Features

By Mindy Pickett, Staff Attorney • Office of Court Services The following are the top changes of interest for judicial officers. Unless otherwise noted, the effective date for these bills is July 1, 2026. For summaries of all new relevant laws, please see the Legislative Update, legislativeupdate.courts.in.gov. Subscribe using the “Subscribe” button at the bottom of the page. All bills that have been signed into … [Read more...] about 2026 Legislative Update

By Cathrin Verano, Special Collections Development Librarian • Office of Communication, Education & Outreach The 2025 Indiana Civic Health Index, released on January 21, 2026, examines Hoosiers’ election participation, their community involvement, and the successes of the state’s civic education initiatives. It draws on data from the most recent U.S. Census and the 2024 presidential election to follow up on a … [Read more...] about Civic Health Index reveals successes and challenges for Hoosiers’ civic engagement

Day of the Child This past President’s Day, over 500 Hoosier youth used their day off from school as an opportunity to participate in civic engagement activities at the Indiana Statehouse. Known as “Day of the Child,” this effort is organized annually by the Commission on Improving the Status of Children, the Indiana Youth Institute, and the Marion County Commission on Youth. Included in the day was a morning … [Read more...] about Kids at the Capitol

By Peyton Restauri, Intern • Office of Communication, Education & Outreach What is the role of a judge beyond the bench and gavel? When a person envisions a judge, the first image that springs to mind might be a solitary figure in a black robe, presiding over a courtroom and issuing decisive rulings. While that representation fits part of the job, it falls short of depicting the many roles that judges p … [Read more...] about Graduate Judges Take on Civic Outreach

By Nick Parker, Staff Attorney | Office of Court Services, Adult Guardianship Office Guardianship is an area of law that continues to grow and evolve. In recent years, new laws and policies have re-evaluated how society views this legal arrangement, including what a guardian’s proper rights and responsibilities are for providing care to an adult in need of services. Framing this role will become more i … [Read more...] about The Future of Adult Guardianship