IC 8-1-19.5
    Chapter 19.5. Telephone 211 Dialing Code Services for AccessingHuman Services Information

IC 8-1-19.5-1
"211"
    Sec. 1. As used in this chapter, "211" means the abbreviateddialing code designated by the Federal Communications Commissionfor telephone service providing access to human services informationand referrals.
As added by P.L.60-2004, SEC.1.

IC 8-1-19.5-2
"211 service area"
    Sec. 2. As used in this chapter, "211 service area" means ageographic area in Indiana that is designated by the commission asan area within which a recognized 211 service provider is authorizedto provide 211 services.
As added by P.L.60-2004, SEC.1.

IC 8-1-19.5-3
"211 services"
    Sec. 3. As used in this chapter, "211 services" means informationand referral services provided through the use of 211 and intended topromote and provide access to human services.
As added by P.L.60-2004, SEC.1.

IC 8-1-19.5-4
"Account"
    Sec. 4. As used in this chapter, "account" refers to the 211services account established by section 11 of this chapter.
As added by P.L.60-2004, SEC.1.

IC 8-1-19.5-5
"Commission"
    Sec. 5. As used in this chapter, "commission" refers to the Indianautility regulatory commission created by IC 8-1-1-2.
As added by P.L.60-2004, SEC.1.

IC 8-1-19.5-6
"Human services"
    Sec. 6. As used in this chapter, "human services" means servicesprovided by government or nonprofit organizations to ensure thehealth and well-being of Indiana citizens. The term includes servicesdesigned to:
        (1) provide relief or assistance after a natural or nonnaturaldisaster; and
        (2) assist parents with stress issues.
As added by P.L.60-2004, SEC.1. Amended by P.L.94-2010, SEC.2.
IC 8-1-19.5-7
"Person"
    Sec. 7. As used in this chapter, "person" means an individual, afirm, a partnership, a corporation, or a limited liability company.
As added by P.L.60-2004, SEC.1.

IC 8-1-19.5-8
"Recognized 211 service provider"
    Sec. 8. As used in this chapter, "recognized 211 service provider"means an organization recognized by the commission as anappropriate administrator and authorized user of the 211 dialing codein a 211 service area.
As added by P.L.60-2004, SEC.1.

IC 8-1-19.5-9
State policy encouraging use of 211; human services agencies toconsult 211 service provider before establishing hotline;disseminating 211 information
    Sec. 9. (a) It is the policy of the state to encourage the orderly andefficient use of 211 to:
        (1) provide access to human services; and
        (2) collect needed information about human services and thedelivery of human services in Indiana.
    (b) A state agency or department that provides human servicesmay not establish a public telephone line or hotline to provideinformation or referrals unless the agency or department first:
        (1) consults with the recognized 211 service provider in the areato be served by the telephone line or hotline about using 211 toprovide access to the information or referrals; and
        (2) notifies the commission of the consultation described insubdivision (1).
    (c) A person may not disseminate information to the public aboutthe availability of 211 or 211 services in an area of Indiana except inaccordance with:
        (1) a rule adopted by the commission under IC 4-22-2; or
        (2) an order issued by the commission in a specific proceeding.
As added by P.L.60-2004, SEC.1.

IC 8-1-19.5-9.5
211 service providers and parental stress
    Sec. 9.5. A recognized 211 service provider shall provideassistance with parental stress issues if requested by a person calling211.
As added by P.L.94-2010, SEC.3.

IC 8-1-19.5-10
211 service provider's immunity from civil liability; exception forwillful or wanton misconduct
    Sec. 10. A recognized 211 service provider and its employees,directors, officers, and agents are not liable to any person in a civil

action for injuries or loss to persons or property as a result of an actor omission of the recognized 211 service provider, or its employees,directors, officers, or agents, in connection with:
        (1) developing, adopting, implementing, maintaining, oroperating a 211 system;
        (2) making 211 available for use by the public; or
        (3) providing 211 services;
except for injuries or loss resulting from the willful or wantonmisconduct of the 211 service provider or its employees, directors,officers, or agents.
As added by P.L.60-2004, SEC.1.

