House Democrats in Election Committee stand against disenfranchisement of college students, partisan school board races

Today, March 12, the House Committee on Elections and Apportionment heard two controversial bills. Senate Bill 10 eliminates the ability of college students to use their official student ID to register to vote in Indiana. Senate Bill 287 would require school board candidates to declare their political party as a Democrat or Republican to be on the ballot.

Ranking Minority Member Rep. Carolyn Jackson (D-Hammond), Rep. Pat Boy (D-Michigan City), Rep. Sue Errington (D-Muncie) and Rep. Cherrish Pryor (D-Indianapolis), who serve on the House Election Committee, released the following statement on hearing testimony on Senate Bill 10:

“Today, people from across the state came to testify against Senate Bill 10 and the disenfranchisement of college students. Our institutions are trusted to determine if a student is an Indiana resident when they decide to charge them in-state or out-of-state tuition. Why are we suddenly deeming them an unreliable source for verifying residence? 

“Indiana is one of the worst states when it comes to voter turnout. On both sides of the aisle, we agree that is it important to get our young people engaged in our democracy. Adding an additional barrier will inherently discourage college students from participating in elections that will directly impact them.” 

Jackson, Boy, Errington and Pryor released the following statement on the passage of Senate Bill 287 out of committee by a vote of 8 to 5:

“This bill takes the focus of school boards off of educating our students and onto politics. The fundamental purpose of a school board is to keep the schools running smoothly, oversee transportation, building maintenance and teacher retention. Those issues are not political. Forcing these positions to be affiliated with a party will only sow discourse and slow down the process of decision-making. 

“We want qualified, dedicated candidates to step up and run because they are called to serve the community. Making school board elections partisan would deter anyone working for the federal government or an agency that receives federal funding from running to avoid violating the Hatch Act. 

“There are many actions we can take to improve our schools. Inserting politics into school board elections is not one of them. Let’s focus on the real issues for our kids and bolster teacher retention, academic outcomes, and graduation rates."  

House Democrats in the Elections Committee stand against partisan school board race bill

Yesterday, March 5, Senate Bill 287 was heard in the House Elections and Apportionment Committee but did not receive a vote. The bill would require school board candidates to declare their party and run in partisan primaries in order to be on the ballot in the November general election as a Democrat or Republican.

Ranking Minority Member Rep. Carolyn Jackson (D-Hammond), Rep. Pat Boy (D-Michigan City), Rep. Sue Errington (D-Muncie) and Rep. Cherrish Pryor (D-Indianapolis), who serve on the House Election Committee, released the following statement on the bill:

“We believe this piece of legislation will severely damage Indiana public schools, by making school boards about politics and not our students. If this bill passes, we will see the same partisan arguments so prevalent in Washington, D.C. trickle down to our children’s schools. Issues like transportation, building maintenance and teacher retention have nothing to do with party affiliations and will slow down decision-making on our school boards. 

“The bill as written would make it necessary to run in a primary election and general election, when people step up to run simply because they want to serve their communities and provide a good educational system for students. The bill will also prevent anyone who works for the government or any other agency that receives federal funds or grants from running in a partisan election because of the Hatch Act. This will discourage many highly qualified individuals from serving our schools, and it would force many qualified school board members to resign.

“If we want to improve our schools, we should create legislation to increase our teacher retention, strengthen our graduation rate and ensure young Hoosiers receive the same educational opportunities as students across the nation. SB 287 will not help us further these goals, but will distract from the real obstacles we face in our education system. Taxpayers should let their representatives know they oppose this legislation and show them Hoosiers do not want political wars in our schools.”

Jackson’s amendment to expand voting rights for Indiana seniors blocked by House Republicans

Today, Feb. 11, Rep. Carolyn Jackson (D- Hammond) introduced two critical amendments aimed at breaking down barriers and improving access for voters. These amendments focus on two key areas: permanent absentee voter status for elderly and disabled voters and preserving school district's ability to hold referenda on local funding with restrictions from the state.

"Indiana consistently ranks among the lowest states in voter turnout," Jackson said. "Unnecessary barriers like repetitive absentee ballot applications only make it harder for people to participate in our democracy. This amendment would've been a simple fix that removes red tape and ensures that seniors and Hoosiers with disabilities can vote without unnecessary hurdles."

