The Indiana Senate Tuesday advanced a bill to restrict gender reassignment surgery for inmates in Indiana prisons to a third reading and a final vote.
House Bill 1569 was authored by Rep. Peggy Mayfield, R-Martinsville, and passed through the Indiana House Courts and Criminal Code Committee and the full House as well as a Senate committee. It is among multiple bills targeting trans rights making their way through the General Assembly this session.
The bill would restrict the Department of Corrections from using any state resources to pay for hormone therapy or gender reassignment surgery for inmates.
Senate Minority Leader Greg Taylor, D-Indianapolis, unsuccessfully offered an amendment to the bill providing that if an inmate paid for the surgery out of their own pocket, then the DOC would provide support and facilitate the procedure.
Taylor said this would be like “any other medically necessary procedure†for which the DOC must take the patient off premises to provide the service.Â
Sponsors of the bill—Sen. Stacey Donato, R-Logansport, and Sen. Michael Young, R-Indianapolis—opposed the amendment.
Young asked whether this could create discipline or security problems and whether the inmate might have to move.Â
“If we have to move those people from male prisons into female prisons and vice versa, I just think that would be a problem,†Young said.
Taylor told his colleagues to “look up the definition before you ask that question.â€
“Educate yourself before you ask the question. Gender reassignment could be about taking a hormone. As simple as that. So before you come up here and ask questions, educate yourself,†Taylor said.
Taylor said the State of Indiana has an obligation to all DOC inmates to “provide medically necessary surgeries.â€Â
“My public policy position is that when someone needs a medically necessary procedure, even if they’re incarcerated, they have a human right to receive it,†Taylor said.Â
“All I’m trying to do is carve out and say that if you have private pay insurance and you want to pay for it yourself, the DOC should provide and facilitate this medically necessary procedure.â€
The bill is eligible for a final vote in the Senate later this week.Â
EPA and HHS Encourage States to Utilize Federal Resources for Lead Detection and Mitigation in Early Care and Education Settings
WASHINGTON (March 28, 2023) — The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) issued a joint letter to governors to encourage state and local governments to use federal funding to take actions to reduce and remove lead in drinking water in early care and education settings, like elementary schools and daycare facilities.
“The science is clear: there is no safe level of lead of exposure to lead — especially for our children,â€Â said EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan. “The Biden-Harris Administration is taking a whole-of-government approach towards reducing lead exposure, especially in the environments our youth learn and grow. We are encouraging our state and local partners to join us in this critical effort and leverage the unprecedented levels of federal funding from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to reduce childhood lead exposure.â€
“Children are our future,â€Â said HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra. “The Biden-Harris Administration is committed to protecting children and the communities they live in by taking action to deliver clean drinking water, replace lead pipes, and remove lead paint. This collaboration between HHS and EPA will continue to advance lead remediation in elementary schools and child care facilities, protecting the health and well-being of future generations.â€
EPA and HHS are delivering on the White House’s Lead Pipe and Paint Action Plan by encouraging federal, state, and local governments to use every tool to deliver clean drinking water, replace lead pipes, and remediate lead paint. Funding for this collaborative initiative can come from both the American Rescue Plan and the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, among other federal resources. It is especially critical to make improvements to places where children spend significant time such as child care centers, family child care homes, preschools, and Head Start programs. Together, these historic federal investments have the potential to be transformative and to act as a catalyst to achieve lead-free water for all, especially for children who are most susceptible to the health impacts from lead exposure.
President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law is dedicating an unprecedented $15 billion to removing lead from drinking water including in early child care settings. In the coming days, EPA will be announcing this year’s drinking water funding supporting states, Tribes, and territories in upgrading critical infrastructure and improving access to safe drinking water across the nation. This funding builds on President Biden’s Investing in America agenda to deliver clean water and protect public health for all people, especially disadvantaged communities.
States can also take administrative measures to support the health and safety of children in early care and education settings by establishing or strengthening licensing and monitoring requirements or improving blood lead screening programs. In addition, states can provide technical assistance and resources to meet lead testing and remediation requirements, including use of the EPA 3Ts (Training, Testing, and Taking Action) voluntary program to help schools and child care facilities make progress on reducing lead in drinking water.
