reglab/statecodes huggingface dataset:
2023 Indiana Code › Title 34. Civil Law and Procedure › Article 13. Causes of Action: Claims Against the Government › Chapter 5. Public Lawsuits for Testing Public Improvements of Municipal Corporations › 34-13-5-8. Appeals

Sec. 8. Appeals from any final judgment in a public lawsuit shall be governed by, and taken in the same manner and with the same time limits, as appeals from interlocutory orders of a circuit or superior court under applicable law.
[Pre-1998 Recodification Citation: 34-4-17-6.]
As added by P.L.1-1998, SEC.8.
2023 Indiana Code › Title 34. Civil Law and Procedure › Article 13. Causes of Action: Claims Against the Government › Chapter 5. Public Lawsuits for Testing Public Improvements of Municipal Corporations › 34-13-5-9. Extensions of Time; Advance of Trial or Appeal

Sec. 9. Extensions of time, both in the trial court and in the Indiana supreme court, shall be granted only in extreme cases. The trial of a public lawsuit and the hearing of any appeal shall be advanced by the trial court and by the Indiana supreme court respectively, without request of either party, as expeditiously as is reasonably possible.
[Pre-1998 Recodification Citation: 34-4-17-7.]
As added by P.L.1-1998, SEC.8.
2023 Indiana Code › Title 34. Civil Law and Procedure › Article 13. Causes of Action: Claims Against the Government › Chapter 5. Public Lawsuits for Testing Public Improvements of Municipal Corporations › 34-13-5-10. Jurisdiction of Trial Court

Sec. 10. (a) A public lawsuit may not be brought, and no trial court has jurisdiction of any public lawsuit that is brought:
(1) more than ten (10) days after the first publication required by law for the sale of bonds of a municipal corporation; or
(2) in the case of a lease under IC 20-47-2, more than ten (10) days after the first publication of notice by any school building corporation for the sale of its bonds;
but in no case later than the time limited for bringing suit under applicable law.
(b) After a public lawsuit is commenced, no other lawsuit relating to the same subject matter may be commenced, and no trial court has jurisdiction of any subsequent lawsuit. No action may be brought except as provided in this chapter if it could have been the subject of a public lawsuit. This chapter does not diminish any right of intervention of any person, or the right of any person to become a named party in the public lawsuit.
(c) This section shall not be construed to extend any existing statute of limitations on the bringing of any lawsuit.
[Pre-1998 Recodification Citation: 34-4-17-8(a).]
As added by P.L.1-1998, SEC.8. Amended by P.L.2-2006, SEC.184.
2023 Indiana Code › Title 34. Civil Law and Procedure › Article 13. Causes of Action: Claims Against the Government › Chapter 5. Public Lawsuits for Testing Public Improvements of Municipal Corporations › 34-13-5-11. Exhaustion of Administrative Remedies Required Before Bringing Public Lawsuit

Sec. 11. As a condition precedent to bringing any public lawsuit, a plaintiff must first exhaust all the administrative remedies available to the plaintiff under applicable law, including but not limited to the filing of a remonstrance where the issues raised could have been raised by the filing under applicable law. No plaintiff may commence a public lawsuit or be named as a party in the lawsuit unless one (1) of the plaintiffs has complied with this section.
[Pre-1998 Recodification Citation: 34-4-17-8(b).]
As added by P.L.1-1998, SEC.8.
2023 Indiana Code › Title 34. Civil Law and Procedure › Article 13. Causes of Action: Claims Against the Government › Chapter 5. Public Lawsuits for Testing Public Improvements of Municipal Corporations › 34-13-5-12. Matters to Be Heard in Public Hearing

Sec. 12. Where:
(1) as a condition precedent to the construction, financing, or leasing of a public improvement, the municipal corporation is required to hold a public hearing preceded by public notice; and
(2) the hearing is held and the notice is given in accordance with applicable law;
the plaintiff in a public lawsuit is not entitled to raise any issue in the public lawsuit that the plaintiff could have but did not raise at the hearing. Any matters or issues relating to any procedural matters that were not raised and could have been redone or corrected following the hearing are declared to be irregularities and not jurisdictional to the power of the municipal corporation or its governing body in connection with the construction, financing, or leasing.
[Pre-1998 Recodification Citation: 34-4-17-8(c).]
As added by P.L.1-1998, SEC.8.
2023 Indiana Code › Title 34. Civil Law and Procedure › Article 13. Causes of Action: Claims Against the Government › Chapter 6. Appeals From Actions of Municipalities › 34-13-6-1. Complaint; Filing; Contents

