February 12th: Here’s what happened at the Statehouse this week

This was the sixth full week of the Indiana General Assembly’s 2021 session. 

Statehouse updates

Below are updates on a selection of bills that W4C is following closely. 

  • The Indiana House of Representatives voted to pass HB 1176, Elements of rape. 

    • Why does W4C support HB 1176? HB 1176 would criminalize sexual assault in cases where the perpetrator knowingly decieves the survivor about their identity. In that particular scenario, the survivor does not have the opportunity to consent or not. This bill would make assault of this kind illegal in Indiana, even if the assault did not occur by force. The bill had bipartisan support and W4C hopes to see support in the Senate as well. 

  • The Indiana House of Representatives voted to pass HB 1365, Various election matters. The bill proposes a series of vote center and vote count regulations intended to protect against voter fraud and election interference. It has since been referred to the Senate. 

  • The House also voted to pass HB 1479, Early voting. The bill allows more time to cast early ballots. It has bipartisan support and has since been referred to the Senate. 

  • The Indiana House Committee on Employment, Labor, and Pensions voted to pass and adopt HB 1309, Pregnancy accommodations. This bill has yet to be heard on the House floor. 

    • Why does W4C oppose HB 1309? This bill does not match the pregnancy accommodation bills that other Midwest states have passed. HB 1309 only allows for women to ask for pregnancy accommodations, which is already legal. For the sake of maternal health, pregnancy accommodations should be required, not optional. HB 1309 also contradicts existing federal laws, such as the Pregnancy Discrimination Act. We worry that HB 1309 would confuse Indiana employers, leading them to believe that they would be exempt from liability under federal law. 

  • The Indiana Senate voted to pass SB 6, State house monument to suffragettes. The bill has bipartisan support and has since been referred to the House. 

  • The Senate has passed three amendments to SB 10, Statewide maternal mortality review committee. The bill’s final version has yet to be voted on by the Senate. 

New authors

  • Senators Jon Ford (R, District 28) and Greg Walker (R, District 41) were named as the Senate sponsors of HB 1365, Various election matters. 

  • Senators Jon Ford (R, District 28) and Greg Walker (R, District 41) were named as the Senate sponsors of HB 1479, Early voting. 

  • Senator Vaneta Becker (R, District 50) was added as a third author of SB 6, State house monument to suffragettes. Senators Fady Qaddoura (D, District 30), David Niezgodski (D, District 10), Karen Tallian (D, District 4), Linda Rogers (R, District 11), Ron Alting (R, District 82), Phillip Boots (R, District 23), Jon Ford (R, District 28), Chris Garten (R, District 45), and Ronald Grooms (R, District 36) were added as coauthors. Representative Sharon Negele (R, District 13) was named the House sponsor, with Representative Cherrish Pryor (D, District 94) named as a cosponsor. 

Upcoming Legislative Dates 

  • Last day for House committee hearings - Tuesday, February 16th 

  • Last day for Senate committee hearings - Thursday, February 18th

  • Last day for third readings of House bills in the House - Monday, February 22nd 

  • Last day for the Senate to receive House bills - Tuesday, February 23rd 

  • Last day for third readings of Senate bills in the Senate - Tuesday, February 23rd 

Indiana Third House Meetings 

What are Third House Meetings? Indiana Third House Meetings allow constituents to discuss pending legislation with members of the Indiana General Assembly. Below are links to the remaining February Third House Meetings, sorted by county. 

Other Indiana news

House bill requires middle schools to start teaching civics - The Statehouse File 

Hoosiers 65 and older are now eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. Click here to find out how to register! 

Click here for our 2021 bill tracker! 

W4C