Legislation to create new feticide charges, regulate short-term rentals, and increase dyslexia training and testing are all headed to the governor's desk.
Here's what you might have missed this week at the Statehouse as lawmakers near the end of the 2018 session.
Get comprehensive coverage of the 2018 session here.
Holcomb Requests $5 Million More For School Safety Funding
Gov. Eric Holcomb wants lawmakers to deliver an additional $5 million this year for schools to spend on safety upgrades.
Indiana currently spends $10 million a year for school safety grants, which fund security improvements and school resource officers.
Senate President Pro Tem David Long (R-Fort Wayne) says lawmakers are prepared to deliver that money and help fund an audit by the Department of Education of all school safety plans.
New Murder Charge For Feticide
The Senate sent legislation to the governor this week to allow prosecutors to seek a murder charge against someone who attacks a woman and causes the death of her fetus.
Current law allows such charges if the fetus is viable. The legislation eliminates the need for viability.
That change in law has some anti-abortion groups cheering. They argue the measure gives legal standing to unborn fetuses that hasn't existed before, which could be used to better defend anti-abortion laws.
Bill Passed To Standardize Overdose Reporting
The bill standardizes the way coroners report drug deaths. In the case of a suspected overdose, coroners are required to extract and test bodily fluids for controlled substances, and report results to the Indiana State Department of Health.
Overall, the U.S. underreported opioid-related deaths by more than 20 percent in 2014, according to a recent study in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine. Some states were vastly undercounting: In Indiana, the report estimates that there were more than twice as many opioid-related deaths than the state counted.
The bill also opens up some funding to pay for toxicology screens, which can be expensive. The measure is awaiting Gov. Holcomb's signature.
Holcomb Signs Bill To Reduce Infant Mortality, Standardize Care
Gov. Eric Holcomb signed a bill into law Thursday standardizing perinatal care in the state to lower Indiana's infant mortality rate.
The new law creates a system to help expecting mothers identify the facility that can best deliver the level of care that they need.
Holcomb: I feel like we're about to win a Superbowl. pic.twitter.com/dFOs6izP6I
- Lauren Chapman (@laurenechapman_) March 8, 2018
The bill was one of the governor's legislative priorities this year. It goes into effect July 1.
Local Governments Can Regulate, But Not Ban, Short-Term Rentals
House-approved legislation blocks local governments from banning short-term rentals such as Airbnb.
But they can require permits for them, with a one-time fee of up to $150. The measure also allows local units to revoke those licenses after repeated complaints.
Increased Testing, Awareness For Dyslexia
Also going to the governor this week: a bill requiring each Indiana school district to hire a reading specialist trained to identify and teach students with dyslexia.
The legislation also ensures schools will screen children kindergarten through second grade for risk factors tied to the learning disability.
Lawmakers Argue Over Labeling, Testing For CBD
Read More: bills signed into law
The Senate this session put certain labeling and testing requirements into CBD legislation. That includes a provision to require all manufacturers to submit their CBD oil to an independent lab for inspection.
Rep. Tom Washburne (R-Inglefield) says his chamber wants to minimize such requirements. But Sen. Mike Young (R-Indianapolis) says the requirements aren't burdensome.
Both chambers will have to vote on the bill once more this session for it to pass.
Bill Passed To Mandate Sexual Harassment Training For Lawmakers
The measure mandates an hour of harassment training each year. Such training is already required for legislative staff.
The four legislative caucus leaders – all of whom are men – will develop the sexual harassment program. Senate President Pro Tem David Long (R-Fort Wayne) says the bill adds four other lawmakers to the committee that works on the issue.
The unanimously-approved bill also requires lawmakers to develop a procedure for investigating sexual harassment claims made against legislators.
The bill now goes back to the House.