Sec. 1. (a) An appeal allowed by statute from any action or decision of:
(1) a board of a city;
(2) the legislative body of a city if it performs the functions of a board; or
(3) the legislative body of a town;
shall be filed as an original complaint against the city or town in the circuit or superior court of the county in which the municipality is located.
(b) The complaint on appeal must be filed not later than thirty (30) days after the date of the action or decision complained of, and one (1) or more parties appealing may join in the same complaint.
(c) The appeal may not be taken by transcript.
(d) The complaint on appeal must contain the following:
(1) The title of the cause, specifying the name of the court and the county in which the appeal is filed.
(2) Whether it is an appeal from a board or body.
(3) The name of every party plaintiff to the appeal. The municipality must be named as the only defendant. Neither the board, the body, nor the individual members of the board or body may be made parties defendant to the complaint.
(4) A statement:
(A) of the facts constituting the cause of appeal, showing the nature of the proceedings in which and the date on which the action or decision complained of was taken; and
(B) if a statute controlling the proceeding requires, that a remonstrance in writing was filed by the plaintiff with the board or body as prescribed by statute, setting out a copy of the remonstrance and showing the date on which the remonstrance was filed.
(5) A description of each lot or tract of land or other property owned or controlled by the party or parties appealing and the amount of the award of damages or the amount of the assessment of benefits complained of for each lot or tract of land or other property described in the complaint, including the action or decision of the board or body concerning the award or assessment.
(6) If an appeal authorized by statute from an action or decision of a board or body does not involve or is not limited to the question of the amount of the award of damages or the assessment of benefits, a specific allegation of the action or decision that causes the party to complain.
(7) A demand for the relief to which the plaintiff believes the plaintiff is entitled, stating when the plaintiff became involved and the amount of damages that should be awarded or the amount of benefits that should be assessed to or against each particular lot or tract of land or other property described in the complaint.
[Pre-1998 Recodification Citation: 34-4-17.5-1.]
As added by P.L.1-1998, SEC.8.
2023 Indiana Code › Title 34. Civil Law and Procedure › Article 13. Causes of Action: Claims Against the Government › Chapter 6. Appeals From Actions of Municipalities › 34-13-6-2. Pleading; Motions to Dismiss Complaint or Appeal

Sec. 2. A pleading is not required by the municipality to the complaint on appeal since the allegations of the complaint are considered to be denied. The municipality may file a motion to dismiss the complaint by presenting any question of law regarding the sufficiency of the complaint on its face. The municipality may also file a motion to dismiss the appeal:
(1) on the ground that the complaint was not filed within the time prescribed by law; or
(2) on any other jurisdictional ground affecting the subject matter or the parties.
[Pre-1998 Recodification Citation: 34-4-17.5-2.]
As added by P.L.1-1998, SEC.8.
2023 Indiana Code › Title 34. Civil Law and Procedure › Article 13. Causes of Action: Claims Against the Government › Chapter 6. Appeals From Actions of Municipalities › 34-13-6-3. Consolidation of Appeals; Separate Trial

Sec. 3. (a) If more than one (1) appeal is taken from a proceeding and the appeals are filed in the same or different courts, any party to an appeal may file in the court a motion stating that justice will be best served by consolidating the appeals. The party shall serve notice of the motion on the adverse party or the attorney of record.
(b) If the court in which the motion is filed decides that justice will be best served by the consolidation, the court shall order all of the appeals consolidated. The appeals shall be heard at the same time by the court, and different appeals pending in different courts may all be transferred to one (1) court for the purpose of consolidation or trial. The court may hear all appeals at the same time either with or without consolidation. However, if any party appealing or the municipality objects to consolidation, they have the right to a separate trial of each appeal.
[Pre-1998 Recodification Citation: 34-4-17.5-3.]
As added by P.L.1-1998, SEC.8.
2023 Indiana Code › Title 34. Civil Law and Procedure › Article 13. Causes of Action: Claims Against the Government › Chapter 6. Appeals From Actions of Municipalities › 34-13-6-4. Trial of Appeals; Scope of Review; Disposition

Sec. 4. (a) The decisions of the board or council appealed from are conclusive on all parties except the party appealing. The decision appealed from is considered prima facie correct and the burden of proof in all appeals is on the party appealing.
(b) All appeals shall be tried by the court without the intervention of a jury. The court shall try and hear de novo the issues of the action or decision of the board or council presented by written remonstrance or as otherwise provided by statute and raised by the appeals.
(c) The:
(1) method of arriving at the action or decision of the board or council in making an award of damages or assessment of benefits; and
(2) any issues not authorized by the statute to be made before the board or council, and appealed from;
may not be reviewed, considered, or adjudged by the court on appeal.
(d) The amount of benefits assessed or the damages awarded affecting any property, other than the property and the separate assessments or awards on them involved in each instance in a proceeding by a board or council from which an appeal is taken, may not be considered by the court on appeal.
(e) The court:
(1) may, on its own motion; and
(2) shall, on the motion of either party;
view and inspect any district, land, and property affected, damaged, benefited, or appropriated, including the work or thing proposed or done.
(f) The court, according to the particular statute allowing the appeal as the statute permits or prescribes the matters that may be considered, may set aside, affirm, lower, or increase an award, damages, or assessment of benefits as the court considers just and then order that action. The court also may affirm, reverse, or modify, in whole or in part, the action or decision of the board or council appealed from. The order and judgment of the court is conclusive upon all parties, and no appeal lies except upon questions affecting the jurisdiction of the court.
[Pre-1998 Recodification Citation: 34-4-17.5-4.]
As added by P.L.1-1998, SEC.8.
2023 Indiana Code › Title 34. Civil Law and Procedure › Article 13. Causes of Action: Claims Against the Government › Chapter 6. Appeals From Actions of Municipalities › 34-13-6-5. Findings of Court; Judgment; Costs; Damages; Assessment of Benefits

