S.E.A. 291, P.L. 139-2026
Effective: March 5, 2026
- Defines “protected individual” as a current or retired judge as defined in IC 33-38-12-3, a current or retired justice, judge, or magistrate of a federal court domiciled in Indiana, and a spouse, child, or dependent who resides in the protected person’s household.
- Defines “personal information” for purposes of these provisions.
- Establishes a procedure for making a written request to prevent certain personal information of a protected individual from being publicly available by a public agency.
- Creates a civil cause of action against a public agency that fails to remove certain personal information of a protected individual and provides for actual damages, punitive damages for willfully refusing to comply, declaratory and injunctive relief, costs and reasonable attorney’s fees.
- Repeals current code concerning the supreme court sheriff.
- Allows the supreme court and the court of appeals to each appoint a court marshal and allows each appointed court marshal to hire deputy court marshals.
- Requires a court marshal to ensure the safety and security of the court.
- Requires a supreme court marshal and a court of appeals court marshal to carry out certain responsibilities.
- Provides that a court marshal is entitled to qualified immunity for acts performed in the course of official duties.
- Specifies that a court marshal has limited police powers and is required to notify the local law enforcement agency as soon as practicable when a security threat is detected.
- Allows the marshal appointed by the court of appeals to provide for the safety and security of the tax court.
Read the bill at: https://iga.in.gov/legislative/2026/bills/senate/291/