The Indiana General Assembly is in the midst of a special session, set to conclude August 14th. While legislators are working to address a number of issues, Senate Bill 1 regarding abortion access and regulations on providers, pregnant people, and families have dominated the headlines. Indiana legislative leadership has prioritized Senate Bill 1, which passed on July 30th by a vote of 26-20, and restricts reproductive care available to Hoosiers. On Friday, the Indiana Senate voted to send Senate Bills 2 and 3 to the House of Representatives. On the inflation front, House Bill 1001, proposing a $225 automatic refund for taxpayers, was sent to the Senate Committee on Tax and Fiscal Policy.
To learn more about each bill and how you can use your voice as an Indiana health care stakeholder to influence the debate, see below.
Major Pieces of Legislation in the Indiana General Assembly Special Session
Senate Bill 1
- Creates a statewide ban on abortion at 0 weeks post fertilization, except in the cases of rape, incest, and substantial permanent impairment of the life of the mother.
- Limits timeframes a rape survivor can get an abortion:
- for pregnant patients 15 years or younger, if less than 12 weeks post fertilization
- for pregnant patients 16 years or older, if less than 8 weeks post fertilization
- Requires a pregnant patient to provide a notarized affidavit to their physician, attesting to rape or incest.
- Adds criminal penalties to a patient who receives an abortion for perjury, and to health care professionals for performing illegal abortions.
- Grants the Indiana Attorney General the ability to prosecute violators if county prosecutors refuse to bring charges forward.
- Referred to the House Courts and Criminal Code Committee
Senate Bill 2
- This is a wraparound services bill that appropriates $45 million to the proposed Hoosier Families First Fund and $5 million for adoption tax credits.
- Funds to be distributed to the State Department of Health, Family and Social Services Agency, Department of Child Services, and Department of Homeland Security.
- Referred to the House Ways and Means Committee
Senate Bill 3
- To address inflation, this bill would put a cap on gas sales tax and utilities through June 30, 2023.
- Appropriates $400 million from the state’s surplus funds to be allocated to the pension stabilization fund.
- Referred to the House Ways and Means Committee
- Committee Chair: Rep. Timothy Brown (R – Crawfordsville)
House Bill 1001
- Provides an automatic $225 refund to eligible taxpayers for the 2021 taxable year.
- Adds additional support to women, children, and families by giving $58.5 million to Medicaid, Child Care and Development Fund voucher program, and a grant program to reduce infant mortality.
- Eliminates 7% state sales tax on diapers.
- Increases the adoption tax credit in the Indiana tax code.
- Referred to Senate Tax and Fiscal Policy Committee
You can also reach out to your representatives by phone or email to let them know how these bills will impact your employees, their health care, and your business.