Sec. 5. (a) If the court finds that the action or decision of the board or council appealed from should in all things be affirmed, its judgment must state that, naming the board or council and the proceedings in which the appeal is taken. Judgment for costs shall then be rendered against the party appealing.
(b) If the court finds that the action or decision of the board or council appealed from should not be affirmed in all things, then the court shall make a general finding, setting out, however, sufficient facts to show the nature of the proceeding and the court's decision on it. The court shall then render judgment on all matters properly involved in the appeal, adjudging specifically the amount of the award of damages or the amount of the assessment of benefits found by the court to be due to each lot, parcel, or description or property involved in the appeal and adjudging that the award or assessment is payable as provided by statute.
(c) The court shall render judgment on other matters involved where the particular appeal allowed by a statute does not relate to the award of damages or the assessment of benefits.
(d) The court shall also render judgment on the costs of the appeal as the facts and law require.
(e) If the appeal involves the amount of an award of damages or the amount of an assessment of benefits, or both, the court shall include an order, if appropriate, for the issuance of a certificate of damages, bearing legal interest from the date of issuance, to the person entitled to it upon all the terms and conditions that are provided by the applicable statute. If the appeal involves benefits, the court shall permit the assessment of benefits to be paid in full, or a written waiver may be executed and filed for paying it in ten (10) annual installments, with legal interest payable, and upon all other terms and conditions that are provided by the applicable statute. All of this must be done within thirty (30) days after the date on which the clerk of the court certifies the order and judgment for transmission to the board or council. If an assessment of benefits is not paid or a waiver executed and filed as provided before the expiration of the thirty (30) day period, the assessment becomes delinquent and is subject to all penalties and to collection as is provided by the applicable statute.
[Pre-1998 Recodification Citation: 34-4-17.5-5.]
As added by P.L.1-1998, SEC.8.
2023 Indiana Code › Title 34. Civil Law and Procedure › Article 13. Causes of Action: Claims Against the Government › Chapter 6. Appeals From Actions of Municipalities › 34-13-6-6. Change of Venue or Judge; Rehearing; Supreme Court Appeal; Procedure

Sec. 6. A change of venue from the county is not allowed in the appeal, but a change of judge shall be allowed as provided for civil actions. A petition for rehearing may be filed by any party within fifteen (15) days after the decision, order, and judgment of the court. Pending that time and until a petition so filed is ruled upon, the order and judgment of the court may be certified to the board or council. At the time of ruling upon a petition, the court may grant time for filing an appeal bond and special bills of exceptions embracing as much of the record as is necessary to present fully any questions. The appeal must be fully perfected within sixty (60) days from the final ruling and action of the court upon the petition for a rehearing and shall be taken direct to the supreme court of Indiana, where it shall be placed upon the advance calendar of the court. The rules of trial procedure govern in all matters of procedure not otherwise provided for by this chapter.
[Pre-1998 Recodification Citation: 34-4-17.5-6.]
As added by P.L.1-1998, SEC.8.
2023 Indiana Code › Title 34. Civil Law and Procedure › Article 13. Causes of Action: Claims Against the Government › Chapter 6. Appeals From Actions of Municipalities › 34-13-6-7. Increase in Damages or Reduction in Assessment of Benefits; Liability of City; Costs of Appeal

Sec. 7. (a) If on appeal:
(1) the amount of an award of damages is increased; or
(2) the amount of an assessment of benefits is reduced;
the municipality is liable to the plaintiff for the increase in the award of damages and is liable to the party entitled to them for a reduction in the assessment of benefits.
(b) The amounts, costs, and expense, if the appeal is taken from the board of public works or the board of public works and safety, shall be paid by the board out of funds appropriated by the common council or city-county council for that purpose, or as otherwise provided by statute.
(c) The council shall make all necessary appropriations as provided by statute to enable the board to make all payments required by this chapter, if not otherwise provided by statute and available for these purposes.
(d) If the appeal is taken from the board of park commissioners of a city, then the amounts, costs, and expenses shall be paid by the board out of its general fund, or as otherwise provided by statute.
(e) If the appeal is taken from the legislative body, other body, or an official of a municipality, the amounts required to comply with the court's order and judgment shall be appropriated and paid in any manner authorized by statute.
[Pre-1998 Recodification Citation: 34-4-17.5-7.]
As added by P.L.1-1998, SEC.8.
2023 Indiana Code › Title 34. Civil Law and Procedure › Article 13. Causes of Action: Claims Against the Government › Chapter 6. Appeals From Actions of Municipalities › 34-13-6-8. Priority of Appeal

Sec. 8. An appeal takes precedence over other pending litigation and shall be tried and determined by the court at as early a date as practical.
[Pre-1998 Recodification Citation: 34-4-17.5-8.]
As added by P.L.1-1998, SEC.8.
2023 Indiana Code › Title 34. Civil Law and Procedure › Article 13. Causes of Action: Claims Against the Government › Chapter 7. Commencement of Action Against Public Employees and Government Entities by Offender › 34-13-7-1. Required Submissions by an Offender Bringing an Action Against Public Employees and Governmental Entities

Sec. 1. (a) In addition to any other requirements under law, before filing a civil rights action or tort claim action against a public employee or government entity, an offender must submit to the trial court:
(1) a copy of the complaint the offender wishes to file;
(2) a list of all cases previously filed by the offender involving the same, similar, or related cause of actions; and
(3) a copy of all relevant documents pertaining to the ultimate disposition of each previous case filed by the offender against any of the same defendants in a state or federal court. The relevant documents include:
(A) the complaint;
(B) any motions to dismiss or motions for summary judgment filed by the defendants in the actions;
(C) the state or federal court order announcing disposition of the case; and
(D) any opinions issued in the case by any appellate court.
(b) An offender must file with the court a brief that includes:
(1) a legal argument;
(2) a citation to authority; and
(3) an explanation to the court why the new action is not subject to dismissal as a matter finally decided on its merits by a court and not subject to litigation again between the same parties.
(c) If the trial court determines that the complaint is frivolous, malicious, or otherwise utterly without merit, or fails to state a claim upon which relief may be granted, the court shall dismiss the complaint.
As added by P.L.80-2004, SEC.7.
2023 Indiana Code › Title 34. Civil Law and Procedure › Article 13. Causes of Action: Claims Against the Government › Chapter 8. Special Supplemental Relief › 34-13-8-1. "Eligible Person"