Currently, Indiana allows elderly and disabled voters to cast absentee ballots by mail, but they must submit an application for every election cycle. Jackson's first amendment speeds up this process, eliminating the repetitive paperwork and making voting more accessible for Indiana's vulnerable populations. The amendment to House Bill 1679 was struck down on procedural grounds.

Jackson also introduced an amendment to HB 1681, which removes restrictions on when schools can hold a funding referendum. The current law gives voters the ability to decide what is best for their own communities, but the new legislation would limit when schools can hold referenda, making it harder for them to secure funding. 

"We don't know what school funding will look like in the state budget, but we do know that funding will be tight. Schools need every tool available to ensure they have the budget to operate, providing the best education opportunities for our youth," Jackson added.

Jackson's amendment to HB 1681 was defeated along party lines.

Jackson announces 2025 legislative agenda

State Rep. Carolyn Jackson (D-Hammond) has announced her legislation for the 2025 session of the Indiana General Assembly. Jackson filed seven bills primarily aimed at improving public safety, health care, transportation regulations and tax relief for many across the state.

"This legislative session, we are prioritizing the health, safety and well-being of all Hoosiers," Jackson said. "From strengthening patient rights and mental health support for first responders to enhancing public safety and providing tax relief, these bills reflect my commitment to improving the lives of the residents within our district and throughout the state." 

House Bill 1351 provides mental health support for first responders by establishing the First Responders Mental Health Wellness Fund and Program. This legislation will give first responders access to mental health resources, helping to reduce depression and suicide rates among those who regularly face traumatic situations and put themselves in harm's way as part of their daily profession.

"Protecting our young people is always a priority for me. Ensuring a healthy future for our youth by ensuring quality water in our schools and banning the sale of flavored e-cigarettes just makes sense."

According to the CDC, 88.2% of high school students and 85.7% of middle school students who used e-cigarettes in the past 30 days reported using a flavored e-cigarette during that time. HB 1410 will reduce youth tobacco use by prohibiting the sale of flavored tobacco products, including electronic cigarettes and smokeless tobacco most preferred among the youth.

HB 1411 will require water quality testing in public schools and make it a Level 6 felony for neglect of a dependent for those who fail to comply with regulations. This bill will require districts to maintain a quality standard of water used as drinking water for school children. Additionally, districts that overlook the quality of water within their facilities must come up to standard with state regulations already in place.

"These bills are about protecting and uplifting our communities," Jackson said. "By addressing critical issues like mental health for first responders, youth tobacco use, and water quality in our schools, we are taking meaningful steps towards a safer and healthier community."

Here's a full list of Jackson's legislation for the 2025 legislative session:

HB 1350 Judicial immunity concerning electronic monitoring.      

HB 1351 Consent for pelvic, prostate, and rectal exams.

HB 1352 Mental health care for first responders.              

HB 1353 Regulation of transportation network drivers.  

HB 1410 Ban on sale of flavored tobacco and e-liquids.  

HB 1411 Water quality grants for school buildings.           

HB 1550 Personal exemptions.

Jackson testifies on the second draft diploma proposal

Today (Nov. 8), the State Board of Education (SBOE) met to discuss the second draft of proposed changes to Indiana's high school diplomas. At this meeting, SBOE accepted public testimony to close out the public comment period. 

State Rep. Carolyn Jackson (D-Hammond) issued the following statement regarding her testimony: 

“I have been a legislator for six years. Every single year since I have been elected, there has been a massive change in education policy that requires schools to completely redirect how they are teaching our children. It is our responsibility to educate all students in this state. We are failing to meet the responsibility because we continue to move the goal post for our teachers and students. Every time we have a program in place and new goals to achieve, we change direction and expect teachers and everyone else to fall in line. If we expect students to be able to meet the goals we set for them as a state, we need to be firm in our expectations. 

“Additionally, I still have deep concerns about how this program is going to be implemented. To start, who is going to pay for these changes? For school districts already stretched thin, or for those in distressed status, this program will add extreme financial stress. Last year, citizens in my district voted against the referendum that would have increased school funding because they simply cannot afford higher property taxes. Our schools need more support from the state, not more unattainable goals.