IC 8-1-19.5-11
211 services account; establishment; administration bycommission; annual plan for expenditures; permissibleexpenditures
    Sec. 11. (a) The 211 services account is established in the stategeneral fund to make 211 services available throughout Indiana. Theaccount shall be administered by the commission.
    (b) The account consists of the following:
        (1) Money appropriated to the account by the general assembly.
        (2) Funds received from the federal government for the supportof 211 services in Indiana.
        (3) Investment earnings, including interest, on money in theaccount.
        (4) Money from any other source, including gifts and grants.
    (c) Money in the account is continuously appropriated for thepurposes of this section.
    (d) The commission shall annually prepare a plan for theexpenditure of the money in the account. The plan must be reviewedby the state budget committee before the commission may makeexpenditures from the fund.
    (e) Money in the account may be spent for the followingpurposes:
        (1) The creation of a structure for a statewide 211 resourcesdata base that:
            (A) meets the Alliance for Information Referral Systemsstandards for information and referral systems data bases;and
            (B) is integrated with a local resources data base maintainedby a recognized 211 service provider.
        Permissible expenditures under this subdivision includeexpenditures for planning, training, accreditation, and systemevaluation.
        (2) The development and implementation of a statewide 211resources data base described in subdivision (1). Permissibleexpenditures under this subdivision include expenditures forplanning, training, accreditation, and system evaluation.
        (3) Collecting, organizing, and maintaining information fromstate agencies, departments, and programs that provide human

services, for access by a recognized 211 service provider.
        (4) Providing grants to a recognized 211 service provider forany of the following purposes:
            (A) The design, development, and implementation of 211services in a recognized 211 service provider's 211 servicearea. Funds provided under this subdivision may be used forplanning, public awareness, training, accreditation, andevaluation.
            (B) The provision of 211 services on an ongoing basis afterthe design, development, and implementation of 211 servicesin a recognized 211 service provider's 211 service area.
            (C) The provision of 211 services on a twenty-four (24) hourper day, seven (7) day per week basis.
    (f) The expenses of administering the account shall be paid frommoney in the account.
    (g) The treasurer of state shall invest the money in the account notcurrently needed to meet the obligations of the account in the samemanner as other public money may be invested.
    (h) Money that is in the account under subsection (b)(2) through(b)(4) at the end of a state fiscal year does not revert to the stategeneral fund.
As added by P.L.60-2004, SEC.1. Amended by P.L.2-2005, SEC.24.

IC 8-1-19.5-12
Annual report from commission to general assembly
    Sec. 12. (a) The commission shall, after June 30 and beforeNovember 1 of each year, report to the general assembly on thefollowing:
        (1) The total amount of money deposited in the account duringthe most recent state fiscal year.
        (2) The amount of funds, if any, received from the federalgovernment during the most recent state fiscal year for thesupport of 211 services in Indiana. The information providedunder this subdivision must include the amount of any matchingfunds, broken down by source, contributed by any source tosecure the federal funds.
        (3) The amount of money, if any, disbursed from the accountfor the following:
            (A) The creation of a structure for a statewide 211 resourcesdata base described in section 11(e)(1) of this chapter.
            (B) The development and implementation of a statewide 211resources data base described in section 11(e)(1) of thischapter.
            (C) Collecting, organizing, and maintaining informationfrom state agencies, departments, and programs that providehuman services, for access by a recognized 211 serviceprovider.
        The information provided under this subdivision must identifyany recognized 211 service provider or other organization thatreceived funds for the purposes set forth in this subdivision.        (4) The amount of money, if any, disbursed from the account asgrants to a recognized 211 service provider for any of thepurposes described in section 11(e)(4) of this chapter. Theinformation provided under this subdivision must identify therecognized 211 service provider that received the grant and theamount and purpose of the grant received.
        (5) The expenses incurred by the commission in complying withthis chapter during the most recent state fiscal year.
        (6) The projected budget required by the commission to complywith this chapter during the current state fiscal year.
    (b) The report required under this section must be in an electronicformat under IC 5-14-6.
As added by P.L.60-2004, SEC.1. Amended by P.L.2-2005, SEC.25.

IC 8-1-19.5-13
Authority to adopt rules
    Sec. 13. The commission may adopt rules under IC 4-22-2 toimplement this chapter.
As added by P.L.60-2004, SEC.1.