Current Legislative Updates
Legal Issues
BILL: SB 16 – Learner’s Permits and Graduated Licenses
AUTHORS: Sen. Travis Holdman, R-Markle; Sen. Tom Wyss, R-Fort Wayne; and Sen. Karen Tallian, D-Portage
ISMA POSITION: Support
THIS WEEK: Received testimony March 25 in the House Roads and Transportation Committee. No vote was taken, but several amendments were distributed for discussion at the next hearing.
Several amendments were added to this bill in the Senate, including one changing the entrance age for the classroom portion of driver education instruction from 15 to 15 ½ years of age. Amendments also removed language requiring probationary drivers to display indicators for the first 180 days, signifying they are newly licensed drivers, and added language specifying that an individual who holds a probationary license may not operate a motor vehicle while using a telecommunications device — unless that device is being used to make a 911 emergency call.
BILL: SB 341 – Wrongful Death or Injury of a Child
AUTHORS: Sen. Vaneta Becker, R-Evansville, and Sen. Brent Steele, R-Bedford
ISMA POSITION: Oppose
THIS WEEK: Bill withdrawn on second reading but still eligible for consideration.
This bill specifies that the law concerning wrongful death or injury of a child: (1) does not apply to a legally performed abortion; and (2) applies to a fetus that has attained viability.
It also provides that the law concerning wrongful death or injury of a child does not affect or supersede any other right, remedy or defense provided by any other law.
Insurance
BILL: HB 1300 – Health Provider Patient Limit Study
AUTHOR: Rep. Peggy Welch, D-Bloomington
ISMA POSITION: Support
THIS WEEK: Passed out of Senate Health and Provider Services Committee 9-0 with the additional provision that the commissioner of the Indiana Department of Insurance shall provide the Health Finance Commission with actuarial information on requiring reimbursement paid directly to out-of-network providers.
HB 1300 requires the Health Finance Commission to study health plan provider contract provisions that would require a contracted provider to accept more than a certain number of patients. The bill also requires the Health Finance Commission to report its findings and recommendations to the legislative council before Nov. 1, 2009.
Tobacco
BILL: HB 1213 – Statewide Smoke-Free Air
AUTHOR: Rep. Charlie Brown, D-Gary
ISMA POSITION: Support
THIS WEEK: The ISMA learned that the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Public Policy and Interstate Cooperation, Sen. Ron Alting, R-Lafayette, is willing to amend the bill back to a comprehensive version. However, Sen. Alting is unsure whether enough support exists in the committee to pass a comprehensive version. The ISMA is meeting with members of the committee urging them to hear the bill and support comprehensive language.
The ISMA supports legislation that would create a comprehensive, statewide smoke-free workplace law. Originally, HB 1213 would have prohibited smoking in any workplace throughout the state – including restaurants, bars and casinos.
BILL: SB 16 – Learner’s Permits and Graduated Licenses
AUTHORS: Sen. Travis Holdman, R-Markle; Sen. Tom Wyss, R-Fort Wayne; and Sen. Karen Tallian, D-Portage
ISMA POSITION: Support
THIS WEEK: Received testimony March 25 in the House Roads and Transportation Committee. No vote was taken, but several amendments were distributed for discussion at the next hearing.
Several amendments were added to this bill in the Senate, including one changing the entrance age for the classroom portion of driver education instruction from 15 to 15 ½ years of age. Amendments also removed language requiring probationary drivers to display indicators for the first 180 days, signifying they are newly licensed drivers, and added language specifying that an individual who holds a probationary license may not operate a motor vehicle while using a telecommunications device — unless that device is being used to make a 911 emergency call.
BILL: SB 341 – Wrongful Death or Injury of a Child
AUTHORS: Sen. Vaneta Becker, R-Evansville, and Sen. Brent Steele, R-Bedford
ISMA POSITION: Oppose
THIS WEEK: Bill withdrawn on second reading but still eligible for consideration.
This bill specifies that the law concerning wrongful death or injury of a child: (1) does not apply to a legally performed abortion; and (2) applies to a fetus that has attained viability.
It also provides that the law concerning wrongful death or injury of a child does not affect or supersede any other right, remedy or defense provided by any other law.
Insurance
BILL: HB 1300 – Health Provider Patient Limit Study
AUTHOR: Rep. Peggy Welch, D-Bloomington
ISMA POSITION: Support
THIS WEEK: Passed out of Senate Health and Provider Services Committee 9-0 with the additional provision that the commissioner of the Indiana Department of Insurance shall provide the Health Finance Commission with actuarial information on requiring reimbursement paid directly to out-of-network providers.
HB 1300 requires the Health Finance Commission to study health plan provider contract provisions that would require a contracted provider to accept more than a certain number of patients. The bill also requires the Health Finance Commission to report its findings and recommendations to the legislative council before Nov. 1, 2009.
Tobacco
BILL: HB 1213 – Statewide Smoke-Free Air
AUTHOR: Rep. Charlie Brown, D-Gary
ISMA POSITION: Support
THIS WEEK: The ISMA learned that the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Public Policy and Interstate Cooperation, Sen. Ron Alting, R-Lafayette, is willing to amend the bill back to a comprehensive version. However, Sen. Alting is unsure whether enough support exists in the committee to pass a comprehensive version. The ISMA is meeting with members of the committee urging them to hear the bill and support comprehensive language.
The ISMA supports legislation that would create a comprehensive, statewide smoke-free workplace law. Originally, HB 1213 would have prohibited smoking in any workplace throughout the state – including restaurants, bars and casinos.
Labels: ISMA, legislative
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