Ind. Code § 32-31-12-1 Application
Sec. 1. This chapter applies only to the removal of a squatter.
As added by P.L.191-2025, SEC.1.
Ind. Code ch. 32-31-12
Ind. Code ch. 32-31-12
in effectInd. Code § 32-31-12-2 "Squatter"
Sec. 2. As used in this chapter, "squatter" means an individual who:
(1) occupies the property of another person;
(2) does not have a rental agreement, permission of the property owner, or any other property interest authorizing the individual to occupy the other person's property; and
(3) has never had a rental agreement, permission of the property owner, or any other property interest that authorized the individual to occupy the other person's property.
The term does not include a person whose rental agreement has expired or who may have violated the rental agreement, or a person who is an invitee on the real property.
As added by P.L.191-2025, SEC.1.
Ind. Code § 32-31-12-3 Affidavit
Sec. 3. (a) A property owner who discovers that a squatter is occupying the owner's property may execute an affidavit stating that the squatter:
(1) is occupying the owner's property;
(2) does not have a rental agreement, permission of the owner, or any other property interest authorizing the individual to occupy the owner's property; and
(3) has never had a rental agreement, permission of the owner, or any other property interest that authorized the individual to occupy the other owner's property.
(b) An affidavit executed under this section must state that a person who makes a false statement on the affidavit is subject to the penalties of perjury.
(c) A law enforcement agency may create a form affidavit that contains all the information required under this section.
As added by P.L.191-2025, SEC.1.
Ind. Code § 32-31-12-4 Removal of a squatter by law enforcement
Sec. 4. (a) A property owner may provide a law enforcement agency with a copy of the affidavit described in section 3 of this chapter.
(b) Except as provided in subsection (c), not later than forty-eight (48) hours after receipt of the affidavit, the law enforcement agency shall dispatch one (1) or more law enforcement officers to remove the squatter from the owner's property.
(c) A law enforcement agency may dispatch one (1) or more law enforcement officers to remove a squatter later than forty-eight (48) hours after receipt of the affidavit for reasons of public safety. However, the law enforcement agency shall dispatch one (1) or more law enforcement officers to remove the squatter as soon as practicable.
(d) Nothing in this section shall prohibit:
(1) a property owner from executing an affidavit described in section 3 of this chapter; and
(2) a law enforcement officer from removing a squatter upon receipt of an executed affidavit under section 3 of this chapter;
at the time a law enforcement officer is responding to a complaint that a squatter is occupying the owner's property.
As added by P.L.191-2025, SEC.1.
Ind. Code § 32-31-12-5 Credible evidence that an individual is not a squatter
Sec. 5. (a) Except as provided in subsection (b), a law enforcement officer dispatched to remove a squatter shall remove the squatter from the property unless the law enforcement officer discovers credible evidence that the individual is not a squatter because the individual:
(1) has a rental agreement, permission of the property owner, or any other property interest permitting the individual to occupy the property; or
(2) formerly had a rental agreement, permission of the property owner, or any other property interest that allowed the individual to occupy the property.
(b) A law enforcement officer dispatched to remove a squatter shall remove the squatter from the property unless the law enforcement officer discovers credible evidence that the individual is an invitee of:
(1) the property owner; or
(2) a person who has or formerly had a rental agreement or permission of the property owner to occupy the property.
A law enforcement officer dispatched to remove a squatter from a railroad or a railroad car may rely upon a statement from an individual working on the railroad or in the railroad car that the individual alleged to be the squatter does not have a lawful reason to be on the railroad or in the railroad car as credible evidence to remove the squatter under this subsection.
(c) In addition to removing the squatter from the property, a law enforcement officer may arrest the squatter if the law enforcement officer has probable cause to believe that the squatter has committed an offense.
As added by P.L.191-2025, SEC.1.
Ind. Code § 32-31-12-6 Other legal remedies
Sec. 6. The provisions for the removal of a squatter under this chapter are in addition to and supplement any other legal remedies available to the property owner, including filing an action for possession or emergency possession under this article.
As added by P.L.191-2025, SEC.1.
Ind. Code § 32-31-12-7 Law enforcement immunity
Sec. 7. A law enforcement agency or law enforcement officer is immune from civil liability for acting within the scope of the law enforcement agency's or law enforcement officer's duties to enforce a requirement of this chapter.
As added by P.L.191-2025, SEC.1.
Ind. Code § 32-31-12-8 Wrongful removal from property; civil cause of action
Sec. 8. (a) For purposes of this section, a person is wrongfully removed from property under this chapter if the affiant knowingly makes a materially false statement on an affidavit described in section 3 of this chapter.
(b) A person wrongfully removed from property under this chapter may bring a civil cause of action against the affiant.
As added by P.L.191-2025, SEC.1.
Source: Open US Law by Vaquill AI (CC BY 4.0)URL: https://iga.in.gov/laws/2026/ic/titles/32Fetched: 10/17/2026