February 19th: Here’s what happened at the Statehouse this week
This was the seventh full week of the Indiana General Assembly’s 2021 session. Next week is the last week for the Indiana Senate to receive House bills and for the Indiana House to receive Senate bills. Below are updates on a section of the bills that W4C is following.
Statehouse updates
Below are updates on a selection of bills that W4C is following closely.
After a few amendments, the Indiana House voted to pass HB 1309, Pregnancy accommodations. This bill has since been referred to the Senate.
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 House voted to pass HB 1384, Civics education. This bill requires the state board of education to create a standardized civics education plan by 2022. The bill has bipartisan support and has since been referred to the Senate.
The House also voted to pass HB 1485, Voting matters. It also details the duties of poll watchers, as well as details other polling place regulations. The bill has since been referred to the Senate.
The Indiana House Committee on Courts and Criminal Code voted to pass and adopt HB 1200, Human trafficking. This bill would provide extra protections for victims of human trafficking that were under 18 years old at time of offence. The bill would also modify the definition of “protected person” to someone 14 years old or less. The Indiana House has heard a second reading of the bill, but it is likely to go through some changes before the final House vote.
The House Committee on Public Health voted to pass and adopt HB 1577, Telemedicine and abortion related services. This bill would allow mental health providers to not participate in abortion related practices or prodcedures based on ethical, moral, or religious belief. It also limits abortion-related telemedicine services. This bill has yet to be voted on by the House.
Why does Women4Change oppose HB 1577? We believe that mental health services should be accessible to all, regardless of a patient’s history with abortion. We also believe that telemedicine services should be accessible, especially in a pandemic.
New authors
Senators Ron Alting (R, District 82) and Phillip Boots (R, District 23) were named as the Senate sponsors of HB 1309, Pregnancy accommodations.
Senators Brian Buchanan (R, District 7), Jeff Raazt (R, District 27) and John Crane (R, District 24) were named as the Senate sponsors of HB 1384, Civics Education.
Representative Ethan Manning (R, District 23), was added as a cosponsor of HB 1485, Voting matters. Senators Greg Walker (R, District 41) and Jon Ford (R, District 48) were named the Senate sponsors.
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.
Bartholomew County
Delaware County
Elkhart County
LaPorte County
Monroe County
Every Friday in February, 8:30am (with Senator Shelli Yoder)
Owen County
Shelby County
St. Joseph County
Tippecanoe County
Other Indiana news
Hoosiers 65 and older are now eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. Click here to find out how to register!