Sec. 1. As used in this chapter, "eligible person" refers to a person or the estate of a person that properly filed a claim with the state, in the form prescribed by the attorney general, before December 31, 2011, for physical injury or death resulting from an occurrence.
As added by P.L.160-2012, SEC.62.
2023 Indiana Code › Title 34. Civil Law and Procedure › Article 13. Causes of Action: Claims Against the Government › Chapter 8. Special Supplemental Relief › 34-13-8-2. "Occurrence"

Sec. 2. As used in this chapter, "occurrence" refers to one (1) or more acts or omissions by the state or employees of the state in connection with a single event occurring after July 31, 2011, and before September 1, 2011, that resulted in the death of seven (7) or more persons.
As added by P.L.160-2012, SEC.62.
2023 Indiana Code › Title 34. Civil Law and Procedure › Article 13. Causes of Action: Claims Against the Government › Chapter 8. Special Supplemental Relief › 34-13-8-3. "Supplemental Fund"

Sec. 3. As used in this chapter, "supplemental fund" refers to the supplemental state fair relief fund established by section 9 of this chapter.
As added by P.L.160-2012, SEC.62.
2023 Indiana Code › Title 34. Civil Law and Procedure › Article 13. Causes of Action: Claims Against the Government › Chapter 8. Special Supplemental Relief › 34-13-8-4. Intent; Compromise of Claims; Application

Sec. 4. (a) Recognizing the special conditions created by an occurrence, it is the intent of the general assembly to provide supplemental relief for victims of the occurrence. It is not the intent of the general assembly to revise the tort claims act in order to address the special situation of the occurrence.
(b) The attorney general may compromise or settle a claim or suit brought against the state or its employees as provided in this chapter.
(c) Only eligible persons are eligible to receive compensation under this chapter.
As added by P.L.160-2012, SEC.62.
2023 Indiana Code › Title 34. Civil Law and Procedure › Article 13. Causes of Action: Claims Against the Government › Chapter 8. Special Supplemental Relief › 34-13-8-6. Requirement; Release of Additional Claims

Sec. 6. (a) To receive a distribution under this chapter for an occurrence, an eligible person must have already released all governmental entities and public employees from any liability for loss resulting from the occurrence. The release must be in a form that is satisfactory to the attorney general.
(b) A distribution may not be paid under this chapter from the supplemental fund to an eligible person unless the eligible person has entered into an agreement with the state providing that the person will not bring any action against the state based on an indemnification clause.
As added by P.L.160-2012, SEC.62.
2023 Indiana Code › Title 34. Civil Law and Procedure › Article 13. Causes of Action: Claims Against the Government › Chapter 8. Special Supplemental Relief › 34-13-8-7. Additional Payments Reduced by Prior Payments

Sec. 7. The amount payable after December 31, 2011, as provided in section 5(b) of this chapter to an eligible person shall be reduced by any amount that was paid under IC 34-13-3 from the state tort claim fund before January 1, 2012, for the death or physical injury.
As added by P.L.160-2012, SEC.62.
2023 Indiana Code › Title 34. Civil Law and Procedure › Article 13. Causes of Action: Claims Against the Government › Chapter 8. Special Supplemental Relief › 34-13-8-8. Limitation on Attorney's Fees

Sec. 8. If an eligible person is represented by an attorney regarding compensation from the supplemental fund, the attorney's fees paid to the attorney or attorneys for the representation of the eligible person regarding compensation from the supplemental fund may not exceed, in aggregate, ten percent (10%) of the total compensation paid to the eligible person from the supplemental fund.
As added by P.L.160-2012, SEC.62.
2023 Indiana Code › Title 34. Civil Law and Procedure › Article 13. Causes of Action: Claims Against the Government › Chapter 8. Special Supplemental Relief › 34-13-8-9. Establishment of Fund

Sec. 9. (a) The supplemental state fair relief fund is established for the purpose of providing supplemental relief to the victims of the occurrence.
(b) The supplemental fund consists of grants, donations, and appropriations made by the general assembly. The supplemental fund shall be administered by the attorney general. The treasurer of state shall invest the money in the supplemental fund not currently needed to meet the obligations of the supplemental fund in the same manner as other public money may be invested. Interest that accrues from these investments shall be deposited in the state general fund. The expenses of administering the supplemental fund shall be paid from the state tort claim fund established to pay claims and expenses under IC 34-13-3-24.
(c) The supplemental fund is considered a trust fund for purposes of IC 4-9.1-1-7. Money may not be transferred, assigned, or otherwise removed from the supplemental fund by the state board of finance, the budget agency, or any other state agency except as provided in this chapter.
(d) Money in the supplemental fund at the end of a state fiscal year does not revert to the state general fund. Money in the supplemental fund is continually appropriated to the attorney general to carry out the purposes of the supplemental fund.
As added by P.L.160-2012, SEC.62.
2023 Indiana Code › Title 34. Civil Law and Procedure › Article 13. Causes of Action: Claims Against the Government › Chapter 8. Special Supplemental Relief › 34-13-8-10. Use of Money in Fund

