The governor signed a flurry of bills into law on Thursday, bringing the total number of bills to reach his desk to 93. Even as he finished, lawmakers finalized another handful of bills as they near the legislative deadline.
The proposed version of the budget doesn’t include any expansion of school vouchers, which House Speaker Todd Huston has personally pushed for, nor does it finalize funding for mental health and public health commitments.
Lawmakers finished the week Thursday by finalizing a move to limit the right to bail, extend a gas tax increase and make several key changes to a public health bill.
Legislation related to Kratom, picketing, birth control and speed limits appear to be among the casualties of this session, although some of the language could be revived in so-called “zombie bills.”
Discussion about a higher cigarette tax came as the House Ways and Means Committee, the powerful budget-drafters of the chamber, considered bills that address mental health and public health.
Support is clear for the 988 hotline, which is designed to operate similar to 911 but for mental health rather than public safety. However, the most important detail–how much funding the state will provide–has yet to be determined.
Two committees navigating thorny health care pricing bills at the Indiana Statehouse incorporated significant amendments Wednesday before moving the bills forward—with lawmakers expressing reservations about both measures.
A sweeping bill that would create a new mental health care system in Indiana drew tears and personal testimony Tuesday–from both the public and elected officials.
Many Hoosier homeowners have already received their latest property tax bill—or will in the coming days–and discovered the jump, which ranges from zero change in one county to more than 20% in four counties around the state.
State senators and health care stakeholders alike seemed unable to find much agreement Wednesday on how to address Indiana’s health care costs, or even how to measure and compare those costs to neighboring states.
Sixty-one percent of Hoosiers in extremely low-income households can’t find an affordable rental, instead spending more than half of their income on housing with little left for food or other necessities, according to a newly released analysis.
The Hoosier State continues to lag its peers when it comes to child wellbeing, ranking 28th overall—just one place ahead of its ranking last year. But it has made strides in reducing the number of foster children in the state.
Two of the bills–one establishing utility receiverships and another increasing the cap on pay that trustees on utility boards can earn–received no opposition, passing with a unanimous vote.
Most Americans are unprepared for long-term care as they age, relying heavily upon family caregivers to provide the support and assistance they need.
The proposed changes could have big impacts for lawmakers, as the bill’s language would change the formula used to calculate pay raises for many–from the governor down to each legislator.
A slew of health care bills moving through the legislature target high prices for Hoosiers by encouraging competition and restructuring how the state pays for services under Medicaid.
The bill would ban the use of puberty blockers, hormone replacement therapies and surgical procedures—but only if the minor is diagnosed with gender dysphoria.
Democrats denounced the budget for taking funding away from traditional public schools. Under the new proposal, families making up to 400% of the federal poverty level, roughly $220,000, qualify for vouchers.
Indiana’s emergency responders, especially volunteer firefighters, might be getting more funding for training and gear in the next state budget.
Pharmacy Benefit Managers, or PBMs, were the target of state senators Wednesday as they attempt to find solutions to decrease Indiana’s elevated health care costs.
