INDIANAPOLIS — As state lawmakers enter the second half of this year's legislative session, some controversial bills are among dozens moving forward. Some, however, did not make it to the second half of this year's session.
Here's an overview look into both categories.
MORE | Trial for man accused of killing Southport officer Aaron Allan begins with body camera footage
The following bills have advanced to the session's second half:
- House Bill 1041, a ban on transgender girls playing girls sports in grades 12 and below
MORE | Bill banning transgender girls from playing school sports moves forward in Indiana| Indiana is one step closer to banning transgender girls from playing high school sports | ACLU says proposed Indiana bill would ban transgender students from school sports
- House Bill 1134, a ban on teachers using material that causes students "psychological distress," which could mean potentially anything but is targeted at lessons dealing with racism and gender identity
MORE | School bills would make teachers 'guard every single word' in classroom, union leader says | Controversial House education bill passes, heads to Senate |'A racist bill': Teachers, civil rights leaders push back against school bill
- Senate Bill 17, which makes it easier for parents to get so-called pornographic books out of school and public libraries, but which in other states has been used to target books aimed at helping LGBTQ youth.
MORE | Critics say Indiana library bill could violate First Amendment
Others were killed for now, including the following:
Senate Bill 320, which would have given people who rent their homes more power to get their landlords to make repairs to their properties, was killed shortly after a tenant's rights rally at the Statehouse.
House Bill 1053, a bill that would have let cities restrict the personal use of fireworks to the eight days surrounding the Fourth of July, is also a dud.
A proposal to make school board candidates run under a political party banner was also stopped in its tracks.
MORE | Market Street downtown to be closed through mid-March
Some lawmakers claimed voters deserved to know whether a board member is a Republican, Democrat, Libertarian, Green, Constitutionalist, party for Socialism and Liberationist or a Prohibitionist.
The races will remain non-partisan for now.
Additionally, none of 13 marijuana-related bills advanced out of committee, meaning Hoosiers will have to wait at least another year for marijuana to be legalized, decriminalized or permitted for medical use.
Before the session began, Democrats said they expected marijuana to be a “hallmark issue” for the 2022 state and midterm elections if the matter was not settled at the Statehouse.
Recreational marijuana is legal in 18 states, including Illinois and Michigan, plus Washington, D.C., and it is legal for medicinal use in Ohio.
-
25 people arrested so far in Johnson County drug bust
Twenty-five people have been arrested so far on Wednesday during a major drug bust operation in Johnson County.
Crossing the finish line: Preparing for the 15th annual Carmel Marathon
Jennifer Joyce runs despite Parkinson’s, while Stephanie Thomas trains with her daughter by her side, both racing for more than a finish line.
Local artist beautifying neighborhoods with murals
You can find Megan Jefferson's murals in almost every Indianapolis neighborhood on people’s garages, homes, and fences.
Noblesville Boom: Indiana Pacers' G League Team Gets Rebrand
Wednesday morning, the Indiana Pacers' G League affiliate unveiled their new name and logo. Formerly known as the Indiana Mad Ants, the team will now be called the Noblesville Boom.