Sec. 10. (a) The attorney general may use the money in the supplemental fund to pay compensation to eligible persons as provided in this chapter.
(b) After the estate of each eligible person whose death resulted from an occurrence has received seven hundred thousand dollars ($700,000), and each other eligible person who was physically injured as a result of an occurrence has been compensated in the amount determined under section 5(b)(2) of this chapter, the remaining balance in the supplemental fund shall be used to pay compensation for ongoing expenses to eligible persons described in section 5(b)(3) of this chapter according to the process established by the attorney general under section 5(b)(4) of this chapter. Compensation paid from the supplemental fund may not be used for the following:
(1) Expenses covered by insurance.
(2) Expenses covered by another party.
As added by P.L.160-2012, SEC.62.
2023 Indiana Code › Title 34. Civil Law and Procedure › Article 13. Causes of Action: Claims Against the Government › Chapter 8. Special Supplemental Relief › 34-13-8-11. Payment of Expenses of Administration

Sec. 11. The expenses incurred by the attorney general in carrying out this chapter (including any expenses for arbitrators, mediators, consultants, or any other experts) shall be paid from the state tort claim fund established to pay claims and expenses under IC 34-13-3-24.
As added by P.L.160-2012, SEC.62.
2023 Indiana Code › Title 34. Civil Law and Procedure › Article 13. Causes of Action: Claims Against the Government › Chapter 8. Special Supplemental Relief › 34-13-8-12. Assignment of Claims to State

Sec. 12. (a) An eligible person may assign to the attorney general the eligible person's right to pursue a cause of action for the tortious breach of an insurer's duty to deal with an insured person in good faith.
(b) If the insurance commissioner believes that a person has engaged in any of the acts or practices listed in IC 27-4-1-4.5 in relation to an occurrence, the insurance commissioner may issue and cause to be served upon the person a statement of the charges and a notice in writing of a hearing as provided in IC 27-4-1-5. If after a hearing under IC 4-21.5-3, the insurance commissioner determines that the person has engaged in any of the acts or practices listed in IC 27-4-1-4.5 in relation to an occurrence, the insurance commissioner may at the insurance commissioner's discretion order one (1) or more of the remedies provided in IC 27-4-1-6. Notwithstanding IC 27-4-1, the insurance commissioner may take an action under this subsection regarding the commission by a person of a single act or practice listed in IC 27-4-1-4.5 in relation to an occurrence, without having to demonstrate that the act or practice occurs with such frequency as to indicate a general practice by the person.
As added by P.L.160-2012, SEC.62.
2023 Indiana Code › Title 34. Civil Law and Procedure › Article 13. Causes of Action: Claims Against the Government › Chapter 9. Religious Freedom Restoration › 34-13-9-0.7. Application

Sec. 0.7. This chapter does not:
(1) authorize a provider to refuse to offer or provide services, facilities, use of public accommodations, goods, employment, or housing to any member or members of the general public on the basis of race, color, religion, ancestry, age, national origin, disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, or United States military service;
(2) establish a defense to a civil action or criminal prosecution for refusal by a provider to offer or provide services, facilities, use of public accommodations, goods, employment, or housing to any member or members of the general public on the basis of race, color, religion, ancestry, age, national origin, disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, or United States military service; or
(3) negate any rights available under the Constitution of the State of Indiana.
As added by P.L.4-2015, SEC.1.
2023 Indiana Code › Title 34. Civil Law and Procedure › Article 13. Causes of Action: Claims Against the Government › Chapter 9. Religious Freedom Restoration › 34-13-9-1. Application

Sec. 1. This chapter applies to all governmental entity statutes, ordinances, resolutions, executive or administrative orders, regulations, customs, and usages, including the implementation or application thereof, regardless of whether they were enacted, adopted, or initiated before, on, or after July 1, 2015.
As added by P.L.3-2015, SEC.1.
2023 Indiana Code › Title 34. Civil Law and Procedure › Article 13. Causes of Action: Claims Against the Government › Chapter 9. Religious Freedom Restoration › 34-13-9-2. Exemptions

Sec. 2. A governmental entity statute, ordinance, resolution, executive or administrative order, regulation, custom, or usage may not be construed to be exempt from the application of this chapter unless a state statute expressly exempts the statute, ordinance, resolution, executive or administrative order, regulation, custom, or usage from the application of this chapter by citation to this chapter.
As added by P.L.3-2015, SEC.1.
2023 Indiana Code › Title 34. Civil Law and Procedure › Article 13. Causes of Action: Claims Against the Government › Chapter 9. Religious Freedom Restoration › 34-13-9-3. Establishment Clause

Sec. 3. (a) The following definitions apply throughout this section:
(1) "Establishment Clause" refers to the part of the First Amendment of the Constitution of the United States or the Constitution of the State of Indiana prohibiting laws respecting the establishment of religion.
(2) "Granting", used with respect to government funding, benefits, or exemptions, does not include the denial of government funding, benefits, or exemptions.
(b) This chapter may not be construed to affect, interpret, or in any way address the Establishment Clause.
(c) Granting government funding, benefits, or exemptions, to the extent permissible under the Establishment Clause, does not constitute a violation of this chapter.
As added by P.L.3-2015, SEC.1.
2023 Indiana Code › Title 34. Civil Law and Procedure › Article 13. Causes of Action: Claims Against the Government › Chapter 9. Religious Freedom Restoration › 34-13-9-4. "Demonstrates"

