State Representative Summers looking foward to serving on interim study committee assignments

INDIANAPOLIS – State Representative Vanessa Summers (D-Indianapolis) today announced her appointment to three interim study committees. Summers has been assigned to the following: Commission on Improving the Status of Children in Indiana; Interim Study Committee on Public Health, Behavioral Health and Human Services; and the Interim Study Committee on Public Policy.

During the fall and summer months, the Indiana General Assembly hosts interim study committees to take a closer look at issues identified in the previous legislative session. Last month, the Legislative Council assigned study topics to each of the interim study committees.

“The health and financial consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic and the civil unrest following the death of George Floyd haven't presented the Indiana General Assembly with new issues,” Summers said. “Instead, recent events have just highlighted injustices that have gone unnoticed for far too long. I'm looking forward to rejoining my colleagues, getting back to work, and delivering real change for the Hoosier State.” 

During the legislative session, Summers is the ranking Democrat on the Family, Children and Human Affairs Committee; and serves as a member on the Public Policy Committee and the Select Committee on Government Reduction.

“My interim study committee assignments being focused on the health and welfare of families and children will allow for me to continue the positive momentum started this past legislative session, and center the needs of Indiana House District 99,” Summers said.

The Marion County legislator spearheaded the Maternal Health Caucus, a bicameral and bipartisan initiative to address one of Indiana's leading health care epidemics with the third highest maternal mortality rate in the country. Summers has tackled kinship caretaking issues in the state with legislation authored over the past few years, including legislation to assist kinship caretakers and keep children out of the foster care system.