February 1, 2024
Medicaid policy bill misses deadline. Democrats say House avoided discussion about amendments
A bill that would update Medicaid policy was not called down for a second reading Thursday ahead of the deadline.
Read MoreFebruary 1, 2024
Lawmakers want to fund research into – but not legalize – compound found in psychedelic mushroom
Researchers have been looking at using psilocybin - a chemical compound found in some psychedelic mushrooms - as a treatment for mental health issues, substance use disorders and chronic pain. A Senate committee passed a bill Thursday that would make it easier for that research to take place in Indiana.
Read MoreFebruary 1, 2024
Grant program could help communities create, expand mobile crisis response programs
More communities could have access to financial support to build mobile crisis response units or teams under a proposed pilot program. A Senate committee passed a bill that would establish a grant program to create or expand programs connecting people in crisis to resources in the community.
Read MoreFebruary 1, 2024
House Speaker Huston says Lucas shouldn't have flashed holstered gun at students
House Speaker Todd Huston (R-Fishers) said Rep. Jim Lucas (R-Seymour) should never have flashed his holstered handgun during a conversation with students at the Statehouse.
Read MoreFebruary 1, 2024
Indiana House narrowly passes scaled-back bill to limit some school referendums to fall elections
The Indiana House narrowly approved a bill Thursday that will limit when some school tax referendums can be presented to voters.
Read MoreJanuary 31, 2024
Senate passes bill to restrict cell phone use in class, now heads to House
A bill that restricts the use of cellphones by students in classrooms unanimously passed the Senate Tuesday and will now head to the House. The bill requires school districts and charter schools to develop rules around the use of wireless communication devices.
Read MoreJanuary 31, 2024
Wetland experts say they weren't consulted on state bill reducing protections
HB 1383 would lower the number of wetlands that could fall into Class 3, the only class that didn't lose significant protections when the state changed its wetlands law in 2021.
Read MoreJanuary 31, 2024
Senate committee fails to advance bill to allow better housing code enforcement in Marion County
A bill to close a loophole that prevents Marion County from enforcing code violations against some landlords failed to pass a Senate committee Wednesday.
Read MoreJanuary 31, 2024
Pregnant people charged with drug crimes could get treatment earlier under new bill
Lawmakers want to get pregnant people who have been charged with drug crimes into treatment earlier. The House passed a bill that would allow pregnant people charged with a drug crime to be referred to a forensic diversion program or drug court during their initial hearing.
Read MoreJanuary 31, 2024
Advocates say fentanyl test strips save lives. New bill could decriminalize them
A common harm reduction tool used to test for the presence of fentanyl in controlled substances is considered paraphernalia under Indiana law but a new bill could change that. The House passed a bill Tuesday that would decriminalize fentanyl test strips.
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