Adoption records, gun licensing reform bills to be heard this week
Hoosier adoptees will make a new push for access to their birth records, beginning with a hearing in the Senate Judiciary Committee Wednesday.
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Senate bill would protect sexual orientation, punt on gender identity
A Republican state senator’s answer to the debate over gay rights and religious freedom would protect gay, lesbian and bisexual Hoosiers from employment, housing and public accommodations discrimination but would exclude transgender people and punt the debate on their issues until next year.
Indiana BMV fees overhaul proposed after overcharging woes
Indiana's Bureau of Motor Vehicles would see its fee structure simplified under a bill presented Wednesday to legislators following an audit last year that found the agency had overcharged motorists more than $60 million since 2013.
New bid planned to end Indiana’s Sunday alcohol sales ban
A new attempt could be coming to end Indiana's eight decades-old ban on Sunday carryout alcohol sales.
Bill proposes increasing med-mal cap by $400,000
The maximum award for medical malpractice would increase by $400,000 under legislation proposed after a study committee last year examined Indiana’s caps. Caps on damages were last raised 17 years ago and have been increased just twice in 40 years.
Bill eases law on alcohol offenders obtaining gun permits
Indiana lawmakers will consider a plan to lift state restrictions on alcohol offenders obtaining handgun licenses.
Lawmakers offer alternative to cold medicine sales crackdown
Republican Sens. Randy Head of Logansport and Jim Merritt of Indianapolis said pharmacists should have the authority to approve or disapprove sales for medicines containing pseudoephedrine, which is a decongestant used to treat colds and allergies. A rival measure backed by Indiana prosecutors and GOP House Speaker Brian Bosma would require a prescription for such medicines.
DNA collection bill filed in Legislature
Once again, the Indiana General Assembly is being asked to expand law enforcement’s ability to collect DNA.
Indiana’s high court takes up lawmaker email case
The Indiana Supreme Court will hear an appeal involving a lawsuit seeking a lawmaker's emails and other correspondence with utility company officials over solar power legislation he sponsored.
Legislation protects county assessments on big-box stores
A new measure on the taxation of big-box stores is expected to help Indiana counties avoid fiscal disaster, but national retailers aren’t happy about it.
Lawmakers pass Marion Co. small claims reforms
The General Assembly Wednesday afternoon passed modest reforms of the nine township small claims courts in Marion County, a far cry from recommendations of multiple judicial studies to restructure the courts.
Pence objection blocks adoptees’ birth-record access, advocates say
Gov. Mike Pence’s objections to a bill that would open the birth records for hundreds of thousands of adult Hoosiers thwarted chances it will pass the General Assembly this session, according to proponents who said they have been informed the bill will receive no further hearings in the House of Representatives.
Humane Society blasts ‘shameful’ canned hunting bill
The Humane Society of the United States is opposing a bill in the Legislature that would allow canned hunting of deer, elk and other mammals inside fenced enclosures, saying it would sanction and expand a “shameful industry.”
Law professors warn against Indiana religious freedom bill
A bill that proponents say would further protect religious freedom in Indiana “will more likely create confusion, conflict, and a wave of litigation” because it will confer a special status to religious rights, according to a letter signed by 30 law professors.
Debate on common wage repeal lingers during contractor event
A Republican-backed proposal to repeal the state law that sets wages for public construction projects requires further study instead of a quick vote, opponents of the measure said Monday.
Zoeller asks justices to uphold ‘Spice’ law COA struck down
Indiana’s ‘Spice’ law that a pair of divided Court of Appeals panels ruled unconstitutional last month should be reinstated, Attorney General Greg Zoeller argues in briefs asking the Indiana Supreme Court to review the decisions.
Senate to take up repeal of state construction wage law
The leader of the Indiana Senate says it will take up a Republican-led push to repeal the state law that sets wages for public construction projects.
Senate defeats proposed farming constitutional amendment
The Indiana Senate has defeated a proposal that would have added "right to farm" protections to the state's constitution.
GOP-led Senate advances bill protecting religious objections
A proposal that supporters say would allow people with strong religious beliefs to not provide services for same-sex weddings has been approved by the Indiana Senate.
Legislator: Sunday alcohol bill ‘did not have the votes’
Indiana will keep the distinction of being the last state with a "blue law" banning Sunday carry-out alcohol sales after the sponsor of a bill that would have lifted the ban said Tuesday the measure is dead.