2/3/2023 Session Update

By: Anna White

It’s Friday again, and we have a few updates from the statehouse this week. First, SB 252, which concerns LARCs and Medicaid, passed its Committee hearing on February 2nd! We are thankful for all our Action Advocates who wrote to our representatives and encouraged them to hold a hearing. 

Next, we’ve added two bills to our blog this week: HB 1595 and HB 1593, which look to limit abortion access in Indiana further. So far, they’ve been referred to committees but haven’t had a hearing. We’ll keep an eye on them and let you know when it’s time to write in and let our legislators know that we won’t stand for further restrictions on reproductive rights. You can find more information about both of those bills below.  

That’s a wrap for this week’s updates. We’ll see you next week!

Women’s Health

  • SB 153: Allows pharmacists to prescribe and dispense oral and patch hormonal contraceptives. Requires healthcare plans to provide coverage for contraceptives and certain services. Grants exemption for nonprofit religious employers. 

    • Status: First reading: referred Committee on Health and Provider Services on 01/09

  • SB 252: Allows for LARCS to be transferred between Medicaid recipients. The aim of this bill is to eliminate medical waste for LARCs that were prescribed for one patient but never actually used (IUDs and arm implants). Missouri, which has less Medicaid recipients than Indiana, has saved $1.8 million from a similar bill. 

    • Status: First reading: referred Committee on Health and Provider Services on 01/11; was adopted and passed by Health Provider Services Committee on 02/02

  • SB 311: Reestablishes the licensure of abortion clinics, changes statutes regarding when abortions may be performed; removes eight-week limitation for abortion-inducing drug

    • Status: First reading: referred Committee on Health and Provider Services on 01/12

  • HB 1568: Allows pharmacists to prescribe and dispense oral and patch hormonal contraceptives. Provides that pharmacists who oppose contraceptives on moral or religious grounds are exempt from prescribing them.

    • Status: First Reading: referred to Committee on Health and Provider Services on 01/19

  • HB 1593: Prohibition of certain abortion funding. Provides that neither the state nor a political subdivision can a) make a payment for any fund for costs that are associated with procuring an abortion, b) allow the use of funds or facilities controlled by a hospital or ambulatory surgical center for performing or procuring abortion, and c) make a payment or grant from any other fund that performs abortions, makes referrals to obtain abortions, or funds costs associated with performing or procuring an abortion.

    • Status: First Reading: Referred to Committee on Public Health on 01/19

  • HB 1595: Feticide. Removes all language stating that feticide statute does not apply to the mother. Removes language concerning certain situations in which abortion is allowed. Repeals a defense to a crime involving the death or injury to a fetus. 

    • Status: First Reading: referred to Committee on Public Health on 01/19

Sexual Harassment, Assault, & Consent

  • HB 1066: Provides that if schools provide education on human sexuality or sexually transmitted infections, the school must provide comprehensive sexual education, using appropriate instructors. 

    • Status: First Reading: referred to Committee on Education on 01/09 

  • HB 1364: Elements of Rape: Provides that a person commits rape if the other person submits to sexual intercourse or other sexual conduct under the belief that the person committing the act is someone the victim knows, other than the person committing the act, and the belief is intentionally induced by artifice, pretense, or concealment. 

    • Status: First Reading: referred to Committee on Courts and Criminal Code on 01/17

Economic Stability

  • SB 259: Provides a sales tax exemption for feminine hygiene products

    • Status: First Reading: Referred to Committee on Tax and Fiscal Policy on 01/11

  • HB 1137: Provides that it is unlawful practice to: (a) discriminate pay based on sex; (b) discipline or interfere with any employee or other person who inquired about, disclosed, or discussed the employee’s wages; (c) require wage nondisclosure as a condition for employment, or (d) require an employee to sign a waiver or other document denying them the right to disclose wage information. 

    • Status: First Reading: referred to committee on Employment, Labor, and Pensions on 01/10

Voter Access

  • HB 1131: Redistricting Commission: Establishes a redistricting commission to create, hold hearings on, receive public comment on, and recommend plans to re-draw general assembly districts and congressional districts. Provides appointment of 4 commission members by legislative leadership. 

    • Status: First Reading: referred to Committee on Elections and Apportionment

W4C