March 6, 2009
Priority bills reach halfway point
The Indiana General Assembly reached the halfway point on Feb. 25, which was the last day for House and Senate bills to pass their respective chambers. Bills passed by one house will “crossover” to the other and go through the process again beginning with the decision by the committee chair to give the bill a hearing.
- Immigration Reform SB 580 Passes Senate 37-13, Headed to House. What it does: Creates harsher penalties for employers who hire undocumented workers. The Church opposes this legislation because the bill would negatively impact immigrant families and children.
- Charitable Gaming HB 1286 Passes House 89-8, Headed to Senate. What it does: Allows parishioners to participate in parish festivals when they are not working a charitable game or raffle. Current law prohibited participation in festival activities if person was working the festival. Church supports this legislation.
- Family and Social Services Administration (FSSA) modernization 1691 Passed House 75-25, 1195 Passed House 53-45, Headed to Senate. What it does: The bills correct several modernization problems and improve access for poor, and unemployed to receive benefits. Church supports this legislation.
- School Choice 528 Passed Senate 35-15, Headed to House. What it does: Expands school choice for lower income families by providing scholarship tax credits. Church supports this legislation.
- Abortion matters, Informed consent SB 90 Passed Senate 39-11, Headed to House Public Policy Committee. What it does: Enhances informed consent for abortion by defining when life begins and fetal pain. The Church supports this legislation.
- Admitting physician privileges SB 89, Passed 44-6, Headed to House Public Policy Committee. What it does: Provides better access to follow-up care after an abortion and holds physicians more accountable for the abortions they perform. Church supports this legislation.