Sec. 22. (a) The definitions in IC 32-31-3 apply throughout this section.

     (b) As used in this section, “penalty” refers to any of the following:

(1) The assessment of a penalty, fine, or fee.

(2) Actual or threatened eviction from a rental unit, or the causing of an actual or threatened eviction from a rental unit.

     (c) As used in this section, “political subdivision” has the meaning set forth in IC 36-1-2-13.

     (d) Except as provided in subsection (e), a political subdivision may not adopt or enforce any ordinance, rule, or regulation that imposes a penalty, or allows for the imposition of a penalty, against a tenant, an owner, or a landlord for a contact made to request law enforcement assistance or other emergency assistance for one (1) or more rental units if:

(1) the contact is made by or on behalf of:

(A) a victim or potential victim of abuse;

(B) a victim or potential victim of a crime; or

(C) an individual in an emergency; and

(2) either of the following applies:

(A) At the time the contact is made, the person making the contact reasonably believes that law enforcement assistance or other emergency assistance is necessary to prevent the perpetration or escalation of abuse, a crime, or an emergency.

(B) If abuse, a crime, or an emergency occurs, the law enforcement assistance or other emergency assistance was needed.

     (e) Subject to subsections (f) and (g), this section does not prohibit a political subdivision from adopting or enforcing an ordinance, a rule, or a regulation that imposes a penalty for a contact that:

(1) is made to request law enforcement assistance or other emergency assistance; and

(2) is not made by or on behalf of:

(A) a victim or potential victim of abuse;

(B) a victim or potential victim of a crime; or

(C) an individual in an emergency.

     (f) If:

(1) a political subdivision imposes a penalty under an ordinance, a rule, or a regulation authorized by subsection (e); and

(2) the prohibited contact to request law enforcement assistance or other emergency assistance is made by a tenant in a rental unit;

the penalty imposed must be assessed against the tenant of the rental unit and not against the landlord or owner of the rental unit.

     (g) Any penalty that is assessed under an ordinance, a rule, or a regulation authorized by subsection (e) may not exceed two hundred fifty dollars ($250).

     (h) Nothing in this section shall be construed to prevent a housing authority established under IC 36-7-18 from enforcing rights or remedies established by contract or federal law against a landlord or owner of a rental unit.

     (i) Nothing in this section shall be construed to prevent an attorney representing a city, county, or town from bringing a nuisance action described under IC 32-30-6-7(b) against a landlord or owner of a rental unit.

As added by P.L.266-2017, SEC.2. Amended by P.L.86-2018, SEC.227.