HB 1360: Access to public records.

Official summary

Abstract published by the legislature (via Open States). Text as published by the legislature; reproduced verbatim.

Allows a public agency to establish and maintain an electronic portal for submission of public records requests that: (1) incorporates CAPTCHA or an equivalent mechanism for ensuring that a requestor is a human; (2) requires verification of a requestor's physical address; (3) indicates to the public agency whether the requestor is a resident of Indiana; and (4) automatically tracks and reports submissions suspected to be automated or to have originated from known sources of phishing or data scraping. Provides that a public agency may deny a public record request if the request: (1) is made by a person that is a party to pending or ongoing litigation; and (2) is duplicative of a discovery request made by the person in the pending or ongoing litigation. Provides that: (1) a public agency may decline to respond to a public records request if the public agency suspects: (A) the request to be data scraping or phishing activity; or (B) that responding to the request electronically may: (i) expose the public agency's electronic systems or data to unauthorized access or alteration; or (ii) otherwise jeopardize the security of the public agency's electronic systems or data; and (2) if the public agency declines to respond to the request, the public agency must report: (A) the request; and (B) the public agency's reason for declining to respond to the request; to the public access counselor. Allows a public agency to collect a supplemental fee for processing public records requests submitted by non-Indiana residents or out-of-state entities. Allows a public agency to give priority in fulfilling public records requests to: (1) Indiana residents; and (2) requests submitted for civic, journalistic, academic, or personal use. Requires public agencies to report to the public access counselor regarding public records requests suspected of being automated, data scraping activity, or phishing activity (suspect public records requests). Provides that the general assembly may establish reasonable and narrowly tailored procedural safeguards to preserve the integrity and availability of public agency resources. Requires the public access counselor to: (1) take specified actions with regard to identifying excessive and suspect public records requests; and (2) include in the public access counselor's annual report: (A) information regarding the volume and nature of public records requests received by public agencies, including information regarding suspect public records requests reported by public agencies; and (B) recommendations to the general assembly regarding statutory or administrative remedies to excessive and suspect public records requests.

Sponsors

Sponsors by party (alphabetical): Democratic 1 · Republican 4

“Support” is shown only as formal sponsorship recorded by the legislature. Roll-call votes are available on the official bill page.

Recent official actions

1. March 4, 2026Signed by the Governor
2. March 4, 2026Public Law 97
3. February 27, 2026Signed by the President Pro Tempore
4. February 27, 2026Signed by the President of the Senate
5. February 26, 2026Signed by the Speaker
6. February 25, 2026Motion to concur filed
7. February 25, 2026Returned to the House with amendments
8. February 25, 2026House concurred with Senate amendments; Roll Call 381: yeas 95, nays 0
9. February 24, 2026Third reading: passed; Roll Call 257: yeas 48, nays 0
10. February 23, 2026Second reading: ordered engrossed
11. February 19, 2026Committee report: amend do pass, adopted
12. February 2, 2026First reading: referred to Committee on Commerce and Technology

Showing 12 most recent of 23 actions. Full history