Andrade outlines 2025 legislative agenda
With the official start of the 2025 legislative session, State Rep. Mike Andrade (D-Munster) has announced his legislative agenda, continuing to advance common-sense legislation that improves the lives of Hoosiers. The bills aim to enhance public safety, improve coverage for chronic diseases and expand sensory resources for individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) to use during emergency situations. “I will continue to work in a bipartisan manner to ensure every Hoosier has the resources and opportunities they need to succeed,” Andrade said.
Public Safety:
HB 1304 seeks to increase the penalty for car robbery, knowingly or intentionally taking a motor vehicle from another person, from a Level 5 Felony to a Level 4 Felony. Andrade, a champion for public safety, expressed his support for bipartisan action in reducing vehicle robberies. "In efforts to reduce the number of vehicle robberies and protect victims of such crimes, I am honored to join my colleagues across the aisle in proposing penalty enhancements and further safeguarding victims," Andrade said.
HB 1307 would establish the Sensory Kit Grant Program, providing grants to public safety agencies to purchase sensory kits designed to help individuals with an autism spectrum disorder or cognitive disabilities stay calm and focused during emergency situations. "This bill is inspired by individuals such as Ben Kodicek, Ben’s Blue Bags, and Logan Ruiz, Logan’s Love - Logan Speaks. Ben’s Blue Bags, is a sensory bag training program designed to show first responders how to provide better services to individuals on the autism spectrum in Indiana. In Memory of Logan, Logan’s Love - Logan Speaks works to keep Logan’s memory everlasting and give back to the Autism community. Both organizations are working to support individuals and families in the Autism and Disability communities,” Andrade stated.
Public Health:
HB 1552 would require state employee health plans (SEHP), accident and sickness insurance policies, and health maintenance organization contracts to provide coverage for anti-obesity medication and intensive behavioral and lifestyle therapy. This legislation aligns with recent federal actions, including the Biden administration's proposal for Medicare and Medicaid to cover drugs used to treat obesity. Currently, Indiana has over two thirds (71%) of adult Hoosiers experiencing obesity - contributing to serious health conditions including Type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Additionally, in 2022 alone, the economic impact of obesity in Indiana was estimated at $9.3 billion, with a total impact of $966 million on the state budget.
“With one of the highest adult obesity rates in the United States, and significant financial strain on the state, expanding Indiana’s Medicaid coverage to include obesity medication and treatment would be the proactive solution to reduce long-term costs, by saving roughly $8 billion, and improve Hoosier health outcomes,” Andrade said.
Mental Health & Student Support:
HB 1305 would require each school corporation and charter school to develop a plan to conduct developmentally appropriate, evidence-based mental health and substance use disorder screenings for students in kindergarten through grade 12. "Early detection is critical in addressing mental health challenges and substance abuse problems, and this bill will help ensure that our students receive the support they need at the earliest possible stage," Andrade said.
HB 1309 would establish the Pediatric Mental Health Professional Recruitment Pilot Program, which aims to increase the availability of pediatric mental health care services across Indiana. The bill would provide incentives to students who agree to provide pediatric mental health services in participating counties, including Lake County, Marion County, and counties with populations under 65,000. "As pediatric mental health needs rise, it’s essential that we recruit more professionals to meet this growing demand, especially in underserved areas," Andrade added.
Support for Educators:
HB1306 would increase the maximum amount of the income tax credit for an individual employed as a teacher for amounts expended for classroom supplies from $100 to $300 per taxable year. “To support our educators, I’m authoring a bill to increase the income tax credit for teachers from $100 to $300 per year for classroom supplies. This bill aligns with the current federal tax code to help teachers offset out-of-pocket expenses as they prepare their classrooms for success,” Andrade said.
A full list of Andrade’s legislation is below:
HB 1305: Mental health and substance use disorder screening
HB 1306: Tax credit for teacher’s classroom supplies
HB 1307: Sensory kit grant programs
HB 1308: Nutrition supports Medicaid waiver
HB 1309: Pediatric mental health
HB 1310: Statewide stroke plan
HB 1313: Reentry support pilot program