The halfway point in the Indiana General Assembly's legislative session garnered a flurry of activity as the House of Representatives rushed to pass the bills that will be sent to the Senate for consideration. While our pace has slowed somewhat compared to the deadline rush, there is still much important work to be done as we carefully review the implications of the bills the Senate has passed on to us. Throughout this session, I will seek to be a voice in the Statehouse for those who cannot - or are too afraid to - speak up for themselves. I have sponsored several bills, among them Senate Bill 345 addressing the heart-wrenching topic of domestic violence. Domestic violence is a serious problem that deserves serious prevention tactics from the state. SB 345 reorganizes the current government organizations dedicated to helping victims, making Indiana's approach to fighting this crime more efficient, more focused and more sensitive to the physical and emotional needs of those who have survived domestic violence. SB 345 establishes a domestic violence prevention and treatment council consisting of 12 persons with different, valuable perspectives on ending the abuse. The council members' positions are all specified in the bill. Among the descriptions are a survivor of domestic violence, a provider of services to children who are victims of abuse and a member recommended by the Latino Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Violence. In the spirit of providing the best for vulnerable Hoosiers, I have also sponsored a concurrent resolution from the Senate which establishes a study on funding early childhood education. This study comes on the heels of statistics showing that more than one-third of kindergarteners nationwide are not considered ready for school when they start classes. Their readiness level is based on the presence of behavioral development and social emotional skills, as well as cognitive and language skills. These skills are things parents usually teach their children, if the child is at home. But if the child is in childcare, the facility must be sure it is addressing these crucial social and intellectual skills. In Indiana, many children are enrolled in childcare programs. Statistics show more than 330,300 children under the age of 6 are in need of childcare, either because both parents work or because the children come from single-parent homes. Senate Concurrent Resolution 10 aims to improve the way we fund early childhood education programs to strengthen the development of Indiana's youngest citizens. Also addressing the topic of making Indiana's childcare better is another bill I sponsored, Senate Bill 203. This bill is simple, but its goal and its possible effects could change a young person's life. SB 203 requires the Division of Family Resources to provide certain information to childcare ministries. This safety information could save the life or health of a young child. The bill mentions information regarding child supervision, staff-to-child ratios, use of equipment and emergency procedures, including first aid and CPR. Wouldn't you feel more secure knowing your child's care provider knows how to respond if a crisis strikes? Don't you want to know that your childcare center has an appropriate number of staff, so no child is unattended or ignored? Indiana has some laws governing these important aspects of childcare, but it is crucial that every childcare provider is aware of safety issues and procedures. Both the study on childcare funding and the bill requiring this information to be provided attempt to improve Indiana's approach to raising healthy children, and I'm proud to say I support this legislation. What's most important to me in the Statehouse is representing you. I always appreciate hearing your thoughts. Please contact me by e-mail at h78@in.gov, by toll-free at 1-800-382-9841 or by writing me at the Statehouse, 200 W. Washington St., Indianapolis, IN 46204. |