Sec. 4. As used in this chapter, "demonstrates" means meets the burdens of going forward with the evidence and of persuasion.
As added by P.L.3-2015, SEC.1.
2023 Indiana Code › Title 34. Civil Law and Procedure › Article 13. Causes of Action: Claims Against the Government › Chapter 9. Religious Freedom Restoration › 34-13-9-5. "Exercise of Religion"

Sec. 5. As used in this chapter, "exercise of religion" includes any exercise of religion, whether or not compelled by, or central to, a system of religious belief.
As added by P.L.3-2015, SEC.1.
2023 Indiana Code › Title 34. Civil Law and Procedure › Article 13. Causes of Action: Claims Against the Government › Chapter 9. Religious Freedom Restoration › 34-13-9-6. "Governmental Entity"

Sec. 6. As used in this chapter, "governmental entity" includes the whole or any part of a branch, department, agency, instrumentality, official, or other individual or entity acting under color of law of any of the following:
(1) State government.
(2) A political subdivision (as defined in IC 36-1-2-13).
(3) An instrumentality of a governmental entity described in subdivision (1) or (2), including a state educational institution, a body politic, a body corporate and politic, or any other similar entity established by law.
As added by P.L.3-2015, SEC.1.
2023 Indiana Code › Title 34. Civil Law and Procedure › Article 13. Causes of Action: Claims Against the Government › Chapter 9. Religious Freedom Restoration › 34-13-9-7. "Person"

Sec. 7. As used in this chapter, "person" includes the following:
(1) An individual.
(2) An organization, a religious society, a church, a body of communicants, or a group organized and operated primarily for religious purposes.
(3) A partnership, a limited liability company, a corporation, a company, a firm, a society, a joint-stock company, an unincorporated association, or another entity that:
(A) may sue and be sued; and
(B) exercises practices that are compelled or limited by a system of religious belief held by:
(i) an individual; or
(ii) the individuals;
who have control and substantial ownership of the entity, regardless of whether the entity is organized and operated for profit or nonprofit purposes.
As added by P.L.3-2015, SEC.1.
2023 Indiana Code › Title 34. Civil Law and Procedure › Article 13. Causes of Action: Claims Against the Government › Chapter 9. Religious Freedom Restoration › 34-13-9-7.5. "Provider"

Sec. 7.5. As used in this chapter, "provider" means one (1) or more individuals, partnerships, associations, organizations, limited liability companies, corporations, and other organized groups of persons. The term does not include:
(1) A church or other nonprofit religious organization or society, including an affiliated school, that is exempt from federal income taxation under 26 U.S.C. 501(a), as amended (excluding any activity that generates unrelated business taxable income (as defined in 26 U.S.C. 512, as amended)).
(2) A rabbi, priest, preacher, minister, pastor, or designee of a church or other nonprofit religious organization or society when the individual is engaged in a religious or affiliated educational function of the church or other nonprofit religious organization or society.
As added by P.L.4-2015, SEC.2.
2023 Indiana Code › Title 34. Civil Law and Procedure › Article 13. Causes of Action: Claims Against the Government › Chapter 9. Religious Freedom Restoration › 34-13-9-8. Exercise of Religion

Sec. 8. (a) Except as provided in subsection (b), a governmental entity may not substantially burden a person's exercise of religion, even if the burden results from a rule of general applicability.
(b) A governmental entity may substantially burden a person's exercise of religion only if the governmental entity demonstrates that application of the burden to the person:
(1) is in furtherance of a compelling governmental interest; and
(2) is the least restrictive means of furthering that compelling governmental interest.
As added by P.L.3-2015, SEC.1.
2023 Indiana Code › Title 34. Civil Law and Procedure › Article 13. Causes of Action: Claims Against the Government › Chapter 9. Religious Freedom Restoration › 34-13-9-9. Violations

Sec. 9. A person whose exercise of religion has been substantially burdened, or is likely to be substantially burdened, by a violation of this chapter may assert the violation or impending violation as a claim or defense in a judicial or administrative proceeding, regardless of whether the state or any other governmental entity is a party to the proceeding. If the relevant governmental entity is not a party to the proceeding, the governmental entity has an unconditional right to intervene in order to respond to the person's invocation of this chapter.
As added by P.L.3-2015, SEC.1.
2023 Indiana Code › Title 34. Civil Law and Procedure › Article 13. Causes of Action: Claims Against the Government › Chapter 9. Religious Freedom Restoration › 34-13-9-10. Defense; Relief; Awarding of Costs

Sec. 10. (a) If a court or other tribunal in which a violation of this chapter is asserted in conformity with section 9 of this chapter determines that:
(1) the person's exercise of religion has been substantially burdened, or is likely to be substantially burdened; and
(2) the governmental entity imposing the burden has not demonstrated that application of the burden to the person:
(A) is in furtherance of a compelling governmental interest; and
(B) is the least restrictive means of furthering that compelling governmental interest;
the court or other tribunal shall allow a defense against any party and shall grant appropriate relief against the governmental entity.
(b) Relief against the governmental entity may include any of the following:
(1) Declaratory relief or an injunction or mandate that prevents, restrains, corrects, or abates the violation of this chapter.
(2) Compensatory damages.
(c) In the appropriate case, the court or other tribunal also may award all or part of the costs of litigation, including reasonable attorney's fees, to a person that prevails against the governmental entity under this chapter.
As added by P.L.3-2015, SEC.1.
2023 Indiana Code › Title 34. Civil Law and Procedure › Article 13. Causes of Action: Claims Against the Government › Chapter 9. Religious Freedom Restoration › 34-13-9-11. Private Causes of Action

