bills.
Full breakdown
Who this bill affects and the strongest case for and against it, written only from the bill’s own text.
Sponsors
Discoveries
Patterns POLISCOPE noticed across the record. These are observations to investigate, not conclusions.
Expansion of Offender Prohibitions
The legislation extends existing school property entry prohibitions to include public parks operated by state agencies or political subdivisions.
Connected Entities
Sources
iga.in.gov
Analysis Score
0–100- Significance20Lowered because this bill did not pass (its text scored 65)
- Controversy40Intensity of disagreement among stakeholders
- Entertainment10Compellingness for a non-policy-wonk reader
- Buzz30Current news / social attention level
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