Indiana § 24-4-24-11 - Enforcement; remedies

§ 24-4-24-11. Enforcement; remedies

Sec. 11. (a) The attorney general has exclusive authority to enforce the provisions of this chapter.

(b) The attorney general may initiate an action in the name of the state and may seek an injunction to restrain any violations of this chapter and a civil penalty not to exceed seven thousand five hundred dollars ($7,500) for each violation under this chapter.

(c) The attorney general may recover reasonable expenses incurred in investigating and preparing the case, including attorney's fees, in any action initiated under this section.

(d) Before initiating an action under this section, the attorney general shall provide a provider thirty (30) days written notice identifying the specific provisions of this chapter that the attorney general alleges have been or are being violated. If, within the thirty (30) day period set forth in this subsection, the provider:

(1) cures the alleged violation; and

(2) provides the attorney general an express written statement that:

(A) the alleged violation has been cured; and

(B) actions have been taken to ensure no further such violations will occur;

the attorney general shall not initiate an action against the provider.

(e) If a provider:

(1) continues an alleged violation following the thirty (30) day period set forth in subsection (d); or

(2) breaches an express written statement provided to the attorney general under subsection (d)(2);

the attorney general may initiate an action against the provider under subsection (b).

(f) Nothing in this section may be construed as providing the basis for a private right of action for violations of this chapter or any other law.

As added by P.L.233-2025, SEC.2.

IC 24-4-24.4Chapter 24.4. Human Trafficking Awareness at Massage Establishments

24-4-24.4-1"Massage establishment" 24-4-24.4-2Displaying human trafficking awareness posters 24-4-24.4-3Contents of human trafficking posters

IC 24-4-24.4-1"Massage establishment" Sec. 1. As used in this chapter, "massage establishment" means a facility where massage therapy is provided. The term does not include the following:

(1) The office of a licensed health care practitioner (as defined in IC 20-34-5-4), if the licensed health care practitioner employs a massage therapist to perform massage therapy on the patients of the licensed health care practitioner.

(2) A public lodging establishment, if the massage therapy is provided for persons at the public lodging establishment.

(3) The residence of a massage therapist who provides massage therapy at the therapist's residence, if the massage therapist is the only person providing massage therapy at the residence.

As added by P.L.228-2025, SEC.2.

IC 24-4-24.4-2Displaying human trafficking awareness posters Sec. 2. The owner or operator of a massage establishment may display human trafficking awareness posters in at least two (2) public locations.

As added by P.L.228-2025, SEC.2.

IC 24-4-24.4-3Contents of human trafficking posters Sec. 3. The human trafficking awareness posters may include the following information:

(1) A description of human trafficking.

(2) Information about indicators of human trafficking, such as restricted freedom of movement and signs of physical abuse.

(3) Contact information for:

(A) the National Human Trafficking Hotline, including the toll free telephone number and text line; and

(B) a local law enforcement agency.

As added by P.L.228-2025, SEC.2.

IC 24-4-24.5Chapter 24.5. Human Trafficking Awareness at Gas Stations

24-4-24.5-1"Automotive fuel" 24-4-24.5-2"Gas station" 24-4-24.5-3Duty to provide human trafficking awareness information and hotline information 24-4-24.5-4Content of human trafficking information

IC 24-4-24.5-1"Automotive fuel" Sec. 1. As used in this chapter, "automotive fuel" includes diesel fuel, gasohol, or gasoline.

As added by P.L.228-2025, SEC.3.

IC 24-4-24.5-2"Gas station" Sec. 2. As used in this chapter, "gas station" means an establishment that is primarily engaged in the retail sale of automotive fuels.

As added by P.L.228-2025, SEC.3.

IC 24-4-24.5-3Duty to provide human trafficking awareness information and hotline information Sec. 3. The owner or operator of a gas station with interior space open to the public shall provide:

(1) human trafficking awareness information; and

(2) the National Human Trafficking Hotline toll free telephone number or text line;

in public restroom facilities or in a visible location on the premises.

