February 5th: Here’s what happened at the Statehouse this week

This was the fifth full week of the Indiana General Assembly’s 2021 session. This week also marks the start of Black History Month. 

Statehouse updates

Below are updates on a selection of bills that W4C is following closely. 

  • The Indiana House Courts and Criminal Code Committee voted to pass and adopt HB 1176, Elements of rape. This is a step closer to HB 1176 appearing in front of the House for a vote. 

    • Why is W4C following HB 1176? HB 1176 would criminalize sexual assault in cases where the perpetrator knowingly decieves the survivor about his/her identity. In that particular scenario, the survivor does not even have the opportunity to consent or not. This bill would make assault of this kind illegal in Indiana, even if the assault did not occur by force. The bill has bipartisan support. 

  • The Indiana House Committee on Elections and Apportionment voted to pass and adopt HB 1479, Early Voting. Two amendments to the bill have since failed to pass the House, but the House has yet to vote on the bill itself. 

    • Why is W4C following HB 1479? HB 1479 advocates for more opportunities to vote early, which would help to increase voter access and turnout. 

  • The Indiana Senate voted to pass SB 81, Training for investigators of sexual assault cases. The bill had bipartisan support and has since been referred to the House.

  • The Indiana Senate voted to pass SB 79, Domestic battery enhancement. The bill had bipartisan support and has since been referred to the House.  

  • The Indiana House Committee on Elections and Apportionment voted to pass and adopt HB 1365, Various election matters. Several amendments have since failed to pass the House, but the House has yet to vote on the bill itself. 

New authors

  • Senators Ron Alting (R, District 22) and Scott Baldwin (R, District 20) were added as coauthors of SB 81, Training for investigators of sexual assault cases. Representative Julie Olthoff (R, District 19) was added as a House sponsor. 

  • Senator Michael Young (R, District 35) was added as a second author of SB 79, Domestic battery enhancement. Senators Jack Sandlin (R, District 36), Greg Taylor (D, District 33), and Mike Bohacek (R, District 8) were added as coauthors. Representative Wendy McNamara (R, District 76) was added as a House sponsor. 

  • Senator J.D. Ford (D, District 29) was added as a coauthor of SB 103, Redistricting standards. 

  • Representative Ethan Manning (R, District 23) was added as a coauthor of HB 1365, Various election matters. 

  • Senator Jon Ford (R, District 28), was removed as a second author of SB 246, Pregnancy and childbirth accommodation. 

Indiana Third House Meetings 

What are Third House Meetings? Indiana Third House Meetings allow constituents to discuss pending legislation with members of the Indiana General Assembly. Below are links to the February Third House Meetings, sorted by county. 

Other Indiana news: 

Two Indiana legislators are fighting to end conversion therapy for LGBT minors - The Statehouse File 

Bills expanding Safe Haven law make their way to the Senate - The Statehouse File

Hoosiers 65 and older are now eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. Click here to find out how to register! 

Click here for our 2021 bill tracker!

W4C