The Indiana General Assembly is back in session for 2015. Here are some of the laws that senators and representatives have proposed that could impact Ball State students.
For a complete list of all of the bills proposed this year, visit iga.in.gov.
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| Education |
| Senate Bill 109 - Education support |
Senate Bill 259 - STEM program |
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What it says: Child support for education will not be required after the child turns 19. |
What it says: I-STEM Resource Network and the state would establish a STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) associates degree program at five universities within the state. |
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Why it matters: Students receiving money from child support to help with education might not be eligible to collect it after turning 19. |
Why it matters: High school students would have the option to get an associate's degree in a STEM-related field at one of five universities before they graduate. The host universities have yet to be chosen. |
| Senate Bill 304 - Dyslexia |
Senate Bill 434 - In-state tuition |
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What it says: Requires teachers to be proficient in identifying student with dyslexia and other learning disabilities before receiving a teaching license. |
What it says: Nonresidents, Indiana National Guard members and state educational institution students may qualify for in-state tuition for undergraduate and graduate course. |
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Why it matters: One in five individuals has dyslexia, according to the Dyslexia Institute of Indiana. Teachers with the ability to identify the disability would ensure students get the proper assistance. |
Why it matters: Out of state college tuition would be reduced to the in-state price if a student qualifies. |
| House Bill 1114 - Student debt |
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What it says: Certain jobs in Indiana will make students eligible for $2,500 per year to help with student loan debt. |
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Why it matters: Getting certain jobs within the state after graduation may make graduates eligible for help with student loans. |
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| Crime |
| Senate Bill 36 - Bicycle safety |
Senate Bill 136 - Death penalty |
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What it says: It will be a Class C infraction for a person driving a vehicle passing a bicycle without giving at least three feet of clearance. |
What it says: The bill would abolish the death penalty in Indiana. |
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Why it matters: Even without bike lanes, bike riders will get additional safety from the bill. |
Why it matters: People who are currently awaiting the penalty would be given a life sentence in prison instead. |
| Senate Bill 223 - Rape penalty |
Senate Bill 454 - Police cameras |
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What it says: The minimum penalty for rape would be increased from a Level 3 to a Level 2 felony. |
What it says: It urges legislators to assign a study committee to handle public records request for police body camera video. |
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Why it matters: The punishment for people convicted of rape will be more severe Level 2 felonies, which carry a minimum jail sentence of 10 years. Level 3 felonies carry a minimum sentence of 3 years. |
Why it matters: With the recent concerns about police accountability, some law enforcement agencies, including Muncie Police are adopting body cameras. The study committee will help increase access to the footage captured on the cameras. |
| House Bill 1011 - Seatbelt laws |
House Bill 1033 - Cell phones |
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What it says: It would eliminate laws that place accountability of passenger seatbelts on drivers. |
What it says: People must use a hands-free device to use a cell phone while driving, unless it is part of a 911 call. |
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Why it matters: Drivers of vehicles would not be accountable for their passengers not wearing a seatbelt in a traffic stop. |
Why it matters: Any use of a cell phone that requires hands is illegal, not just texting. |
| House Bill 1091 - Rape reporting |
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What it says: Increases the statute of limitations to ten years. |
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Why it matters: Victims of rape are able to report the crime up to 10 years after the occurrence instead of the current 5-year limit. |
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| Diversity |
| Senate Bill 44 - Unfair wages |
Senate Bill 127 - Employment preferences |
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What it says: It would be illegal to pay wages that discriminate on race or gender for the same or equivalent job. |
What it says: Religious corporations, education institutions or groups are not prohibited from giving preference to employees or requiring them to conform to religious tenets. |
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Why it matters: The Indiana Civil Rights Commission now has jurisdiction to investigate any potential case of wage discrimination. |
Why it matters: Owners of religious businesses and organizations may discriminate when hiring employees and can make employees adopt religious practices. |
| Senate Bill 180 - Biased crime |
Senate Bill 243- Racial profiling |
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What it says: It will require law enforcement to receive training on responding to discriminatory crimes. They will also have to report information about crimes and offenses that are committed with bias. |
What it says: Prohibits law enforcement from racially profiling and tasks agencies to set policies against profiling. |
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Why it matters: Police will be required to know how to handle and report on hate crimes and other offenses that are motivated by discrimination. |
Why it matters: Law enforcement agencies will have to report all of the complaints they received from racial profiling and the action they took. |
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| Other |
| Senate Bill 45 - Government transparency |
Senate Bill 160 - Minimum wage |
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What it says: Redefines the definition of “meeting” to include email. |
What it says: The state minimum hourly wage would be increased from $7.25 to $8.50 after June 30, 2015 and then to $10.10 after June 30, 2016. |
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Why it matters: Email between public officials will be subject to the open door law, which would increase transparency of communication between government bodies for the public. |
Why it matters: Most part-time jobs that college students work pay minimum wage. The increase would affect most students who work those types of jobs. |
| House Bill 1025 - Driver's licenses |
House Bill 1026 - Sunday alcohol sales |
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What it says: The Bureau of Motor Vehicles may determine driving privileges of an Indiana resident who cannot get permissions in a different state. |
What it says: People who have alcoholic beverage permits would be able to sell products on Sunday. |
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Why it matters: If someone is licensed to drive in Indiana with a specific permit, they may be eligible for the same privileges in another state if cleared by the BMV. |
Why it matters: Selling alcohol on Sunday is currently prohibited in Indiana. Efforts to legalize Sunday sales have failed in the past because of liquor store lobbying against them. |
| House Bill 1048 - Insurance |
House Bill 1064 - Sewage fees |
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What it says: Insurance companies are prohibited from using credit information when considering clients. |
What it says: Sewer fees are payable to the people occupying a residence. |
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Why it matters: Students applying for insurance would not have to worry about bad credit affecting insurance rates. |
Why it matters: Currently, sewage bills are sent to landlords of property. With the legislation, bills will be sent to tenants directly. |