PEORIA, Ill. – The Vincennes University baseball team closed out their four-game Mid-West Athletic Conference (MWAC) series at Illinois Central Monday afternoon and fell in the doubleheader, dropping game one 7-5 before falling in game two of the day 8-2.
The Trailblazers got off to a really good start Monday, with leadoff hitter, sophomore Ethan Burdette (Linton, Ind.) leading off the game with a single, stealing second base and later scoring on a throwing error to give the Blazers a 1-0 lead.
Illinois Central would get this run back in the bottom half of the first, before VU would score in the second after sophomore Colin Long (Evansville, Ind.) led off the inning by being hit by a pitch and later scoring on an RBI single by freshman Kade Hinton (Fort Wayne, Ind.) to take the lead back.
ICC would grab the lead back in the fourth with three runs before VU would get a run back in the fifth after Kade Hinton led off the inning with a single and scoring on a fielding error by the Cougars to cut the deficit to 4-3.
VU would take the lead back in the sixth with a pair of runs coming on back-to-back RBI doubles by Kade Hinton and Ethan Burdette. Hinton’s third hit of the game and second RBI of the game to give VU a 5-4 lead.
Illinois Central would answer back however in this back-and-forth showdown, scoring three runs in the sixth to take the lead back and holding on after retiring the Blazers in order in the seventh to pick up the 7-5 victory in game one of the day.
Freshman Jace Parnin (Fort Wayne, Ind.) got the start on the mound Monday, throwing three and two-third innings, allowing four runs on four hits and striking out four.
Sophomore Caleb Moore (St. Louis, Mo.) entered out of the pen to throw an inning and two-thirds, allowing one run on one hit and striking out one.
Sophomore Xavier Hart (Jeffersonville, Ind.) came in to pick up the final two outs of the sixth inning, allowing two runs on two hits and striking out one.
Vincennes then looked to turn things around and avoid the series sweep in the series finale and were again the first team on the scoreboard with sophomore Kobe Bartlett (Rockport, Ind.) leading off the second with a single and later scoring on a groundout by sophomore Mahkai Pelzer (Douglasville, Ga.).
Illinois Central would get a run in the bottom of the second to even the score at 1-1 before picking up a pair of runs in the third and three runs in the fourth to take a 6-1 lead.
The Cougars continued to add to their lead with a run in the fifth and a run in the sixth before the Blazers would look to attempt a late comeback in the seventh with a solo home run by sophomore Colton Evans (Henderson, Ky.), his sixth of the season.
While the VU bullpen did manage to silence the ICC batters in the late innings, the Blazers were equally unable to get something going offensively, with Vincennes able to get one runner on base in the final two innings as Illinois Central closed out the 8-2 victory and picked up the MWAC Conference series sweep.
Sophomore Jake Stuteville (Rockport, Ind.) got the start on the mound in game two, throwing four innings, allowing six runs on 11 hits and striking out two.
Freshman Logan Medsker (Marshall, Ill.) was the first out of the pen in the series finale, throwing an inning and two-thirds, allowing two runs on two hits and striking out two.
Freshman Aaron Fenn (Fort Wayne, Ind.) finished out the final two and one-third innings on the mound for VU, allowing one hit and striking out two.
The Trailblazers will look to bounce back when VU hits the road again tomorrow, Tuesday, March 28 when Vincennes travels to Olney, Ill. to face-off against Olney Central College. First pitch tomorrow is scheduled for 3 p.m. eastern.
EPD DAILY ACTIVITY REPORTÂ FOOTNOTE: Â EPD DAILY ACTIVITY REPORT Â information was provided by the EPD and posted by the City-County-County Observer without opinion, bias, or editing.
