Senate Enrolled Act 142 (Public Law 128), Effective July 1, 2025, will make a significant difference for some and provide a path towards stable housing for those most in need. We’ve talked quite a bit about this bill, but today we want to illustrate through a few fictionalized accounts the positive impact that this bill can have on housing Hoosiers.
Meet Jennifer: A Second Chance at Housing
Jennifer is a single mother who faced an eviction filing in 2023 after losing her job during a company layoff. She quickly found new employment and paid off the judgment in full, but the eviction record has followed her everywhere. For two years, landlord after landlord rejected her applications, despite her now having a stable income and excellent references. The eviction record was a permanent mark against her.
Under Indiana’s new eviction sealing law, as outlined in Senate Enrolled Act 142 (Public Law 128), which took effect on July 1, 2025, Jennifer can now petition the court to seal her eviction record, provided she has satisfied her financial obligations. Once sealed, her eviction record will not be accessible to landlords during tenant screening processes, providing her and her family with better opportunities for safe and secure housing. The eviction no longer appears in background checks, giving her a fresh start.
Marcus: Automatic Relief
Marcus was taken to eviction court by his landlord in early 2025 due to a dispute over repairs in his rental unit. Marcus had withheld rent because the landlord failed to fix a broken furnace during winter, which was a violation of habitability standards. When the case went to court, the judge dismissed it entirely, ruling in Marcus’s favor.
Under the old law, Marcus would have had to hire an attorney or return to court himself to file a motion to seal the eviction case, something many tenants are unaware they can do. But under the new law, courts are now required to seal eviction records automatically when the case is dismissed, a judgment is entered in favor of the tenant, or a judgment against the tenant is overturned on appeal.
This represents a major shift from the previous system, where tenants had to petition the court for sealing. Marcus didn’t have to do anything; the court automatically sealed his case. When he applied for a new apartment six months later, the dismissed eviction didn’t appear on his record, and he was approved immediately.
The Law in Action:
Stories like Jennifer’s and Marcus’s are familiar in our state. As a result, starting July 1, 2025, Indiana’s Senate Enrolled Act 142 (Public Law 128) significantly improved the state’s eviction sealing law by requiring courts to seal eviction records when cases are dismissed automatically, judgments favor the tenant, or decisions are overturned on appeal, a significant shift from the previous system where tenants had to petition the court for sealing. The law also dictates that tenants who have satisfied their financial obligations can petition for the sealing of their eviction records.
These changes, through the enactment of this law, help Hoosiers achieve stable housing by reducing barriers created by eviction records.
Why This Matters
Notre Dame Law School students who work in the Law School’s Eviction clinic worked with State Senator Liz Brown to co-author a white paper in support of this law. Professor Pruitt, who leads the clinic, said that “there are thousands of Hoosiers who may be able to take advantage of this law every year and increase their ability to find safe and affordable housing.”
The law provides three pathways to sealing:
- Automatic sealing for dismissed cases and tenant victories (no action required).
- Petition-based sealing for tenants who paid off judgments.
- Time-based sealing after seven years for cases without money judgments.
For renters like Jennifer and Marcus, this law represents more than just a policy change; it’s a genuine second chance at stable, safe housing and the opportunity to move forward from past difficulties without permanent stigma.