Sec. 11. This chapter is not intended to, and shall not be construed or interpreted to, create a claim or private cause of action against any private employer by any applicant, employee, or former employee.
As added by P.L.3-2015, SEC.1.
2023 Indiana Code › Title 34. Civil Law and Procedure › Article 14. Causes of Action: Declaratory Judgment › Chapter 1. Uniform Declaratory Judgment Act › 34-14-1-1. Power of Court; Form and Effect of Declaration

Sec. 1. Courts of record within their respective jurisdictions have the power to declare rights, status, and other legal relations whether or not further relief is or could be claimed. No action or proceeding is open to objection on the ground that a declaratory judgment or decree is prayed for. The declaration may be either affirmative or negative in form and effect. The declaration has the force and effect of a final judgment or decree.
[Pre-1998 Recodification Citation: 34-4-10-1.]
As added by P.L.1-1998, SEC.9.
2023 Indiana Code › Title 34. Civil Law and Procedure › Article 14. Causes of Action: Declaratory Judgment › Chapter 1. Uniform Declaratory Judgment Act › 34-14-1-2. Persons Who May Obtain Declaratory Judgment

Sec. 2. Any person interested under a deed, will, written contract, or other writings constituting a contract, or whose rights, status, or other legal relations are affected by a statute, municipal ordinance, contract, or franchise, may have determined any question of construction or validity arising under the instrument, statute, ordinance, contract, or franchise and obtain a declaration of rights, status, or other legal relations thereunder.
[Pre-1998 Recodification Citation: 34-4-10-2.]
As added by P.L.1-1998, SEC.9.
2023 Indiana Code › Title 34. Civil Law and Procedure › Article 14. Causes of Action: Declaratory Judgment › Chapter 1. Uniform Declaratory Judgment Act › 34-14-1-3. Construction of Contract Before or After Breach

Sec. 3. A contract may be construed either before or after there has been a breach of the contract.
[Pre-1998 Recodification Citation: 34-4-10-3.]
As added by P.L.1-1998, SEC.9.
2023 Indiana Code › Title 34. Civil Law and Procedure › Article 14. Causes of Action: Declaratory Judgment › Chapter 1. Uniform Declaratory Judgment Act › 34-14-1-4. Declarations Regarding Trusts or Estates

Sec. 4. Any person interested as or through an executor, administrator, trustee, guardian, or other fiduciary, creditor, devisee, legatee, heir, next of kin, or cestui que trust in the administration of a trust, or of the estate of a decedent, a person under eighteen (18) years of age, or a mentally incompetent person may have a declaration of rights or legal relations:
(1) to ascertain any class of creditors, devisee, legatees, heirs, next of kin, or others;
(2) to direct the executors, administrators, or trustees to do or abstain from doing any particular act in their fiduciary capacity; or
(3) to determine any question arising in the administration of the estate or trust, including questions of construction of wills and other writings.
[Pre-1998 Recodification Citation: 34-4-10-4.]
As added by P.L.1-1998, SEC.9.
2023 Indiana Code › Title 34. Civil Law and Procedure › Article 14. Causes of Action: Declaratory Judgment › Chapter 1. Uniform Declaratory Judgment Act › 34-14-1-5. General Powers Not Restricted by Enumeration of Specific Powers

Sec. 5. The enumeration in sections 2, 3, or 4 of this chapter does not limit or restrict the exercise of the general powers conferred in section 1 of this chapter in any proceeding where declaratory relief is sought, in which a judgment or decree will terminate the controversy or remove an uncertainty.
[Pre-1998 Recodification Citation: 34-4-10-5.]
As added by P.L.1-1998, SEC.9.
2023 Indiana Code › Title 34. Civil Law and Procedure › Article 14. Causes of Action: Declaratory Judgment › Chapter 1. Uniform Declaratory Judgment Act › 34-14-1-6. Refusal to Render Declaratory Judgment; Discretion of Court

Sec. 6. The court may refuse to render or enter a declaratory judgment or decree where the judgment or decree, if rendered or entered, would not terminate the uncertainty or controversy giving rise to the proceeding.
[Pre-1998 Recodification Citation: 34-4-10-6.]
As added by P.L.1-1998, SEC.9.
2023 Indiana Code › Title 34. Civil Law and Procedure › Article 14. Causes of Action: Declaratory Judgment › Chapter 1. Uniform Declaratory Judgment Act › 34-14-1-7. Review of Judgments or Decrees

Sec. 7. All orders, judgments, and decrees under this chapter may be reviewed as other orders, judgments, and decrees.
[Pre-1998 Recodification Citation: 34-4-10-7.]
As added by P.L.1-1998, SEC.9.
2023 Indiana Code › Title 34. Civil Law and Procedure › Article 14. Causes of Action: Declaratory Judgment › Chapter 1. Uniform Declaratory Judgment Act › 34-14-1-8. Further Relief Based on Declaratory Judgment; Application

Sec. 8. Further relief based on a declaratory judgment or decree may be granted whenever necessary or proper. The application for further relief must be by petition to a court having jurisdiction to grant the relief. If the application is deemed sufficient, the court shall, on reasonable notice, require any adverse party whose rights have been adjudicated by the declaratory judgment or decree to show cause why further relief should not be immediately granted.
[Pre-1998 Recodification Citation: 34-4-10-8.]
As added by P.L.1-1998, SEC.9.
2023 Indiana Code › Title 34. Civil Law and Procedure › Article 14. Causes of Action: Declaratory Judgment › Chapter 1. Uniform Declaratory Judgment Act › 34-14-1-9. Trial on Issues of Fact

