INDIANAPOLIS — This legislative session has passed the halfway point and Indiana remains on the list of states considering bills that could restrict student activities and what they're taught in the classroom.
House Bill 1134 and 1041 are the bills that have now made their way to the Senate.
HB 1041 has a hearing scheduled for Wednesday and HB 1134 doesn't have a hearing scheduled yet.
HB 1041 bans transgender girls from participating in sports that match their gender identity.
HB 1134 takes aim at what's being taught in public schools, focusing on what some consider divisive topics, like racism in America and how it makes certain students feel.
Andrews Downs, director of the Mike Downs Center for Indiana Politics, said these bills are part of a national movement where special interest groups are building on the momentum to get their legislative agenda passed state-by-state. It's not a new phenomenon Downs said, but it happens faster than it used to because of how quickly information travels.
"Now, we're aware of things that are happening in other states in a real-time way. We're able to see legislators decide to introduce legislation in a real-time manner," he said.
Downs says this awareness allows certain groups to latch on to topics, building momentum for a cause, pushing it along state-by-state through legislators.
HB 1041, for example, is being supported by the Alliance Defending Freedom, classified as a hate group by the Southern Poverty Law Center for its anti-LGBTQ+ work.
Dozens of states have introduced legislation very similar to HB 1134 which is supported by conservative groups.
With rallies planned to oppose House Bill 1134 and 1041, Downs said you can make your voice heard in many ways if you or do not like what your legislator is doing.
You can write into them or make phone calls. He suggests you keep your messages as brief and to the point as possible.
Voting, he said, is one of the most impactful things you can do if you disagree with a politician.
"Our recourse is one that comes in November or May, depending on the primary situation you're in," Downs said. "That's when we have our chance to do something."
-
Shooting on Indy’s east side leaves 1 dead
A person died in a shooting on the east side of Indianapolis, near E. Washington St., on Monday evening.
Police search for driver in deadly hit-and-run on Indy's west side
An Indianapolis family is seeking justice after a 66-year-old man was killed in a hit-and-run on the west side of the city over the weekend.
Alamo Drafthouse Cinema opens on Indy’s northwest side
The theater is located at the former Georgetown Cinema, and patrons can have their food and drinks delivered to their seats by servers.
Scammers are preying on people searching for new jobs
Job hunting can be difficult enough as it is. But now scammers are looking to take advantage of those people hoping to land their dream job.
