Indiana Senate Republicans released their plan for the special session, including a bill that would prohibit most abortions.
Senate Republicans detail special session bills to protect life, provide financial relief for Hoosiers
Indiana Senate Republicans announced details on legislation they are introducing in the upcoming special session to protect life, support pregnant and new mothers and their families, and pay down debt while providing financial relief for Hoosiers. Senate Bill 1 (ss) and Senate Bill 2 (ss) are described as “[working] together as a package to protect life and provide assistance to expectant and new mothers and their families.”
SB 1 would prohibit abortions, except to protect the life of the mother and in cases where a pregnancy is forced on a woman through the acts of rape and incest. SB 1 does not affect access to the morning-after pill or any other method of birth control, does not affect treatment of miscarriages, does not affect treatment of ectopic pregnancies, does not affect in-vitro fertilization procedures, does not prohibit ending a pregnancy when the unborn child would not be able to survive due to a fatal fetal anomaly, and does not criminalize women seeking an abortion. SB 1 does not create any new penalties for doctors who perform abortions – the existing penalty that allows a doctor to have his or her license revoked if he or she performs an illegal abortion will remain in place.
SB 2 would also allocate $45 million to the Hoosier Families First Fund, which would allow the State Budget Committee to distribute funds to the Indiana Department of Health, Indiana Family and Social Services Agency, Indiana Department of Child Services (DCS) and Indiana Department of Homeland Security for a variety of programs that can help support healthy pregnancies and families.
Eligible existing and new programs could address:
- Funding to support the health of pregnant mothers,
- Pregnancy planning, including addressing barriers to long-acting reversible contraception,
- Needs of low-income families with children under four years old,
- Increased access to child care,
- Support for foster and adoptive care,
- Programs to prevent children from entering the DCS system,
- Funding for Safe Haven baby boxes and more.
SB 2 also increases Indiana’s adoption tax credit tenfold from $1,000 to $10,000. The adoption tax credit is available to Hoosiers who incur expenses when adopting a child. This change would have an estimated fiscal impact of $5 million.
Representative Ellington promotes Indiana’s Education Scholarship Account
Indiana State Representative Jeff Ellington is encouraging families of students with disabilities to apply for Indiana’s new Education Scholarship Account Program to expand academic opportunities for their children. The program, established through legislation supported by Ellington, gives parents more tools to help meet their child’s academic needs.
“Indiana is a leading state for giving parents more choice in their children’s education,” Ellington said. “This new program empowers those who have students with special needs to find the best educational option that helps them succeed.”
Families can use these tax-free scholarships to pay for pre-approved education services like tutoring, therapy, and tuition. Ellington said participating families get 90% of their child’s state education funding, plus all special-education money through these education accounts. Funds do not count as income for families of recipients and have no impact on other financial aid they may receive. To be eligible for ESAs, students must have a disability requiring special education services and an individualized education plan, service plan, or choice special education plan; choose not to enroll in a public school or receive an Indiana Choice Scholarship; and, meet the annual income qualification, which is currently 300% of the qualification for free or reduced lunches. For a household of four, that’s $154,012.
This Week in Hoosier History
1946 – The Indiana Bell phone company ran newspaper ads urging customers to “please use long distance sparingly.” Local distance calls were at an all-time high. The company said there were just not enough facilities to take care of all calls properly. Although new switchboards were being added as quickly as possible, there were current shortages of the metals, textiles, rubber, and lumber that were required by the telephone equipment. Customers were advised to avoid calling long distance unless it was really necessary.
Follow us on Facebook
For more local news . . .
Check out our archived episodes of What’s Happenin’ and Talkin’ Sports with Nick Jenkinson here