With many new state laws already taking effect, you might be wondering how they will impact you directly. Here is a helpful breakdown of some of the initiatives the Indiana General Assembly passed in the 2014 legislative session.
If you’re a parent…
- Do you have preschool-aged kids? House Enrolled Act 1004 will help Indiana leaders assess the effectiveness of funding for early childhood education by establishing a pilot program to help low-income families send their children to preschool. This will help lawmakers determine whether a statewide program would be a good use of taxpayer funds.
- Every child should have a permanent, loving home. HEA 1222 supports adoptive families by providing a tax credit of up to $1,000 per adopted child.
If you’re an educator…
- Many teachers showed concern that the Common Core academic standards were adopted in Indiana without adequate input from parents and educators. SEA 91 withdraws Indiana from these standards and requires the State Board of Education to approve new Indiana-specific standards. These will prepare students for success in college and the workforce, surpass federal requirements and maintain our state’s sovereignty over our schools.
- School should always be a place where students and faculty feel safe. To further that mission, SEA 85 helps local schools afford first-class security by allowing them to receive state grants for the training of school resource officers. This will help schools determine their own safety needs and find the support they may need.
If you commute to work…
- Many Central Indiana residents expressed a desire for an improved mass transit system. SEA 176 creates a balanced approach to funding an expanded public transit service, while allowing taxpayers to make the final decision on the issue through a voter referendum. This applies to Marion, Hamilton, Johnson, Hancock, Madison and Delaware counties.
- To preserve Indiana’s status as the “Crossroads of America,” HEA 1002 authorizes the State Budget Agency to transfer up to $400 million from the state’s transportation reserve to pay for current road projects.
If you own a business…
- Through SEA 1, the General Assembly continued Indiana’s pro-growth tax reform by cutting the state’s corporate income tax to the second-lowest in the nation and creating new local options to reduce personal property tax.
- Many business owners face significant red tape when trying to establish their company. HEA 1198 creates an online one-stop shop for businesses where owners can file permit applications, pay fees and manage other requirements.
If you’re a veteran…
- More veterans and their families can now access assistance for food, housing and other essential family expenses. SEA 352 allows veterans to apply for Indiana’s Military Family Relief Fund any time after their service, instead of only within a three-year window.
- For veterans interested in teaching, SEA 331 creates the Second Service for Veterans program. This requires state colleges and universities to provide academic resources and tuition assistance to qualifying veteran students pursuing education.
These are just a few of the new laws the Indiana State Senate and House of Representatives worked on this year. Click here to watch Senate President Pro Tem David Long’s review of the 2014 legislative session.
