Township merger bill fails without legislative vote
A proposal that would have forced government mergers on about 300 small Indiana townships has died in the Legislature without a vote.
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Fed approve HIP work requirement, drug treatment
Drug treatment is now covered for Indiana Medicaid recipients, but some enrolled in the Healthy Indiana Plan will be subject to a work requirement, Gov. Eric Holcomb said Friday.
Push for merging small Indiana townships nears House vote
Hundreds of Indiana’s least-populated townships face forced mergers with their neighbors in what would be the most significant overhaul of the local governments since a gubernatorial commission called for their elimination a decade ago.
House Republicans release partisan memo on Russia probe
House Republicans on Friday released a partisan and bitterly disputed memo that they say shows surveillance abuses in the early stages of the FBI’s investigation into the Trump campaign and Russia.
Fair Housing suit alleges racial discrimination after foreclosures
A national coalition of fair housing advocates has filed a complaint in federal court alleging intentional and discriminatory violations of the Fair Housing Act of 1968 against minority communities across the country, including communities in Indiana.
ADA complaint against IPS will continue
A federal lawsuit alleging Indianapolis Public Schools failed to accommodate a former employee’s disability will proceed in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Indiana after a judge partially denied IPS’ motion to dismiss.
Indiana distributing overdose antidote kits to 34 counties
The Indiana State Department of Health says 95 first responder agencies in 34 rural counties will receive opioid overdose antidote kits. The agency announced Wednesday it’s awarding $127,000 in funding to provide nearly 3,400 naloxone kits and training to the first responders.
DCS consultant: Twice as many Hoosier kids out of home
A consultant hired by the state said Thursday Indiana has more than double the number of children in out-of-home care compared to the national average. The finding was among the highlights of an initial report commissioned by Gov. Eric Holcomb after the resignation of former Department of Child Services director Mary Beth Bonaventura.
Brother of deadly house blast plotter says “good riddance”
The brother of the man authorities considered the mastermind behind a deadly 2012 Indianapolis house explosion said he has no sympathy over his death. Mark Leonard, who was serving a prison sentence of life without parole, died Tuesday.
Senate panel advances bill allowing more guns in church
An Indiana Senate panel has advanced a bill that would allow churches to let people to carry guns in more circumstances. The measure by Republican Sen. Jack Sandlin of Indianapolis was approved 5-2 Wednesday by the Senate Judiciary Committee.
Civil forfeiture reform bill passes Senate
A bill that would overhaul Indiana’s civil forfeiture framework has passed the Indiana Senate. The legislation is in response to a federal court ruling that struck down part of Indiana’s civil forfeiture statute as unconstitutional.
Hate crime bill dies in Senate committee
Hate crime legislation has again failed in the Indiana Statehouse after Senate Republicans could not reach a consensus on what the bill should include.
House passes bill allowing for e-signing of probate documents
A bill that would allow testators to electronically sign their wills, trusts and powers of attorney documents has received approval from the Indiana House of Representatives.
Bill would limit sex offenders’ access to churches on school property
Serious sex offenders who attend church on a property that also houses an educational institution would be restricted in the amount of time they can spend at that church through a bill that passed an Indiana Senate committee Tuesday.
Ex-Lake County sheriff appealing federal conviction
A former Lake County sheriff is appealing his conviction in a public corruption case.
Senate panel to take up hate crimes bill — again
An Indiana Senate committee will take up a bill targeting hate crimes — again.
Alcoa fighting Boonville’s bid to limit coal mine plans
Alcoa Corp. wants a court to block Boonville from enforcing its new local coal mining regulations.
Republicans vote to release classified memo on Russia probe
Brushing aside opposition from the Justice Department, Republicans on the House intelligence committee voted to release a classified memo that purports to show improper use of surveillance by the FBI and the Justice Department in the Russia investigation.
Bill expanding AG’s standing in settlements divides committee
A bill expanding the Indiana Attorney General’s ability to intervene in certain settlements that do not involve constitutional issues cleared a Statehouse committee Monday on a party-line vote. The measure advances to the full Senate.
Tax Advisory Council has inaugural meeting
The Indiana Department of Revenue’s Tax Advisory Council convened behind closed doors for its inaugural quarterly meeting today. Created in December, the group’s mission is to “shape the future of tax administration by providing input regarding agency operations, policies and legislative proposals,” according to the department.