Sen. Bray reports on end of 2018 legislative session
The Indiana General Assembly concluded its 2018 legislative session on Wednesday, March 14, District 37 State Sen. Rodric Bray (R-Martinsville) reports.
Highlights of the 2018 legislative session include bills aimed at fighting the drug epidemic, improving workforce development and supporting Hoosier schools.
• Senate Enrolled Act 221 helps prevent opioid abuse by requiring doctors to check INSPECT, Indiana’s prescription-monitoring service, before prescribing opioids to a patient.
• Senate Enrolled Act 50 and House Enrolled Act 1002 work together to streamline Indiana’s workforce development efforts and expand financial aid for job-training programs.
• Senate Enrolled Act 172 prepares students for the job market by requiring all K-12 schools to offer a computer science class by 2021.
• House Enrolled Act 1001 provides additional school funding due to higher-than-expected enrollment in public schools for the 2017-18 and 2018-19 school years.
• House Enrolled Act 1426 adjusts Indiana’s diploma system to make sure all high-school graduates are provided with a better, more effective pathway into college or the workforce.
• Senate Enrolled Act 99, which Bray authored, modifies Indiana’s civil forfeiture laws to create a better balance between property owners’ Constitutional rights and law-enforcement needs.
“One of my goals this year was to improve our state’s civil forfeiture laws,” Bray said. “Civil forfeiture is an important tool for law-enforcement when cracking down on gangs and other criminal activities. However, we must be respectful of a person’s right to their property. SEA 99 strikes a balance between these two interests and helps law enforcement combat illegal activity.”
The Senate has now adjourned “sine die” – which signifies the end of the 2018 Indiana General Assembly.