Columbus, IN — As the calendar flips to July, Indiana is set to implement a slate of new laws that cover a wide range of issues, from enhancing protections for young children to making adjustments in education and workplace regulations.
Starting Monday, one of the most discussed new statutes is focused on establishing safe baby courts. Authored by Rep. Ryan Lauer, R-Columbus, these specialized courts aim to address the needs of children age 5 and under who are experiencing abuse and neglect. Lauer, a member of the House Family, Children and Human Affairs Committee, explains that these courts will offer an expedited process to help reduce the time children spend in foster care.
In an effort to achieve both safety and stability, the new law also encourages parental engagement to minimize the probability of further adversities. Lauer emphasized that the ultimate priority is to secure a nurturing and permanent family setting for the children through various means including adoption and guardianship. The implementation of these courts is optional across Indiana’s 92 counties, providing local governments the autonomy to adopt this system based on their specific needs.
Another significant law introduced by Lauer pertains to children who have been removed from their homes due to severe circumstances. It mandates preparation for adoption if a child is not safely reunited with their parents within a year. Sen. Greg Walker, R-Columbus, expressed his support for the measure, highlighting the broad endorsement from child welfare advocates and various state agencies.
The State of Indiana is also addressing third-grade literacy with a stringent approach, where passing the state reading exam becomes a prerequisite for advancing to the fourth grade. Approximately $28 million has been allocated for remediation initiatives, including summer programs designed to boost reading skills. Lauer argues that establishing strong reading abilities at an early stage is crucial for ongoing academic success, although Walker criticized this approach, favoring interventions that assist students without holding them back academically.
The new suite of laws also includes legislation permitting Indiana schools to allow students to participate in off-campus religious instruction during school hours, provided parents formally request this accommodation. This has been a common practice in many Indiana schools, and the law formalizes the process while maintaining it as an optional program.
Further diversifying the new regulations, the state has set stricter guidelines concerning the use of electronic devices in classrooms. The law decrees that schools must enforce policies that limit the use of personal technology like smartphones and tablets during instructional time to minimize distractions, although exceptions are made for educational purposes or emergencies.
Another area addressed by the new laws is the state’s workforce, particularly affecting teenagers. The new legislation extends permissible work hours for teens aged 14 and older, allowing them to work past 7 p.m. on school nights. Lauer assures that the change will not compromise the existing child labor laws concerning working conditions, viewing it as an opportunity for young individuals to gain valuable work experience and develop strong work ethics.
In addition to these laws, Indiana has enacted several other measures taking effect in July. These include the requirement for intellectual diversity and complaints against university professors, regulations around the sale of tobacco and vaping products near school premises, new rules addressing artificial intelligence in creating non-consensual pornography, and stricter age verification on pornographic websites to protect minors.
The set of laws coming into effect signifies Indiana’s continual reassessment and adjustment of its legal framework to address evolving societal needs and challenges. These statutes are expected to bring significant changes across various facets of life in Indiana, impacting education, child welfare, employment, and personal freedoms.