It's been a victorious week at the General Assembly with the defeat of HB1319. In addition the occupational licencing reform bill, HB1245, is moving; we are continuing to work on SB11 to remove the SNAP ban placed on people with felony drug convictions, and amendments which strengthen upskilling opportunities for low-income, low skill adults have been added to the two workforce development bills, HB1002 & SB50,currently moving through the legislature.

Senator Mark Messmer, Chairman of the Senate Commerce and Technology Committee chose not to give the bill a hearing Thursday."Killing a bill to expand payday lending is a bittersweet victory," Said Policy Analyst Erin Macey, who was IIWF's lead in a coalition of like minded organizations to stop HB1319 from becoming law. "Thanks to the leadership of Senator Messmer, we've prevented further damage, but the current two-week product still exists and will continue to ensnaring low-income borrowers in high-cost debt." An appetite for reform is growing among lawmakers at the statehouse. #36isthefix and we will continue to work for the reform of payday lending which includes a cap of 36% APR in future sessions. 

HB1245 addresses occupational licencing and the challenges faced by workers with criminal backgrounds. HB1245 calls on the state to reform licensing restrictions by limiting restrictions to crimes related to the occupation, places a time limit in which a persons criminal background can be used in determining eligibility, creates a petitioning process for people to determine eligibility and creates a case by case appeals process. Indiana currently has 160 licensing restrictions placed upon people with felonies and misdemeanors. Currently 1 in 7 occupations in Indiana require a licence to practice. HB1245 is a good bill as written in its current form and can help open doors for people working for a second chance. Please call your Senator and ask them to support HB1245 in its current form and to vote NO on the Koch and Holdman amendments, 1-800-382-9467.

In addition to HB1245 we have been watching SB419, another bill addressing occupational licensing. IIWF's Executive Director Jessica Fraiser testified in support of an amendment added to this bill in  the House Government and Regulatory Reform Committee. The amendment was approved and opens up state occupational licensing opportunities for DACA recipients. SB419 passed out of committee 9-0 and is headed for the House floor.   

SB11, the bill to opt out of the federal lifetime ban from SNAP, which was placed on people with felony drug convictions in the 90's, did not move in the House. However, we believe there is still an opportunity to pass the bill and remove the ban and are actively seeking avenues to do so. 

We're continuing to work with legislators to make sure the needs of low-income, low-skill adults are addressed in the workforce reorganization plans in HB1002 & SB50. There is more work to be done, but we were pleased by an amendment to HB1002 this week that opens EARN Indiana work-based learning opportunities to all part-time adults, and studies the barriers of childcare and transportation to training programs. However, we're concerned that the makeup of the proposed Governor's Workforce Cabinet in both bills fails to include the 20% representation for low-income. adult ed, and community service providers currently required in federal Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) regulations. 

OTHER BILLS: