Senate Bill

SB 261

Criminal vandalism.

In plain English

Renames the crime of "criminal mischief" as "criminal vandalism." Moves the separate crimes for damaging institutions, cemeteries, railroads, and critical infrastructure facilities into the criminal vandalism law, keeping their original penalties and defenses, and makes other changes.

Written by AI from the official digest below, and checked only by automated rules. If they differ, the official digest and bill text control.

Official digest

Renames the crime of "criminal mischief" to "criminal vandalism". Repeals: (1) institutional criminal mischief; (2) cemetery mischief; (3) railroad mischief; and (4) critical infrastructure facility mischief; places them in the "criminal vandalism" statute, and preserves the original penalties and defenses. Repeals and places provisions involving damage to a cave in the criminal vandalism statute. Repeals and places provisions involving depositing refuse in a cave in the littering statute. Makes conforming amendments.

Latest action: Public Law 132, March 5, 2026Full text and history at iga.in.gov

Authors and sponsors

Mike Young, Aaron Freeman, Scott Baldwin, Garrett Bascom

Co-authors and co-sponsors: Rodney Pol, Andrew Ireland

Roll-call votes

2 recorded votes, oldest first. Third-reading votes decide whether a bill passes a chamber; amendment votes and procedural motions are listed too.

Senate · Jan 28, 2026

Third reading: vote to pass

Roll call text: SB 261 - Young M - 3rd Reading

Passed

47 yes1 no1 did not vote

Republicans: 38 yes, 0 no, 1 did not voteDemocrats: 9 yes, 1 no

How each member voted

House · Feb 24, 2026

Third reading: vote to pass

Roll call text: SB 261 - Bascom - 3rd Reading

Passed

97 yes0 no3 did not vote

Republicans: 66 yes, 0 no, 3 did not voteDemocrats: 30 yes, 0 noIndependents: 1 yes, 0 no

How each member voted

Yes (97)

Did not vote (3)

Source: Open States, compiled from the Indiana General Assembly's official roll calls. The official record at iga.in.gov controls. Spot an error? Let us know.