St. Joseph Judge Hostetler certified as senior judge
A former St. Joseph Superior Court judge has been granted senior judge status following his retirement.
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Articles
Young women appointed to Children’s Commission to serve as voice for youth
Two young women have been selected to serve as the voice of Indiana’s youth in foster care and social services and will be the newest — and youngest — members of the Commission on Improving the Status of Children Indiana.
State, abortion providers take home wins, losses in wide-ranging abortion ruling
In an expansive decision detailing the “global assault” on numerous facets of Indiana’s abortion regulation scheme, a federal judge has struck down numerous Indiana abortion limits, such as those restricting telemedicine consultations between doctors and women seeking abortions. Other Hoosier abortion regulations, however, have been upheld, including those requiring an 18-hour delay between a patient’s receipt of required materials and her abortion procedure, as well as an ultrasound requirement.
Rokita loses first attempt at Indiana Supreme Court to stop governor’s lawsuit against General Assembly
The Indiana Supreme Court has denied Indiana Attorney General Todd Rokita’s emergency petition to halt a trial court from continuing proceedings in the governor’s lawsuit against the Legislature.
Divided 7th Circuit reverses for Indiana over ‘abortion complications’ reporting statute
An Indiana statute requiring medical providers to report to the state complications “arising from” abortions is not unconstitutionally vague on its face, a split 7th Circuit Court of Appeals ruled in a Monday reversal. A dissenting judge, however, would uphold the injunction against the “incomprehensible” law.
Congress passes bill to fund Capitol security, Afghan visas
Congress overwhelmingly passed emergency legislation Thursday that would bolster security at the Capitol, repay outstanding debts from the violent Jan. 6 insurrection and increase the number of visas for allies who worked alongside Americans in the Afghanistan war.
Report: Hate crime laws lack uniformity across the US
More than half a century since they were modernized, hate crime laws in the U.S. are inconsistent and provide incomplete methods for addressing bias-motivated violence, according to a new report by advocates for better protections.
Justices accepting briefs in AG’s bid to stop Holcomb’s lawsuit against General Assembly
The Indiana Supreme Court is calling for briefs in the attorney general’s bid to stop proceedings in the governor’s lawsuit against the Indiana General Assembly.
Indiana businesses urge Congress to pass LGBTQ protections
More than 100 Indiana businesses are urging Congress to pass legislation stalled in the Senate that would extend federal civil rights protections to LGBTQ people, saying in a letter that “discrimination is bad for business.”
Should Congress amend online immunity for Big Tech? No perfect answer
Signing into your preferred social media platform is usually simple. But what if you’ve been blocked temporarily — or permanently — after posting content that caused a stir? That’s the heart of a current political battle over Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act.
Senate leader lends clout to marijuana legalization push
The Senate’s top Democrat is backing a bill that would strike down a longstanding federal prohibition on marijuana, embracing a proposal that has slim chance of becoming law yet demonstrates growing public support for decriminalizing the drug.
State reports slight increase in Indiana abortions for 2020
The number of abortions performed in Indiana grew slightly last year, with a new state report showing that drug-induced abortions made up a majority of the procedures for the first time.
Democrats craft voting bill with eye on Supreme Court fight
As congressional Democrats gear up for another bruising legislative push to expand voting rights, much of their attention has quietly focused on a small yet crucial voting bloc with the power to scuttle their plans: the nine Supreme Court justices.
Hoosiers push Indiana senators to support federal election law
Several dozen voting rights supporters came to downtown Indianapolis on Tuesday to push for the passage of S.1, the For the People Act of 2021. They gathered in front of the district offices of Sens. Todd Young and Mike Braun to promote what they see as a “once-in-a-generation” opportunity to strengthen the right to vote.
Willett, Speck: Legislative, policy changes to telehealth post-COVID
Although the practice of telehealth well preceded COVID-19, the pandemic sparked a substantial boom in the use of telehealth services. Along with this boom came legislative and policy changes both at the state and federal levels.
Federal judge blocks ‘abortion reversal’ disclosure requirement
A federal judge has blocked a new Indiana law that would have required abortion providers to inform patients about the possibility of “reversing” a medication abortion. The Wednesday ruling prevents House Enrolled Act 1577 from taking effect tomorrow as scheduled.
House to vote on bill launching probe of Jan. 6 insurrection
A new committee to investigate the Jan. 6 insurrection at the U.S. Capitol would have 13 members and the power to subpoena witnesses, according to legislation released by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi. The House is expected to vote on the bill this week.
COA allows defendant to take deposition of alleged child sex abuse victim
Following a recent decision that struck down a law limiting when defendants can take the deposition of an alleged child sex abuse victim, the Indiana Court of Appeals has once again allowed a defendant accused of child sex crimes to take the deposition of his accuser.
Cox, Friedman: Federal, state protections for manufacturers of COVID-19 products
In order to protect and encourage innovation in the pandemic response effort, both the secretary of Health and Human Services and the Indiana Legislature have enacted protections from liability for those making products aimed at helping in the fight against COVID-19.
New law establishes process for removing no-show elected officials from office
Motivated by a Lake County recorder who did not show up for work for more than a year, the Indiana General Assembly took an unusual step during the 2021 session and created a narrow pathway for local governments to remove one of their own instead of waiting for the voters to take action.