NEW LAWS GO INTO EFFECT JULY 1 – Straight From The Senate

During the 2017 legislative session, 272 bills passed out of the Indiana General Assembly, and many of them went into effect July 1.

While some of these bills received a lot of media attention during the legislative session, such as those that work to create a long-term road funding plan and replace the current ISTEP exam, others did not.

Some of these lower-profile new laws that recently went into effect include the following:
Senate Enrolled Act 226 iga.in.gov/legislative/2017/bills/senate/226 limits the amount of opioids that may be prescribed to a patient receiving his or her first opioid prescription from a provider. This bill is aimed at fighting the opioid-abuse epidemic currently plaguing communities across the state.

Senate Enrolled Act 239 requires the Department of Correction to give a crime victim at least 48 hours of notice if an offender’s release or discharge date is changed during the 40-day discharge notification period. In the past, these release dates would sometimes change without notice, causing victims to be unaware that the perpetrator had been released. SEA 239 is a positive step in protecting victims’ rights and keeping them safe.

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Senate Enrolled Act 307 requires the Department of Workforce Development to give veterans and their spouses priority when filling federal or state positions or training programs if they are otherwise eligible and were honorably discharged from the military. This is a practical way we can help our veterans as they transition back to civilian life.

Senate Enrolled Act 323  allows victims of domestic violence to petition a court to separate from a shared cell phone plan with their abuser. Previously, there was no process for a victim who is not the primary account holder to separate from a wireless plan. This situation created an unnecessary hurdle for these victims who are trying to escape from an abusive situation because their abuser would be in control of their ability to communicate with friends, family and services that can assist them. This law will empower victims so they can remove themselves from these dangerous situations.

Each of these bills aims to help Hoosiers in tangible ways, and I am confident they will have a positive impact on our state in the months and years ahead.

For a full list of state laws that were passed this year by the General Assembly, go to my website at www.IndianaSenateRepublicans.com/Long and click on the publications button on the right side of the page. From there, you can download the complete “2017 Summary of New Laws” booklet.

As always, I welcome your input on these bills or others. My office can be reached by phone at 800-382-9467 or by email at Senator.Long@iga.in.gov.