Indiana bill would allow firing squads for executions

The corrections department could carry out an execution by lethal injection, firing squad, or nitrogen gas, as its commissioner decides. This applies to people sentenced to death in Indiana. The department would set up a facility and procedures for firing squads and nitrogen gas. A firing squad would have three people chosen by a prison warden, and each would fire live ammunition. An execution would have to be at least 100 days after conviction. The proposal listed July 1, 2026, as its start date.

The corrections commissioner could not require covered workers to take part in or attend an execution as a job or contract requirement. It covers Department of Correction employees and people who provide services under contract. Taking part or attending must conflict with the worker’s moral or religious beliefs. Taking part includes preparing the person or equipment and supervising other workers. The proposed protection was set to start July 1, 2026.

The department would keep execution team members’ identities confidential. The rule covers team members and people listed as eligible to serve on an execution team. Identifying information could not be demanded through legal evidence requests or used as evidence in civil or criminal cases. The proposed rule was set to start July 1, 2026.