April 16th: Here’s what happened at the Statehouse this week
This was the fifteenth full week of the Indiana General Assembly’s 2021 session. The House and the Senate will adjourn next week. Below are updates on a section of the bills that Women4Change is following.
Indiana Statehouse Updates
Below are updates on a selection of bills that W4C is following closely.
House Bill 1200, Human trafficking, has been rejected by the House after undergoing Senate amendments. HB 1200 would create stronger protections for victims of human trafficking, especially for underage victims. The bill will undergo discussion by the two chambers, with Senators Michael Crider (R, District 28), Greg Taylor (D, District 33), Stacey Donato (R, District 18) and Karen Tallian (D, District 4) acting as Senate advisors and conferees and Representatives Wendy McNamara (R, District 76), Brad Barrett (R, District 56), Julie Olthoff (R, District 19), Sharon Negele (R, District 13) and Ragen Hatcher (D, District 3) acting as House advisors and conferees.
House Bill 1309, Pregnancy accommodations, has been signed by the Speaker. HB 1309 allows women to ask for pregnancy accommodations in the workplace.
Why does W4C oppose HB 1309? HB 1309 only allows for women to ask for pregnancy accommodations, which is already legal under federal law. We strongly believe that pregnancy accommodations should be required, not optional.
House Bill 1485, Voting matters, has been signed by the Speaker. HB 1485 outlines various voting and vote count policies and is likely to be made into law.
Senate Bill 10, a Statewide maternal mortality review committee, has been signed by the Speaker and the President pro Tempore. SB 10 allows mental health professionals to release patient records to the statewide maternal mortality review committee without the patient’s consent. SB 10 also outlines procedures for the investigation of maternal mortality cases, including whether or not the individual received an abortion or had a miscarriage. Read more about the bill here.
Senate Bill 79, Protection orders and domestic battery, has been signed by the Speaker and the President pro Tempore. SB 79 protects survivors of domestic violence, especially in school settings, and increases punishment for perpetrators. SB 79 was previously called “Domestic battery enhancement.”
Senate Bill 353, Absentee ballot applications, has been rejected by the Senate after undergoing House amendments. The bill will undergo discussion by the two chambers, with Senators Erin Houchin (R, District 47), J.D. Ford (D, District 29), Eric Koch (R, District 44) and Shelli Yoder (D, District 40) acting as Senate advisors and conferees and Representatives Timothy Wesco (R, District 21), Tonya Pfaff (D, District 43), Alan Morrison (R, District 42), Zach Payne (R, District 66), Sue Errington (D, District 34), Matt Pierce (D, District 61) and Cherrish Pryor (D, District 94) acting as House advisors and conferees.
What were the House amendments? The House Committee on Elections and Apportionment made changes to the bill which removed confusing, strict restrictions on absentee ballot applications and the Election Commission’s ability to allow for more voting opportunities. W4C supports the changes the bill has gone through as we believe that voting should be accessible and encouraged for all eligible voters. Read more about what voting restrictions SB 353 included here.
New Authors (Who are my state legislators?)
Senator Dennis Kruse (R, District 14) has been added as a co-author of Senate Bill 353, Absentee ballot applications.
Other Indiana news
Indiana state budget passes Senate - The Statehouse File
Indiana lawmaker’s override governor’s veto on emergency powers measure - WISH-TV
Hoosiers 16 and older are now eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. Click here to find out how to register!