Bauer files 2025 bills focused on public safety; infant and maternal health
With the official start of the 2025 legislative session, State Rep. Maureen Bauer (D-South Bend) has filed bills focused on two key areas: public safety and infant and maternal health.
House Bill (HB) 1039 would prohibit the online sale of ammunition to minors. A report conducted by Everytown for Gun Safety revealed that seven online retailers sold ammunition without any age verification at the point of sale or at the time of delivery. The bill would require proof of identity and age verification for the purchase of ammunition, such as other age-restricted products including alcohol, tobacco, and online betting.
HB1328 would require landlords to fix essential systems, such as plumbing and heating, within 48 hours of a tenant's notification. If landlords do not do so within 30 days, the tenant can withhold rent to cover repair costs. The tenant can also pay rent to the court during a legal dispute, with the court distributing it to the prevailing party. The bill would also prevent a landlord from leasing a property to a new tenant if essential repairs have not been maintained.
“It is the responsibility of the landlord to guarantee safe, habitable living spaces for all their tenants,” Bauer said. “We have learned from the tragic LaPorte Ave fire in South Bend that took the lives of six children last year. Although the cause of the fire remains unknown, the residence failed a federally mandated safety inspection six months before the fire with known electrical issues. It must be the duty required of a landlord to guarantee a safe home for renters.
HB1072 would require law enforcement agencies to adopt a statewide, evidence-based domestic violence lethality assessment protocol for all reported incidents of domestic violence. The assessment consists of 11 yes-or-no questions designed to gauge the danger victims face. Modeled off the Gabby Petito Act in Florida, this bill will help identify victims at risk of harm and would help law enforcement officers and domestic violence agencies connect high-risk victims to support services.
HB1094 would require anyone performing a sonogram, an imaging technique that uses ultrasonic waves to produce an electronic image inside a body, to be licensed by the Indiana Department of Health.
“Only four states require licensure to operate a sonogram machine, Indiana not being one. Pregnant women seeking holistic healthcare in Indiana are being misled to believe crisis pregnancy centers are offering medical services. However, the services received are non-diagnostic and can lead to missed or overlooked health emergencies, such as an ectopic pregnancy, which can lead to pregnancy loss or infertility. It is time to raise the bar when it comes to infant and maternal healthcare in Indiana.”
HB1205 requires a State Employee Health Plan (SEHP), a policy of accident and sickness insurance, and a health maintenance organization contract to provide coverage for fertility treatment.
“Infertility should be viewed as a medically necessary condition that deserves treatment covered by insurance. The decision to start a family shouldn't come with medical debt. Indiana can join the list of states that choose to support families through In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) treatment and help couples grow their families.
“I am grateful to represent South Bend and Mishawaka once again at the Statehouse and will continue to prioritize drafting legislation promoting Hoosiers’ well-being and safety. Indiana residents deserve to have access to high-quality healthcare services and the comfort of knowing their residence remains a safe space to call home.
“State policymakers have the power to pass safeguards which would raise the bar on housing and healthcare standards in Indiana to benefit and empower families. We have the ability to answer the call to act, and I look forward to taking meaningful action on your behalf as your representative at the Statehouse.”