MUNCIE, Ind. – University of Southern Indiana Baseball lost a heartbreaker in 11 innings to Ball State University, 7-6, Tuesday afternoon in Muncie, Indiana. USI watched its record go to 7-18, while Ball State goes to 18-6.  USI junior first baseman Jack Ellis (Jeffersonville, Indiana) put the Eagles up in the second inning with a RBI-double for the 1-0 lead. Ball State tied the game, 1-1, in the bottom half of the third before junior centerfielder Ren Tachioka (Japan) drove in USI’s second run of the game in the fourth for the 2-1 lead.  The Cardinals responded with a two-spot in the bottom of the fourth for the 3-2 margin and would hold that lead until the top of the seventh. USI regained the lead for a third time when junior designated hitter Tucker Ebest (Austin, Texas) doubled in a pair of runs for a 4-3 advantage.  The Eagles held the 4-3 lead until the bottom of the ninth when the Cardinals scratched a run across to tie the score, 4-4, on a USI error and force extra frames.  USI had the advantage early in the extra innings by taking command 6-4. USI junior rightfielder Steven Molinet  (Elberfeld, Indiana) gave the Eagles back the lead for the fourth time with a RBI-double, while Ellis put USI up two, 6-4, with a sacrifice fly.  Ball State, however, was not done and tied the score, 6-6, in the bottom of the 10th, scoring the tying run on a wild pitch and set the stage in the 11th. The Eagles stranded a pair of runners on in the top of the 11th before the Cardinals got the game-winning solo home run in the bottom of the frame.  On the mound, junior right-hander Zach Sliger (Franklin, Kentucky) took the loss for the Eagles. Sliger (0-1) allowed one run on one hit and struck out two in an inning of work after entering to get the Eagles out of the 10th.  On a staff day on the mound, the Eagles received strong relief pitching performances from junior right-hander Trent Robinson (Louisville, Kentucky), who allowed a single run in three innings of work; junior right-hander Corey Anderson (Linton, Indiana), who posted two-plus scoreless innings; and junior right-hander Matthew Moore (Newburgh, Indiana), who struck out four and allowed an unearned run in three innings of action.  Up Next for the Eagles:  The Eagles resume Ohio Valley Conference action with a visit to Lindenwood University for a three-game series this weekend. The first pitch Friday, Saturday, and Sunday is slated for 1 p.m. each day in St. Charles, Missouri.  USI, which started OVC play 0-3, trails in the all-time series with Lindenwood, 4-1, since the 2020 season when the Lions joined the Great Lakes Valley Conference. All five of the previous contests were played in St. Charles.  Lindenwood, currently, is 3-21 overall and also began its OVC schedule with three-straight losses at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock. The Lion host the University of Missouri for a 3 p.m. contest Wednesday prior to welcoming USI this weekend. Â
Bill banning gender-affirming care for minors is now one step from becoming law
Staff Report
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It has drawn some of the longest and most contentious debate of the 2023 legislative session, with most attempts to amend it failing while opponents have called it discriminatory and dangerous.
Now SB 480, which bans gender-affirming care for Indiana minors, has passed its second chamber of the General Assembly and heads to Gov. Eric Holcomb’s desk to face its final possible hurdle.
While proponents congratulated lawmakers after the bill passed the House Monday along party lines—“This important legislation will help prevent such child abuse, †Attorney General Todd Rokita tweeted—critics were swift to respond.
“Indiana lawmakers seem hellbent on joining the growing roster of states determined to jeopardize the health and lives of transgender youth, in direct opposition to the overwhelming body of scientific and medical evidence supporting this care as appropriate and necessary,†said Katie Blair, advocacy and public policy director of the ACLU of Indiana, in a statement.
“The idea that these youth are being pushed into harmful medical care is an insult to their parents who are working very hard to get the best care for their children. Politicians harm us all when they ignore medical judgment and block access to standard care in favor of discriminatory fear-mongering. Transgender youth in Indiana deserve the support and care necessary to give them the same chance to thrive as their peers.â€
She went on to say the ACLU will contest SB 480 in court if Holcomb signs it into law.
Planned Parenthood Alliance Advocates East tweeted, “Gov. Holcomb must recognize that SB 480 is part of a coordinated campaign to erase trans Hoosiers and veto it without hesitation. This bill is flat out wrong. It’s wrong for Hoosier parents. It’s wrong for Hoosier youth. And it’s the antithesis of medical best practice.â€
Earlier, on the House floor, Rep. Blake Johnson, D-Indianapolis, said the bill sent a message about the Assembly’s values.
