Legislative Update - New This Week

Senate Bill 334 - Simplified application for SNAP benefits Requires FSSA to develop and implement simplified requirements by which an individual who: (1) is 60 years of age or older or a person with a disability; and (2) resides in a household every resident of which is 60 years of age or older or a person with a disability (eligible individual); may certify or recertify the individual's eligibility for supplemental nutrition assistance program (SNAP) benefits.

Senate Bill 480 - Gender Transition for Minors Prohibits a physician or other practitioner from (1) knowingly providing gender transition procedures to an individual who is less than 18 years of age (minor); and (2) aiding or abetting another physician or practitioner in the provision of gender transition procedures to a minor. This bill specifies certain medical exceptions and establishes civil enforcement actions.

This bill passed the Senate Public Health Committee. The bill now moves on to the full Senate for second reading, amendments, and vote. 

House Bill 1608 - Human Sexuality Instruction Provides that a school, an employee or staff member of a school, may not provide any instruction to a student in pre-K through grade 3 on human sexuality. Provides that a school employee or staff member is not prohibited from responding to a question from a student regarding specific topics. Provides that an employee or staff member of a school may only use a name, pronoun, or title to identify a student that is inconsistent with the student's sex if the student and the parent request in writing the use of a specific name, pronoun, title, or to identify the student.

This bill passed the Senate Education and Career Development Committee. The bill now moves on to the full Senate for second reading, amendments, and vote.  

House Bill 1568 - Prescription for Hormonal Contraceptives Allows pharmacists who meet certain requirements to prescribe and dispense hormonal contraceptive patches and self-administered hormonal contraceptives. Provides that a pharmacist is not required to prescribe a contraceptive to a woman if the pharmacist objects on ethical, moral, or religious grounds. This bill establishes penalties for a pharmacist who prescribes a drug that is intended to cause an abortion. Requires the office of the FSSA to reimburse a pharmacist for services and prescriptions for contraceptives provided to an eligible Medicaid recipient.

This bill was heard in the Senate Health and Provider Services Committee. Members will introduce amendments and vote next week on whether the bill shall move to the full Senate.

Senate Bill 321 - Student Health Matters Requires the State Department of Health to develop first aid guidelines and require the State Department of Health and Department of Education to publish the guidelines on their websites. Prohibits a school corporation from including in a student's high school transcript: (1) any information from the student's immunization and official transcript record that is kept by the student's school under existing Indiana code; or (2) any other health-related record concerning the student.

This bill passed the House Education Committee. The bill now moves to the full House for second reading, amendments and vote.

House Bill 1006 - Mental Health Programs Specifies the circumstances under which a person may be involuntarily committed to a facility for mental health services and specifies that these services are medically necessary. Establishes a local mental health referral program to provide mental health treatment for certain persons who have been arrested.

This bill passed the Senate Corrections and Criminal Law Committee. The bill now moves to the Senate Appropriations Committee where it has yet to be scheduled.

Senate Bill 443 - Various Education Matters Provides that a school psychologist may provide services on a private basis to an individual if the school psychologist receives a referral from the individual's parent and the individual is an unemancipated minor.

This bill passed the House Education Committee. The bill now moves to the full House for second reading, amendments and vote.

Senate Bill 4 - Public Health Commission Delineates core public health services and their delivery as recommended by the Governor's Public Health Commission, while also increasing state-level support for these local efforts.

This bill was heard in the House Public Health Committee. Members will introduce amendments and vote next week on whether the bill shall move to the full Senate.

House Bill 1091 - Continuous eligibility under Medicaid and CHIP Changes the requirements for submitting eligibility information for Medicaid or Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) enrollees less than 19 to no more than once annually.

This bill passed the Senate Health and Provider Services Committee. The bill now moves to the Senate Appropriations Committee where it has yet to be scheduled.

FSSA continues to make regular updates to their unwinding website. In the last two weeks, FSSA additions include

Video – created one minute video covering key unwinding messages (update contact information, reply to mail from the State) and information on Marketplace.

Meeting update - announced next stakeholder meeting on Tuesday, April 25^th at 11 am EST.

Website button – created downloadable website button with “check your coverage” messaging.

Last week the Affordable Care Act (ACA) celebrated 12 years and the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services celebrated key accomplishments including improving health equity by narrowing racial and ethnic disparities in coverage rates. Because of the ACA, millions have coverage through the health insurance Marketplace, protections even if they have pre-existing health conditions, and access to preventative and other essential health benefits as well as mental health services. Today 8% uninsured rate is the lowest in US history – 8%.

REGISTRATION IS NOW OPEN!

This year’s conference School Health: Connecting the Pieces gives you the opportunity to connect with individuals, organizations, schools, and communities with whom you work.

Visit great exhibits and get the latest news and updates from school health professionals. Network with your peers and win prizes! Dynamic speakers, subject matter experts, exhibitors and networking opportunities will provide you with valuable information, resources, and inspiration to move your initiatives forward.

Since 2008, the Indiana School Health Network has assembled key stakeholders and experts in school health for the annual School Health Conference.  Each year, professionals from a wide variety of disciplines attend the conference including but not limited to:

Do you know someone who is a strong advocate for student health or a healthy school environment? Someone who has made outstanding contributions to improving statewide processes and policies that benefit Indiana schools? Someone who promotes school wellness policies, school health behaviors and activities in Indiana? Would you like to see them recognized for their work?

Health by Design is seeking partner schools interested in implementing Safe Routes to School (SRTS) strategies in their community. SRTS is a national program to encourage students and families to use active modes of transportation to get to and from school. This usually means walking or biking, but it can be other forms of active transportation depending on the community. If interested, please contact Damon Richards, drichards@hbdin.org.

In honor of Black Maternal Health Week, join the Indiana Minority Health Coalition to learn more about oral health and pregnancy. Blessing Ibikunle-Salami, DDS-MPH Candidate will provide education on body changes during pregnancy, dental management and common dental problems found during pregnancy. The event is Wednesday, April 12th from 2:00 to 3:00pm EST/1:00 to 2:00pm CST