As added by P.L.228-2025, SEC.3.

IC 24-4-24.5-4Content of human trafficking information Sec. 4. The human trafficking awareness information may include the following information:

(1) A description of human trafficking.

(2) Information about indicators of human trafficking, such as restricted freedom of movement and signs of physical abuse.

(3) The telephone numbers for:

(A) law enforcement; and

(B) a human trafficking hotline.

As added by P.L.228-2025, SEC.3.

IC 24-4-25.5Chapter 25.5. Foreign Media Ownership

24-4-25.5-1"Foreign entity" 24-4-25.5-2"Foreign government" 24-4-25.5-3"Foreign ownership" 24-4-25.5-4"Funding" 24-4-25.5-5"Indiana media entity" 24-4-25.5-6"Media entity" 24-4-25.5-7Indiana media entity with foreign ownership; annual report to secretary of state; required information; publication on website 24-4-25.5-8Indiana media entity receiving funding from foreign entity; report to secretary of state; required information; publication on website 24-4-25.5-9Consolidated report 24-4-25.5-10Indiana media entity publishing or broadcasting content sourced from or influenced by foreign entity; disclosure 24-4-25.5-11Secretary of state; compliance audits; publication of compliant Indiana media entities; civil penalty 24-4-25.5-12Indiana media entity required to report or sanctioned by secretary of state; special accreditation required for state government media event

IC 24-4-25.5-1"Foreign entity" Sec. 1. As used in this chapter, "foreign entity" means:

(1) a foreign government;

(2) one (1) or more individuals who are not United States citizens or permanent residents;

(3) an organization that:

(A) is an instrumentality of; or

(B) is controlled by;

a foreign government; or

(4) an organization with regard to which five percent (5%) or more of the:

(A) fair market value;

(B) market capitalization; or

(C) total voting rights;

are owned by a foreign government, by an individual described in subdivision (2), by an organization described in subdivision (3), or by any other entity organized under the laws of a foreign government.

As added by P.L.132-2025, SEC.1.

IC 24-4-25.5-2"Foreign government" Sec. 2. As used in this chapter, "foreign government" means the government, or an agent or a political subdivision of the government, of a country, nation, or group of nations other than:

(1) the United States; or

(2) a state, territory, or protectorate of the United States.

As added by P.L.132-2025, SEC.1.

IC 24-4-25.5-3"Foreign ownership" Sec. 3. As used in this chapter, "foreign ownership" means an ownership interest (including voting rights) in an Indiana media entity that is held or controlled by a foreign entity. However, the term does not include an ownership interest derived solely from holding publicly traded securities of a media entity.

As added by P.L.132-2025, SEC.1.

IC 24-4-25.5-4"Funding" Sec. 4. As used in this chapter, "funding" means:

(1) income; or

(2) a monetary or in-kind contribution or donation.

As added by P.L.132-2025, SEC.1.

IC 24-4-25.5-5"Indiana media entity" Sec. 5. As used in this chapter, "Indiana media entity" means a media entity that:

(1) has a physical presence in Indiana; or

(2) receives income from one (1) or more subscribers located in Indiana.

As added by P.L.132-2025, SEC.1.

IC 24-4-25.5-6"Media entity" Sec. 6. As used in this chapter, "media entity" means one (1) or more of the following:

(1) A newspaper of general circulation in Indiana.

(2) A broadcaster serving Indiana.

(3) A website that provides news, commentary, or discussion concerning political matters to Indiana residents.

(4) Any other source of news or information that provides news, commentary, or discussion concerning political matters to Indiana residents.

As added by P.L.132-2025, SEC.1.

IC 24-4-25.5-7Indiana media entity with foreign ownership; annual report to secretary of state; required information; publication on website Sec. 7. (a) Before December 31, 2025, and before December 31 of each year thereafter, an Indiana media entity with foreign ownership that is equal to or greater than five percent (5%) of the:

(1) fair market value;

(2) market capitalization; or

(3) total voting rights;

of the Indiana media entity must file a report with the secretary of state disclosing the foreign ownership.

