
Indiana abortion bans to begin September 15th
Governor Holcomb signed into law bans on abortion in the state of Indiana to go into effect on September 15, 2022. Here is a copy of the official Bill Digest:
Abortion. Terminates the licensure of abortion clinics. Specifies that the abortion statutes do not apply to in vitro fertilization. Makes changes to when an abortion may be performed, including when: (1) the abortion is necessary to prevent any serious health risk of the pregnant woman or to save the pregnant woman’s life; (2) the fetus is diagnosed with a lethal fetal anomaly; or (3) the pregnancy is a result of rape or incest. Specifies time frames and conditions that must be met in order for the abortion to be performed. Provides that the statute requiring consent of a parent or legal guardian for a minor’s abortion does not apply to a minor who is pregnant as a result of rape or incest by a parent, legal guardian, or custodian of the unemancipated minor. Requires the revocation of a physician’s license for specified violations. Provides a defense for a pregnant mother charged with a criminal offense for terminating or seeking the termination of her pregnancy. Specifies that a person who terminates the pregnancy of a pregnant woman upon her request may only be charged with certain crimes. Exempts from the crime of feticide: (1) the pregnant mother; (2) a person who provides medical treatment in good faith to a pregnant woman that results in the accidental or unintentional termination of the pregnancy; and (3) a physician who performs a medical procedure to terminate the pregnancy upon request of the pregnant woman. Requires the maternal mortality review committee to study how changes in the state’s abortion laws affect maternal mortality in Indiana and extends the committee until June 30, 2027. Voids certain administrative rules concerning abortion clinics. Establishes the prosecutorial oversight task force and specifies duties of the task force. Makes conforming amendments.
Bloomington proposes plan to purchase Monroe County Convention Center
The City of Bloomington, following the lead of The Greater Bloomington Chamber of Commerce, Visit Bloomington, and Downtown Bloomington, Inc., has submitted a proposal to the Monroe County Board of Commissioners and County Council for activating the Convention Center expansion.
Deputy Mayor Don Griffin will join Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Eric Spoonmore at the Monroe County Council meeting on Tuesday, August 9 at 5:30 p.m. to formally present the City’s proposal and answer councilmember questions.
As part of its proposal, the City would take full responsibility for the expansion in exchange for the County transferring ownership and management of the Convention Center and supporting properties.
Under this proposal, the City of Bloomington would:
- Pay off the County’s existing debt on the Convention Center, estimated at ~$2.M.
- Contribute to the Monroe County Health Department the opioid settlement funds received by the City, estimated to be ~$1.9M over the next 18 years, to support them in a more consolidated effort to address opioid addiction and recovery in Monroe County.
- Initiate a multi-year pilot program to expand Bloomington Transit beyond City limits along the east-west corridor to provide improved access to Ivy Tech and nearby employers. The City would charge only the incremental cost of the additional services.
- Assume responsibility for all operation and management of the existing and new/expanded Convention Center.
Under this proposal, the County would:
- Transfer to the City all real and personal property owned by the County or Building Corporation comprising the current Convention Center and property designated for potential future Convention Center use.
- Support the annual transfer to the City or its designated property management entity the share of annual innkeepers’ tax received by the County currently used in maintaining and operating the Convention Center.
- Retain its share of Food & Beverage Tax generated outside city limits for the County’s own appropriate purposes.
Obituary for Honorable Marc Reed Kellams
Marc Reed Kellams, 73, died Friday, July 29, 2022, in a car accident outside of Indianapolis, Indiana.
