State Rep. Ryan Hatfield aims to help workers, crime victims

INDIANAPOLIS – In his first session, State Representative Ryan Hatfield (D-Evansville) will focus on legislation aimed at protecting Hoosiers who are at risk of losing their jobs and those who are victims of crime.

One proposed bill is a work share program created to help companies and workers during hard economic times.

This legislation will allow companies to avoid laying off their employees and instead offer them partial unemployment benefits so they can maintain their current jobs. In order to qualify, a business must have more than 2 employees who work at least 30 hours a week.

To be able to participate in a work share program, a company must first submit a proposal to the commissioner of the state Department of Workforce Development (DWD), who will have 15 days to review the case. If accepted, the business can start reducing employee hours and implementing the benefits that come along with this program.

“We are in better economic times, although too many workers aren’t feeling it yet,” said Hatfield. “It is essential to create a plan to help our businesses stay afloat and ensure employees maintain their jobs during economic downturns.”

Currently, 30 states have a work share program set in place which helps businesses by cutting costs related to hiring, training and recruiting.

“We want to support small local businesses, and companies that may be set back when the economy slows,” Hatfield said. “We want to make this optional program available to every business in need.”

This program is being credited with saving nearly half a million jobs that would have been lost.

Hatfield is also pursuing legislation that will make sure employees are fairly compensated for working overtime.

“Hardworking Hoosiers making up the middle class who put in 50, 60, 70 hours a week just to support their families deserve fair compensation,” said Hatfield, who has made it his priority to fight for the working class.

Hatfield also will explore proposed legislation to help victims of crime, a concern he carries over from his time as a deputy prosecutor in Vanderburgh County.

“I have proposed a bill that will remove what is called the rule of 31. It is an additional statute of limitations for the prosecution of certain sex crimes against children,” Hatfield said. “At present, prosecution is barred after a victim reaches the age of 31. As a prosecutor, I found that some children are unable to process what has happened to them until years and maybe decades later. If there is sufficient evidence that a crime has taken place, I believe the person who commits such a crime should have to face justice.”

Hatfield will also pursue passage of a joint resolution that will ensure protection of rights for crime victims by including a guarantee in the Indiana Constitution. This legislation must be approved by two consecutive Indiana General Assemblies and then be passed by the voters of the state of Indiana before going into the Constitution.

Other legislation Hatfield submitted would affect student emergency safety plans at Indiana universities. This will require schools to have prepared and distributed, not later than January 1, 2018, state educational institution guidelines dealing with emergency procedures as well as recommendations.

“I believe having these plans in place will help guarantee the safety of our children as well as help prepare our teachers and administrators for unexpected circumstances,” Hatfield said.
Rep. Hatfield has also introduced legislation to increase the crime and penalty for certain crimes against animals.