“This diploma redesign comes at a time when our state is facing a severe shortage of school counselors. Right now, the average ratio is 694 students per one school counselor. It is virtually impossible for counselors to give each student the guidance and support they need to ensure they are on track to graduate and find success after high school. These changes will add to counselors' workload significantly as they must navigate the new system and may have to take on the additional role of staffing agent to help students find job placement in order to graduate.

“Overall, the lack of transparency and rushed timeline of this whole diploma redesign process is concerning. The most logical course of action is for the SBOE to delay finalizing this proposal until they can answer the pressing questions posed at this meeting and the last. I want to thank all of my constituents who have shared their thoughts with me on this subject, and all of the educators and concerned citizens who testified and submitted comments to the State Board of Education. I sincerely hope that the SBOE takes this feedback into account to address some of these very real issues before proceeding.”

Jackson ‘deeply concerned’ about Child Abuse and Neglect Fatalities report

Wednesday, Sept. 18, the Interim Study Committee on Child Services met to discuss the latest Child Abuse and Neglect Fatalities Report.

State Rep. Carolyn Jackson (D-Hammond), a member of the committee, released the following statement: 

“No matter how you look at it, the data shown in the latest Child Abuse and Neglect Fatalities report is deeply disturbing. Every single child lost to the cruelty of abuse and neglect is a heart-wrenching tragedy. The numbers have been far too high for far too many years. 

“According to this report, between 2016 and 2022, 421 children lost their lives due to mistreatment by the people trusted to care for them. The number of fatalities was consistent year after year. I am concerned about the qualifications of those investigating these tragedies as they just continue to happen at the same rate.   

“These investigations seem to be just checking the boxes. The well-being and lives of children should not be simplified down to a box to check. 

“Thirteen of the children that died this year had previous involvement with the Department of Child Services. Those deaths could have been prevented. We need to take a deep look at our current system and make changes that will provide greater protection for our most vulnerable population. 

“No child or family should ever be put through this horror. As a state, we need to put all possible resources into protecting Hoosier children from falling victim to these tragedies.” 

Jackson named to board of directors for The Truth Initiative Foundation to stop youth nicotine use

State Rep. Carolyn Jackson (D-Hammond) has officially accepted her appointment to the board of directors for the Truth Initiative Foundation. The Truth Initiative is a nonprofit public awareness and advocacy organization that seeks to discourage youth nicotine use through education, policy study, community activism, commercial tobacco control research, and tobacco dependence treatment innovation. It is the largest nonprofit public health organization dedicated to preventing nicotine addiction in young adults and empowering users to quit. 

The board of directors is an independent body that oversees the work of the Truth Initiative. As part of the 1998 Tobacco Master Settlement Agreement, the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL), the National Association of Attorney’s General (NAAG) and the National Governors Association (NGA) appoint members to serve on the bipartisan board. Rep. Jackson was nominated by the NCSL to be the Democratic board member since the current member is retiring.  

“I am honored to accept this appointment to the board of directors for the Truth Initiative Foundation,” Rep. Jackson said. “The work of this organization is essential to combatting the crisis of youth nicotine use. Nicotine is an incredibly harmful and addictive substance that adversely effects brain development as well as the physical and mental health of young people. Using nicotine before age 25 has also been proven to increase the risk of future addiction to cigarettes and other drugs.

“The effort to prevent youth nicotine use is not new and has seen great success in the past. Through public awareness, education, community engagement, research and policy initiatives, the youth smoking rate dropped from about 23% to 2% since the year 2000. However, the tobacco industry has adapted to target young people once again with new products such as nicotine and e-cigarettes that are easily marketable to teens. In 2021, nearly one in five Hoosier high schoolers reported that they used e-cigarettes.

“Protecting youth in America from falling victim to the commercial tobacco industry's profit-driven schemes takes commitment across different sectors. The Truth Initiative brings together industry leaders, experts from the nation’s top institutions and state officials from all three branches of government including governors, attorneys general and legislators. I look forward to joining this critical organization to help establish their long-term agenda, their priorities and to ensure this initiative is as effective as possible when it comes to reaching America's young people.” 

For more information about Tobacco Prevention & Cessation in Indiana, or to find youth services, visit this Indiana Department of Health page. 

