Indiana · 2026 Regular Session · Bill
SB 137: Involuntary treatment of substance use disorder.
In committee Official data
- Introduced
- In committee
- Passed one chamber
- Passed both chambers
- Enacted
Last official action: ·Record last updated:
Plain-language summary
SB 137 is a bill introduced in the Indiana Senate on January 5, 2026. According to its official title, it concerns: Involuntary treatment of substance use disorder. Primary sponsor: Dan Dernulc (Republican), Ed Charbonneau (Republican). Most recent recorded action (January 12, 2026): Senator Charbonneau added as second author.
Generated automatically from the official title, sponsor list, and status record only. It does not characterize the bill’s purpose or effects. How summaries are written
Official summary
Abstract published by the legislature (via Open States). Text as published by the legislature; reproduced verbatim.
Allows an individual's spouse, legal guardian, friend, relative, or medical service provider to petition a court for involuntary substance use disorder treatment. Requires a petition to include certain information and allows a court to dismiss a petition, without prejudice, if it does not contain the required information. Requires the court to appoint a public defender if the individual subject to a petition seeking involuntary substance use disorder treatment is not represented by an attorney. Requires a court to order the individual to be evaluated by a medical provider if the court finds that: (1) the individual has a substance use disorder; (2) because of the individual's substance use disorder, the individual is experiencing impaired judgment and is unable to independently maintain the individual's activities of daily living or is a danger to self or others; and (3) the individual refuses to voluntarily participate in substance use disorder treatment. Allows a court to order a local law enforcement agency to consider whether an individual meets the criteria for emergency detention under certain circumstances. Requires a medical provider who completes an evaluation concerning an individual's need for substance use disorder treatment to submit the evaluation to the court. Specifies that after receiving an evaluation from a medical provider, the court may dismiss the petition or set a hearing for further evidence to be presented about the individual's need for substance use disorder treatment. Requires a court to order involuntary outpatient substance use disorder treatment for a period, not to exceed 90 days, if medical evidence supports that the individual requires immediate treatment for a substance use disorder and the individual has refused treatment.
Sponsors
Sponsors by party (alphabetical): Republican 2
| Name | Role | Party | Chamber | District |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dan Dernulc | Primary sponsor | Republican | Senate | 1 |
| Ed Charbonneau | Primary sponsor | Republican | Senate | 5 |
“Support” is shown only as formal sponsorship recorded by the legislature. Roll-call votes are available on the official bill page.
Recent official actions
- Senator Charbonneau added as second author
- First reading: referred to Committee on Judiciary
- Authored by Senator Dernulc