Bill aims to gather more education information on foster children
The Indiana Department of Education has very little data on how the 30,000 children in foster care perform in school. New legislation aims to change that.
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Indiana gun-permit bill sees more scrutiny in wake of Florida shooting
Democrats objected to a proposal approved by an Indiana Senate committee Wednesday that would eliminate fees and make changes to the handgun licensing process.
House changes approach on software taxation legislation
Both chambers of the Indiana General Assembly and Gov. Eric Holcomb are back on the same page when it comes to advancing a bill this session regarding the taxation of cloud- or subscription-based software.
Indiana House vote puts Sunday alcohol sales near approval
Hoosiers could be able to buy carryout alcohol on Sundays within weeks, depending on how quickly final legislative action is taken.
Indiana House panel drops opt-in requirement for sex education
The new bill would require schools to make two attempts to notify parents of the sex education curriculum before the classes start, with a period of at least 45 days between the two attempts.
Indiana lawmakers weigh ‘opt-in’ requirement for sex education
The proposal would require parents to be notified—and give them the opportunity to review—any curriculum dealing with sexual activity, sexual orientation or gender identity.
Election board seeks investigation of Braun’s petition signatures
The election board in the home county of Democratic Sen. Joe Donnelly wants an investigation into whether Republican candidate Mike Brain filed bogus signatures to get on the primary ballot.
Bosma: Shifting corporate income tax dollars to workforce training looks unlikely
House Speaker Brian Bosma said Thursday that the idea in House Bill 1002—part of a larger proposed retooling of the state's workforce development system—hasn't garnered enough support.
Bill alleviates liquor-permit scramble in suburbs
A state Senate bill aims to provide additional alcohol permits to a handful of municipalities, and even a major mixed-use development in downtown Indianapolis.
Sunday alcohol sales bill could take effect sooner than expected
A House panel voted Wednesday to move up the effective date of a bill that would overturn the state's Prohibition-era ban on such sales.
Indiana Senate leader Long retiring from Legislature
Senate President Pro Tem David Long of Fort Wayne announced his decision Tuesday, saying that his resignation will take effect in November.
Indiana facing larger school funding gap than projected
The Indiana House and Senate have approved bills allowing an additional $25 million in school funding this year, but a new state legislative analysis predicts a shortfall of nearly $60 million next year.
Farmers train on using herbicide blamed for crop damage
Tens of thousands of soybean and cotton farmers across the country are taking free but mandatory training in how to properly use a weed killer blamed for drifting and damaging crops in neighboring fields.
New state senator sworn in to replace Hershman
Brian Buchanan took the oath Monday from Indiana Supreme Court Chief Justice Loretta Rush. Republican precinct committee members picked the former Boone County councilman to fill the vacancy left by former Senate majority leader Brandt Hershman.
Two Indiana initiatives aimed at fighting opioid epidemic
The state's Division of Mental Health and Addiction has added two dependency recovery initiatives—one virtual and one concrete.<
Checking in with the Indiana legislative session at halftime
Indiana lawmakers have reached halftime in this year's legislative session, which has been marked more by plans deferred and legislation killed than major changes.
Bosma: Major changes to state workforce system likely must wait
Pushing the discussion to next year is likely to frustrate advocates in the business community who believe lawmakers have toiled long enough on the workforce development system, making incremental changes year after year.
Indiana township merger bill fails without legislative vote
The plan would have required consolidation by townships with fewer than 1,200 residents.
Indiana Senate joins House in passing cannabis oil measure
The Indiana Legislature is poised to allow anyone to purchase and use a cannabis-derived extract believed to have therapeutic benefits, following a key vote by the state Senate on Monday.
House passes bill to overhaul high school diplomas
Currently four different diplomas are offered. The bill would require the state board of education to create the “Indiana Diploma” as the state’s new baseline.