Indiana Equality Action Legislative Update – January 12, 2010

The 2010 session of the Indiana General Assembly is off to a quick start. Overlying the entire legislative session is the State’s dismal budget situation – described by one pundit as “Dismal, dank, dreary and depressing - not a law firm, but budget, revenues, and spending for 2010 – 11.”

Working with key legislative friends and allies, Indiana Equality Action is focused this legislative session on medical decision making for unmarried couples, and ensuring hospital visitation rights.

Health care consent: Authored by State Representative Mary Ann Sullivan (Indianapolis), House Bill 1185 provides that an adult who shares an emotional, physical, and financial relationship with a patient similar to that of a spouse may consent to health care for an individual incapable of consenting if a health care representative has not been appointed. The legislation has been assigned to the House Public Policy Committee.

Hospital visitation rights for domestic partners: Senate Bill 192, proposed by State Senator Sue Errington (Muncie), would ensure the hospital visitation rights with a patient by an individual who is in a domestic partnership with that patient. This bill has been sent to the Senate Health and Provider Services Committee for further consideration.

Concurrently, Indiana Equality Action is monitoring a variety of proposal before the General Assembly, seeking opportunities to strengthen existing laws regarding school bullying, bias crimes reporting, and the advancement of other protections for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender Hoosiers.

Anti-LGBT proposals: Once more there are proposals before the State Legislature to enact a Marriage Discrimination Amendment -- House Joint Resolution 5, authored by State Representative Bill Davis (Portland) and Senate Joint Resolution 13, authored by State Senator Carlin Yoder (Middlebury). Both proposals state that “Only a marriage between one (1) man and one (1) woman shall be valid or recognized as a marriage in Indiana. A legal status identical or substantially similar to that of marriage for unmarried individuals shall not be valid or recognized.” HJR 5 has been assigned to House Rules and Legislative Procedures Committee, while SJR 13 has been sent to the Senate Judiciary Committee. It should be noted that similar proposals made in 2009 were assigned to the same committees, and that no committee hearings were conducted on the proposed amendments.

How You Can Help!

Health care consent – HB 1185:

· Thank State Representative Mary Ann Sullivan for proposing this important bill. Rep. Sullivan can be contacted at h97@in.gov.

· E-mail State Representative Trent Van Haaften (Chair, House Public Policy Committee) at h76@in.gov and urge him to conduct a hearing on HB 1185.

Hospital visitation rights for domestic partners – SB 192

· Thank State Senator Sue Errington for authoring this legislation by sending her an e-mail at s26@in.gov.

· Ask State Senator Patricia Miller (Chair, Senate Health and Provider Services Committee) to conduct a hearing on SB 192. Sen. Miller’s email is s32@in.gov.

Marriage Discrimination Amendment –HJR 5 and SJR 13

· Contact State Representative Phil GiaQuinta (Chair, House Rules and Legislative Procedures Committee) at h80@in.gov and ask that he not have a hearing on the Marriage Discrimination Amendment – HJR 5

· Contact State Senator Richard Bray (Chair, Senate Judiciary Committee) at s37@in.gov and ask that he not give a hearing to the Marriage Discrimination Amendment – SJR 13.

For information on the legislators who represent you, visit our legislator lookup page at http://eqfed.org/ie/leg-lookup/search.tcl?domain=ie. For details on legislation, visit the Indiana General Assembly website at www.in.gov/legislative

Other Ways to Help!

· Make a contribution to support IE Action's advocacy and lobbying efforts via our website at https://secure.ga4.org/01/iedonations. Or you may make checks payable to "Indiana Equality Action" and mail to PO Box 20621, Indianapolis, Indiana 46220. Contributions or gifts to Indiana Equality Action are not tax deductible for charitable purposes.

· Volunteer to help our initiative. Contact us by sending an e-mail to info@indianaequalityaction.org or send mail to the above postal address.

· Join the IE Action Center and assist with communications to our elected officials about supporting equal protection under the law for all lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender Hoosiers. (http://eqfed.org/ie/join.tcl) Go to the IE Action website to sign up to receive regular updates.

Important Legislative Contact Information

House Telephone Center: 317-232-9600
House Switchboard: 800-382-9842
Senate Telephone Center: 317-232-9400
Senate Switchboard: 800-382-9467
TDD (Local): 317-232-0404
TDD (Toll-Free): 800-548-9517