Indiana Governor Mike Braun delivers a decisive victory for Hoosier families by signing tough new laws shielding children from online predators and big tech overreach.
Story Highlights
- Governor Braun signed HEA 1408 and HEA 1303 on April 1, 2026, mandating parental consent for kids under 16 on social media and hiking penalties for child predators.
- HEA 1408 blocks direct messages from strangers to minors and empowers parents to monitor usage, putting family control first.
- HEA 1303 tightens sex offender registration, including out-of-state offenders, amid 7,000 tips and 92 arrests in 2026 by expanded ICAC Task Force.
- Republican leadership contrasts federal failures under past globalist policies, prioritizing American kids over endless foreign entanglements.
Bill Signing Protects Hoosier Children Online
Governor Mike Braun held a ceremonial signing on April 1, 2026, for House Enrolled Acts 1408 and 1303. These measures target online child exploitation directly. HEA 1408 requires verifiable parental consent for social media accounts used by Indiana residents under 16. It also restricts direct messages from strangers to these minors. Parents gain tools to monitor and limit their children’s social media activity. The bills take effect July 1, 2026, empowering families against platform risks.
Stricter Penalties Target Predators
HEA 1303 raises penalties for distributing child sexual abuse material. It strengthens sex offender registration requirements, extending to out-of-state offenders operating in Indiana. This builds on prior enforcement like 2024’s HEA 1307, which banned serious offenders from public parks with children. Indiana State Police and the ICAC Task Force drove these changes. The task force expanded by 50 officers to 520 personnel statewide.
Proven Law Enforcement Success
In 2025, the ICAC Task Force arrested 499 individuals and rescued 126 children. Year-to-date 2026 shows 92 arrests, including 20 hands-on offenders, and 5 rescues. Authorities processed around 7,000 tips, highlighting persistent threats. Governor Braun noted Indiana’s proportional investment exceeds other states. This tough-on-crime approach aligns with conservative values of protecting the innocent without government overreach into family life.
Senator Mike Bohacek filed SB 290 on January 15, 2026, to update age-of-consent laws. It criminalizes sexual activity by adults over 24 with 16-year-olds or over 25 with 16-17-year-olds, mandating registration. While separate from the signed bills, it reflects Republican commitment to closing legal loopholes that endanger youth.
Empowering Parents Amid National Failures
Braun urged media companies to self-regulate after the signing. These laws counter big tech’s role in enabling predator access to children. Short-term gains include reduced risks via DM blocks and parental tools. Long-term, harsher penalties and bolstered enforcement deter offenders. Hoosier parents benefit most, regaining control from unelected platforms. This state action succeeds where federal inaction under prior administrations failed.
Social impacts empower families and boost child rescues, as seen in 126 saved last year. Politically, it strengthens Republican credentials on protecting traditional values. Economic costs fund task force growth, a worthy investment against exploitation. Indiana sets a model for states prioritizing citizens over globalist distractions like open borders and endless wars.
Sources:
Bohacek Files Bill to Update Indiana Age-of-Consent Law
Indiana General Assembly – HEA 1307
