Indiana lawmakers send final bills to Holcomb’s desk
Indiana’s legislative session descended into chaos in its final minutes as Republicans who dominate the Statehouse struggled to pass bills ahead of the midnight deadline Wednesday.
Gov. Eric Holcomb
Articles
Holcomb seeks $5 million to boost school security
Indiana’s governor has asked legislators to approve a $5 million boost for a state grant program aimed at helping improve school security.
Indiana shaking off outdated, male-only references in laws
A measure that would clean up archaic words and male-only references in Indiana’s laws has been approved by the Legislature and is on its way to Gov. Eric Holcomb’s desk.
Suspect says ‘no remorse’ in Indiana deputy’s shooting death
The man charged with fatally shooting a central Indiana sheriff’s deputy said he had “no remorse” Wednesday as he was led into a courthouse for his initial hearing.
Indiana lawmakers back limits on short-term rental rules
Legislation limiting regulation of short-term rentals by local governments was approved Tuesday by Indiana lawmakers and is on its way to Gov. Eric Holcomb’s desk.
Sunday carryout alcohol sales begin at Indiana stores
People streamed into grocery and liquor stores across Indiana on Sunday as they were able to buy carryout alcohol for the first time.
More concerns raised about Indiana’s child welfare agency
A state consultant says Indiana's child welfare agency is facing a shortage of mental health and substance abuse treatment services, as well as attorneys. The review continues as lawmakers continue to consider numerous DCS-related bills.
Indiana lawmakers approve bill banning eyeball tattooing
The Indiana Legislature has approved a bill to effectively ban the practice of eyeball tattooing. Under the Indiana proposal, tattooists would be prohibited from coloring the whites of an individual's eyes. The bill imposes a fine of up to $10,000 per violation.
Fixed-plea modification bill passes legislature
A bill meant to codify longstanding sentencing practices related to modification of plea agreements is headed to the governor after it passed the Indiana House of Representatives on Tuesday.
Holcomb signs historic Indiana Sunday alcohol sales bill
Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb made history Wednesday by signing a new law that will legalize the carryout sale of alcohol on Sundays.
Democrat’s call for interim study of DCS passes Senate committee
A resolution calling for a review of the Indiana Department of Child Services passed the Indiana Senate Committee on Family and Children Services Monday. The study committee would meet for the next two interim sessions starting this year.
Waiting on DCS report, legislature is not idle
Lawmakers have offered more than a dozen bills to address a growing children in need of services crisis, many of which have won broad support in the General Assembly.
Holcomb appoints 2 women to judgeships
In his first judicial appointments of 2018, Gov. Eric Holcomb has tapped two attorneys with prosecutorial experience to serve as superior court judges in Elkhart and Tippecanoe counties.
DCS consultant: Twice as many Hoosier kids out of home
A consultant hired by the state said Thursday Indiana has more than double the number of children in out-of-home care compared to the national average. The finding was among the highlights of an initial report commissioned by Gov. Eric Holcomb after the resignation of former Department of Child Services director Mary Beth Bonaventura.
Holcomb extends CBD oil order through legislative session
Gov. Eric Holcomb on Friday extended the moratorium on seizures of CBD oil from retailers’ shelves — as well Indiana State Excise Police’s education period on products derived from cannabis — while lawmakers consider bills regulating those products.
Child support network faces fear of collapse
Several times while talking about the statewide computer system that keeps track of child support money, John Owens rapped his knuckles on the nearest piece of wood. Indiana’s technology, dubbed ISETS, processes almost $1 billion in child support payments every year. However, the Department of Child Services says in a report that ISETS is “built on dying technology” from the 1980s. The concern is one day, it will crash for good.
Ex-DCS chief Bonaventura joins AG’s staff as special counsel
Former Indiana Department of Child Services Director Mary Beth Bonaventura will join the Indiana Attorney General’s Office as special counsel Monday, a move that comes less than a month after she resigned from her DCS post with a scathing resignation letter to Gov. Eric Holcomb.
Indiana governor pledges ‘transparent’ DCS review
Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb pledged in his State of the State address Tuesday night to conduct a “transparent” review of the Department of Child Services, but offered little more than platitudes about an agency that his critics say is enveloped in crisis. “I’ll state right now: There’s no one who cares more about Hoosier children than I do, and I’ll do whatever is necessary to ensure the success of our agency and its mission.”
Indiana eighth to offer state employees parental leave
Gov. Eric Holcomb last month signed an executive order establishing paid parental leave for state employees, effective Jan. 1. Labor and employment attorneys say many private organizations, including law firms, also are offering paid leave to new parents.
Problems persist as director quits DCS
The departure of Mary Beth Bonaventura as director of the Indiana Department of Child Services surprised several family law attorneys and social service providers. Uniformly, they agreed the former Lake County juvenile judge was a strong advocate for children and brought valuable experience to her tenure. Still, the department has struggled against internal and external challenges.