Sec. 1. (a) As used in this section, "person" includes:

(1) an individual engaged in a trade or business; and

(2) a business entity or association described in IC 23.

(b) The office of technology established by IC 4-13.1-2-1 and the secretary of state shall establish policies and procedures for providing electronic and enhanced access under this chapter to create and maintain uniform policies and procedures for electronic and enhanced access by the public.

(c) The secretary of state, in collaboration with other state agencies, including the department of workforce development and the department of state revenue, shall develop and maintain an Internet web site through which a person is able to submit information simultaneously to the secretary of state and other state agencies about the person's formation, existence, or other trade, business, business entity, or association activities for the purpose of complying with the requirements of state law, including requirements concerning:

(1) pre-establishment;

(2) establishment;

(3) registration;

(4) reinstatement;

(5) licenses or permits;

(6) filings or reports; and

(7) transacting payments or refunds.

The secretary of state shall assign to each business entity registered through the Internet web site a unique business identification number. The secretary of state, the department of state revenue, the department of workforce development, and other state agencies sharing information on the Internet web site relating to a business entity shall use the business entity's unique business identification number.

(d) If the secretary of state requests assistance from a state agency in the development and maintenance of the Internet web site described in subsection (c), the state agency, including the department of workforce development and the department of state revenue, shall furnish the requested assistance. The assistance shall be provided at no cost to the secretary of state.

(e) The secretary of state shall annually, on or before November 1, report to the legislative council about the progress of the Internet web site described in subsection (c). The report must be made:

(1) in an electronic format submitted in accordance with IC 5-14-6; and

(2) in person, if requested by the legislative council.

As added by P.L.260-1997(ss), SEC.38. Amended by P.L.177-2005, SEC.3; P.L.114-2011, SEC.1; P.L.146-2014, SEC.1.