Jackson and Summers call state leaders to action during Black Maternal Health Week

It’s Black Maternal Health Week, and we want to shine a spotlight on the unique issues that Black moms in Indiana face and discuss how to improve the standard of healthcare they receive before, during and after pregnancy. Across the board, Black mothers do not receive the same level of care as their white counterparts, resulting in deadly consequences.

The last thing an expecting mother should worry about is feeling unheard by the medical team charged with their well-being. And yet, these fears ring true for far too many Black mothers. The most recent data from the CDC lays out the grim reality faced by Black women across the country: Black mothers die at a staggering rate of 2.6 times that of white mothers. 

Looking at the numbers for Indiana further showcases this racial disparity. Indiana has the 3rd highest maternal mortality rate in America, and most of those deaths are Black mothers. A recent report shows that in Indiana in 2021, Black women represented 13% of live births but 21% of maternal deaths.  

Simply put, there is a crisis in our state. This crisis is fueled by a multitude of policy failures, including Black mortality rates, implicit bias within the healthcare system and a lack of dedicated funding for solutions. It doesn’t help that Indiana has an abortion ban in place – women know when they are able to carry an unintended pregnancy healthily, and the ban makes it so that the most vulnerable will be the ones carrying unintended pregnancies to term.

Unfortunately, the Republican supermajority at the Statehouse has not previously greenlit a wealth of legislation that would go far toward saving Black moms’ lives, but the Indiana Black Legislative Caucus is committed to offering and passing solutions of substance. At the same time, we are proud to celebrate the legislative wins that have passed and been signed into law.

Rep. Summers co-authored a 2022 law to end the practice of shackling pregnant inmates when they give birth. Birth should not be a traumatic experience, but until just two years ago, the system was failing women who were forced to give birth while incarcerated. She has also fought to create a grant program for community organizations fighting the maternal mortality crisis, but Republican supermajority voted down her amendments to do so during the abortion special session and haven’t yet heard her grant program legislation in committee.

Rep. Jackson has filed legislation for several years now to end the practice of doctors performing non-consensual pelvic exams on patients while they are sedated. In a positive development, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services recently instructed teaching hospitals to obtain written consent before performing sensitive exams, but codifying this common-sense practice in state law is necessary. Our healthcare system has failed Black women time and time again by abusing the relationship of trust that should exist between doctor and patient. This would go a long way toward restoring that trust.

Unfortunately, it is well documented that pregnancy and domestic violence go hand in hand. Rep. Ragen Hatcher (D-Gary) offered a bill this session to make it easier for victims of domestic violence to file forms requesting a protection order and remove affidavit requirements from parts of the process for establishing probable cause. A holistic approach to improving mortality rates is necessary, and that strategy includes protecting moms and moms-to-be from abusers. 

Expanding access to substance use disorder recovery efforts is a critical part of solving this issue because addiction is currently the number-one cause of maternal mortality in Indiana. Rep. Renee Pack (D-Indianapolis) has worked on this issue by offering a bill to ensure that Medicaid patients are not given lifetime restrictions on receiving substance use recovery treatments. 

Defunding harmful organizations that only contribute to misinformation about pregnancy and abortion is important if we’re going to fund organizations truly working on behalf of vulnerable moms-to-be. Rep. Cherrish Pryor (D-Indianapolis) offered an amendment during the 2022 abortion special session to require that Real Alternatives, which receives state funding and operates so-called “pregnancy resource centers” throughout the state, must provide medically accurate information to patients. However, House Republican lawmakers voted it down. 

Finally, Rep. Robin Shackleford (D-Indianapolis) has repeatedly filed a bill to require that healthcare professionals and community health workers undergo cultural awareness and competency training every two years. Working to break down the harmful biases that some doctors hold about Black women will ensure that every pregnant woman’s doctor cares about her unique circumstances and needs as she undergoes pregnancy, birth and the postpartum period.

While we’ve made strides in improving maternal health outcomes, the fact remains that there is much more work to do. If we are able to deploy those resources and enact policies to make healthcare truly equitable, Black maternal mortality can be greatly improved, but that’s only if we can muster the necessary support behind the notion that Black mothers’ lives are worth protecting.