(b) An Indiana media entity required to make a report under subsection (a) shall include in the report:

(1) the percentage of foreign ownership;

(2) the name of each foreign owner;

(3) the country of origin of each foreign owner; and

(4) any other relevant information required by the secretary of state.

The Indiana media entity shall publish the most recent copy of the report on the entity's website not later than seven (7) days after the report is filed with the secretary of state.

As added by P.L.132-2025, SEC.1.

IC 24-4-25.5-8Indiana media entity receiving funding from foreign entity; report to secretary of state; required information; publication on website Sec. 8. (a) Before December 31, 2025, and before December 31 of each year thereafter, an Indiana media entity that has received at least ten thousand dollars ($10,000) in funding, in aggregate, from one (1) or more foreign entities must file a report with the secretary of state disclosing the funding.

(b) An Indiana media entity required to make a report under subsection (a) shall include in the report:

(1) the total amount of the funding;

(2) the name of each foreign entity that provided funding and the amount of funding provided;

(3) the country of origin of each foreign entity;

(4) the purpose of the funding and how the funding was used; and

(5) any other relevant information required by the secretary of state.

The Indiana media entity shall publish the most recent copy of the report on the entity's website not later than seven (7) days after the report is filed with the secretary of state.

As added by P.L.132-2025, SEC.1.

IC 24-4-25.5-9Consolidated report Sec. 9. An Indiana media entity required to make a report under sections 7 and 8 of this chapter may file one (1) report that includes all of the information required under sections 7 and 8 of this chapter.

As added by P.L.132-2025, SEC.1.

IC 24-4-25.5-10Indiana media entity publishing or broadcasting content sourced from or influenced by foreign entity; disclosure Sec. 10. An Indiana media entity that publishes or broadcasts content:

(1) sourced from; or

(2) influenced by;

a foreign entity must include the name of the foreign entity in the publication or broadcast.

As added by P.L.132-2025, SEC.1.

IC 24-4-25.5-11Secretary of state; compliance audits; publication of compliant Indiana media entities; civil penalty Sec. 11. (a) The secretary of state shall conduct regular audits to ensure that an Indiana media entity complies with the requirements of this chapter.

(b) The secretary of state shall publish a list of Indiana media entities that have complied with the requirements of this chapter on the secretary of state's website.

(c) The secretary of state may impose a civil penalty of not more than fifty thousand dollars ($50,000) on an Indiana media entity that knowingly or intentionally fails to comply with the disclosure and reporting requirements of this chapter.

As added by P.L.132-2025, SEC.1.

IC 24-4-25.5-12Indiana media entity required to report or sanctioned by secretary of state; special accreditation required for state government media event Sec. 12. (a) This section applies to an Indiana media entity that:

(1) is required to make a report under section 7 or 8 of this chapter; or

(2) has been sanctioned by the secretary of state under section 11 of this chapter.

(b) A person to which this section applies must obtain special accreditation from the Indiana department of administration to attend a state government media event.

(c) The Indiana department of administration shall establish criteria for granting special accreditation under subsection (b). In determining whether to grant special accreditation, the department shall consider whether an Indiana media entity is included on the secretary of state's published list described in section 11(b) of this chapter.

(d) The Indiana department of administration may revoke special accreditation if a person to which this section applies has:

(1) failed to comply with the requirements of this chapter; or

(2) been removed from the secretary of state's published list of compliant media entities.

As added by P.L.132-2025, SEC.1.

IC 24-4-26Chapter 26. Advertising of Illegal Products

24-4-26-1Repealed 24-4-26-2"Marijuana" 24-4-26-3"Person" 24-4-26-4Prohibition against advertising marijuana or controlled substance; removal 24-4-26-5Action by attorney general