Sec. 9. When a proceeding under this chapter involves the determination of an issue of fact, the issue may be tried and determined in the same manner as issues of fact are tried and determined in other civil actions in the court in which the proceeding is pending.
[Pre-1998 Recodification Citation: 34-4-10-9.]
As added by P.L.1-1998, SEC.9.
2023 Indiana Code › Title 34. Civil Law and Procedure › Article 14. Causes of Action: Declaratory Judgment › Chapter 1. Uniform Declaratory Judgment Act › 34-14-1-10. Award of Costs

Sec. 10. In any proceeding under this chapter, the court may make an award of costs as may seem equitable and just.
[Pre-1998 Recodification Citation: 34-4-10-10.]
As added by P.L.1-1998, SEC.9.
2023 Indiana Code › Title 34. Civil Law and Procedure › Article 14. Causes of Action: Declaratory Judgment › Chapter 1. Uniform Declaratory Judgment Act › 34-14-1-11. Parties to Action; Municipalities and Attorney General as Parties; Right of Attorney General to Intervene

Sec. 11. When declaratory relief is sought, all persons shall be made parties who have or claim any interest that would be affected by the declaration, and no declaration shall prejudice the rights of persons not parties to the proceeding. In any proceeding in which a statute, ordinance, or franchise is alleged to be unconstitutional, the court shall certify this fact to the attorney general, and the attorney general shall be permitted to intervene for presentation of evidence, if evidence is otherwise admissible in the case, and for arguments on the question of constitutionality. In any proceeding that involves the validity of a municipal ordinance or franchise, the municipality shall be made a party, and shall be entitled to be heard. If the statute, ordinance, or franchise is alleged to be unconstitutional, the attorney general of the state shall also be served with a copy of the proceeding and be entitled to be heard.
[Pre-1998 Recodification Citation: 34-4-10-11.]
As added by P.L.1-1998, SEC.9. Amended by P.L.40-2010, SEC.1.
2023 Indiana Code › Title 34. Civil Law and Procedure › Article 14. Causes of Action: Declaratory Judgment › Chapter 1. Uniform Declaratory Judgment Act › 34-14-1-12. Purpose of Chapter

Sec. 12. This chapter is declared to be remedial. The purpose of this chapter is to settle and to afford relief from uncertainty and insecurity with respect to rights, status and other legal relations; and is to be liberally construed and administered.
[Pre-1998 Recodification Citation: 34-4-10-12.]
As added by P.L.1-1998, SEC.9.
2023 Indiana Code › Title 34. Civil Law and Procedure › Article 14. Causes of Action: Declaratory Judgment › Chapter 1. Uniform Declaratory Judgment Act › 34-14-1-13. "Person" Defined

Sec. 13. The word "person" wherever used in this chapter shall be construed to mean any person, partnership, limited liability company, joint stock company, unincorporated association, or society, or municipal or other corporation of any character whatsoever.
[Pre-1998 Recodification Citation: 34-4-10-13 part.]
As added by P.L.1-1998, SEC.9.
2023 Indiana Code › Title 34. Civil Law and Procedure › Article 14. Causes of Action: Declaratory Judgment › Chapter 1. Uniform Declaratory Judgment Act › 34-14-1-14. Severability of Certain Sections

Sec. 14. The several sections and provisions of this chapter except sections 1 and 2, are hereby declared independent and severable, and the invalidity, if any, of any part or feature thereof shall not affect or render the remainder of the chapter invalid or inoperative.
[Pre-1998 Recodification Citation: 34-4-10-14.]
As added by P.L.1-1998, SEC.9.
2023 Indiana Code › Title 34. Civil Law and Procedure › Article 14. Causes of Action: Declaratory Judgment › Chapter 1. Uniform Declaratory Judgment Act › 34-14-1-15. Construction of Chapter

Sec. 15. This chapter shall be so interpreted and construed as to effectuate its general purpose to make uniform the law of those states which enact it, and to harmonize, as far as possible, with federal laws and regulations on the subject of declaratory judgments and decrees.
[Pre-1998 Recodification Citation: 34-4-10-15.]
As added by P.L.1-1998, SEC.9.
2023 Indiana Code › Title 34. Civil Law and Procedure › Article 14. Causes of Action: Declaratory Judgment › Chapter 1. Uniform Declaratory Judgment Act › 34-14-1-16. Short Title

Sec. 16. This chapter may be cited as the Uniform Declaratory Judgments Act.
[Pre-1998 Recodification Citation: 34-4-10-16.]
As added by P.L.1-1998, SEC.9.
2023 Indiana Code › Title 34. Civil Law and Procedure › Article 15. Causes of Action: Defamation, Libel, and Slander › Chapter 1. Pleadings in Actions for Libel or Slander › 34-15-1-1. Allegation; Burden of Proof

Sec. 1. In an action for libel or slander, it is sufficient to state generally that the defamatory matter published or spoken was about the plaintiff. If the defendant denies the allegation, the plaintiff must prove at trial the facts showing that the defamatory matter was published or spoken about the plaintiff.
[Pre-1998 Recodification Citation: 34-1-5-1.]
As added by P.L.1-1998, SEC.10.