“We choose winners and losers. We suggest that some Hoosiers matter more than others, that some beliefs matter more than others,†he said according to a press release. “And today, with Senate Bill 480, we are sending a signal to a very specific group of Hoosiers; young people who are among our most vulnerable, our most isolated, our most likely to suffer from depression and suicidal thoughts. We say to them, not that we’re here for them, but rather that there is in fact something wrong with them.
“We signal that in the eyes of the State, this population must be forced to fit our narrow understanding of identity, our myopic interpretation of the science and skewed version of the facts.â€
In an op-ed offered to media, Rep. Vernon G. Smith, D-Gary, wrote, “While I understand there are many concerns surrounding the types of treatment afforded to children, I also listened as many doctors and healthcare professionals assured us no children in Indiana are receiving surgical or irreversible treatments. We also heard from many parents of transgender children who told us gender-affirming care saved their child’s life. …
“Senate Bill 480 is state-sanctioned bullying, plain and simple.â€
Rep. Kyle Miller, D-Fort Wayne, said in a statement, “Beyond the cruelty of this legislation, bills like this will ultimately harm all Hoosiers in the end. We in the General Assembly have spent much of this session working to enhance our workforce, and simultaneously, Republicans are telling people that they aren’t welcome in our state.
“How can we expect to bring more businesses, workers and families to Indiana when we focus so much of our energy in the General Assembly interfering in the private matters of Hoosier families and persecuting people who are simply trying to live their most authentic lives?â€
In a lengthy statement, House Democratic Leader Phil GiaQuinta, D-Fort Wayne, said, “Statehouse Republicans again reach into the homes and doctors’ offices of Hoosiers in another bid to control the nuclear family. Draconian policies from the abortion ban to attacks on the LGBTQ community represent a larger desire to bring Uncle Sam into intimate family health decisions.
“The party that used to evangelize ideals like parental rights and small government has drifted far from its foundations. Only those individuals that align themselves and their families with the image of the Republican party can experience true individual liberties and freedoms in Indiana. GOP lawmakers think they know how to raise your families better than you do. They want to tell you exactly when and how to do it, too.â€
He added: “Culture wars are not without costs. Vulnerable Hoosiers continue to be collateral of this extremist policymaking.â€
SB 480 is one of several trans rights bills in the General Assembly this session, following a trend in statehouses nationwide. Last year, Holcomb vetoed a bill restricting trans children on sport teams, but the Assembly overrode it.
JB Bugs accused of taking more than $227,000 from 19 consumers
Attorney General Todd Rokita today announced a lawsuit against defendants accused of failing to perform work after taking payments from customers seeking restoration of vintage Volkswagen vehicles.
Operating under the name JB Bugs, the company not only failed to do the work it promised but also gave false updates to consumers about work that was supposedly in progress, the lawsuit states.
“As a Volkswagen Thing and Bug enthusiast myself, I understand the love poured into these vehicles by their owners,†Attorney General Rokita said. “Unfortunately, scammers play on these kinds of passions to defraud people of money, but we will keep working to protect Hoosiers and hold businesses accountable.â€
Defendants named in the lawsuit are JB Bugs Trick & Truck Shop LLC and Palm Principals LLC — both operating under the name JB Bugs — and owners John Bragg and Melanie Goode.
After customers paid JB Bugs significant sums of money for the restorations — and received assurances the work was in progress — they eventually learned the company’s building was vacated and their vintage vehicles missing.
In total, Attorney General Rokita’s complaint alleges that 19 consumers paid JB Bugs $227,000 without JB Bugs restoring the consumers’ vehicles or providing any refunds. The complaint alleges the defendants violated the Indiana Deceptive Consumer Sales Act’s prohibition on deceptive and unfair business practices.
Attorney General Rokita is seeking restitution for the affected consumers and civil penalties against the defendants.
Defendant John Bragg is also facing criminal charges in Indiana for his actions at JB Bugs. He was recently located and arrested in North Carolina.