Born May 4, 1949 in Bloomington, Marc was a lifelong resident prior to moving to Bargersville in 2020 to be close to family. He is a United Sates Navy Veteran and graduated from Indiana University with a religious studies degree. At age 31, Marc was appointed to Circuit Court Judge in Monroe County and retired in 2018 after 38 years on the bench. This year would have been his 43rd year teaching the trial and advocacy class at the Indiana University Maurer Law School. Marc became an ordained Deacon in June 2008 through the Archdiocese of Indianapolis. He worked for 12 years as a Deacon at St. Charles Borromeo Church in Bloomington followed by Ss. Francis and Clare of Assisi in Greenwood, IN. After retirement from the bench, he took on the role of Coordinator of Prison Ministries for the Archdiocese of Indianapolis. In 2013 Marc was appointed to the board of JLAP, Judges, Lawyers, Assistance Program through the Indiana State Bar Association and Indiana Supreme Court, which serves as an organization that volunteers to help judges, attorneys and law students struggling with mental health problems, addiction, and depression. In addition to these roles, he also spent time working as a Senior Judge, filling in for other judges when needed. Marc was proud to serve as a Board Chair on the Saint Meinrad Seminary and School of Theology Board of Overseers. He is past President of the Indiana Judges Association and has long served on the Judicial Ethics Committee of the Indiana Judicial Conference. Marc led a review of the American Bar Association’s Code of Judicial Conduct and has chaired the Boards of the Monroe County Youth Services Bureau, the Monroe County American Red Cross, the Monroe County Community Corrections Advisory Council, Bloomington Rotary Club and its foundation, Bloomington Hospital Foundation’s Development Council, Bloomington Hospital’s Advisory Council and Bloomington Hospital’s Board of Directors as well as The Surgery Center.
Marc loved life and those around him. He was an influential person in so many people’s lives, mixing faith and law throughout his career as a Judge and Deacon. He was the rock to his family, a wonderful husband, father, papaw (to five grandsons), mentor and friend. He was loved and respected by so many. A man known for his gigantic bear hugs, gentle spirit, work ethic, and devotion to his faith. He dedicated himself to the community, visiting and comforting the elderly, helping the sick and dying as well as performing countless baptisms and marriage ceremonies. He will be missed terribly. As a strong man of faith, we know he is looking down on all of us telling everyone it’s not goodbye but rather it’s until we meet again.
Marc is survived by his loving wife of 53 years, Christina (Fox) Kellams, daughter Sarah (Kellams) Lippman and son-in-law Adam Lippman, their sons Mason Rhys Lippman and Maxwell Hudson Lippman, of Montclair, NJ, daughter Katherine (Kellams) Reed, son-in-law Ryan Reed, and their six children: Bradford Reed Dollens, Christian Theodore Dollens, Schuyler (Sky) Grant Dollens, Mattilyn Grace Reed, Alliyson Renae Reed, William Blake Reed, of Bloomington, IN. He was preceded in death by his daughter Amy Alison Kellams, his parents, Armal and Frances Kellams, and in-laws Philip and Clarabell Fox.
We acknowledge with deepest gratitude the over-whelming outpouring of love, support and prayers provided during this challenging time. We kindly and respectively request that in lieu of sending flowers please consider one of the following worth while causes to support in Marc’s honor:
Judges, Lawyers, Assistance Program JLAP at www.courts.in.gov/ijlap
Saint Meinrad at www.stmeinrad.org
St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church at www.stcharlesbloomington.org
Ss. Francis & Clare of Assisi Catholic Church at www.ss-fc.org
A Mass Of Christian Burial will be held Friday, August 12, 2022 at 2:00PM at the St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church 2222 East Third Street, Bloomington, Indiana 47401. Visitation will also be held at St. Charles from 11:00AM until the time of the Mass at 2:00PM.
Allen Funeral Home and Crematory 4155 South Old State Road 37 is handling the arrangements and online condolences, photos and memories may be shared with family and friends at www.allencares.com
This Week in Hoosier History

1899 – Marshall “Major” Taylor of Indianapolis won the one-mile world championship in bicycling in Montreal. He was one of the first African American world athletes, setting numerous records in bicycle racing. The open-air velodrome in Indianapolis is named for him.
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