The  Indiana General Assembly's 2018 legislative session ended shortly after midnight -the Sine Die deadline - on Wednesday, March 14th (technically Thursday, March 15th). After three years of dedication and effort, the Institute and coalition partners successfully passed a bill to remove the lifetime ban from SNAP placed upon people with felony drug convictions. In addition, during this final week of session, we saw the legislature enact positive reforms to occupational licensing which will help open pathways for people with criminal records, put in place protections allowing DACA recipients to obtain professional licences, and expand several employer training and workforce programs.

HB1002 and SB50, the two major workforce development reorganization bills discussed this session, both passed the legislature. HB1002 included new employer incentives for the Work INdiana program and will help connect adults without high school degrees to jobs, while at the same time helping them to earn workforce credentials. The bill will also expand employer training programs and a state study of whether the state should submit a 'Combined' WIOA plan to align the state's workforce programs across agencies. SB50 replaces the SWIC, with a new Governor's Workforce Cabinet. The Institute is concerned the new cabinet does not fully meet the guideline of 20 percent representation of the workforce laid out in federal statute, however we appreciate the inclusion of a Community-Based Organization on the cabinet to represent low income workers. 

HB1317, a heath matters bill, was amended with language from SB11 to remove the lifetime ban from SNAP on people with drug felonies. HB1317 successfully passed both chambers and is now on its way to the Governor's desk. The passage of HB1317 is a result of a lot of hard work put forward by a coalition of organizations and faith groups who recognize the importance of access to food as a right for everyone.

HB1245 will reform occupational licensing as it relates to people with criminal backgrounds. This bill will do away with blanket restrictions and open doors for people who have made efforts to turn their lives around. Our Legislative & Communications Assistant Ann Radtke testified in support of these provisions and expertly handled legislator questions in the Conference Committee for the bill. HB1245 is now awaiting Governor Holcomb's signature.

SB419 protects the rights of Hoosier DACA recipients to obtain professional occupational licenses. The bill corrects changes to the license application process that were implemented before DACA was enacted, and SB419 is now awaiting the Governor's signature. 

While we closely monitored SB1316, it did not pass before the clock ran out on the day of Sine Die. SB1316 contained language that would have reduced Indiana's Earned Income Tax Credit. IIWF Director Jessica Fraser testified in Conference Committee on concerns the Institute has in regards to the long-term impact of proposed changes to the EITC when it was first introduced in SB242, before the language was inserted into HB1316. There has been some mention of the possibility of a special session where the issue could arise again.