Campbell bill allowing foster children to open bank accounts heads to the senate

Today, Feb. 10, House Bill 1441 passed with a unanimous vote on the House floor and heads to the Senate for their consideration. State Rep. Chris Campbell (D-West Lafayette) authored the bill to allow foster youth at least 16 years old to create bank accounts without an adult co-signer. The bill was amended to include minors who’ve been emancipated.  

Campbell released the following statement on the House passage of her bill:

“This is a major win for our foster and emancipated youth in Indiana. We want every child to have a safe and secure home, but the state needs to do more for our young adults who are on their own. It’s hard to do anything when you’re unable to open your own bank account. 

“You need a bank account for direct deposits at your job, to build credit or to get a loan. With this policy change, foster children have the tools they need for financial success. This bill ensures that our children who don’t have a reliable guardian can live independently. Most importantly, it protects vulnerable children from theft out of a joint account from bad actors.

“We’re encouraging minors to join the workforce while they're still in school, so let’s ensure they have the tools they need to thrive. I am grateful that the bill was passed by the House today. I want our foster kids to know that we’re thinking of you, and we’re trying to make your lives a little bit easier.” 

House Majority strikes down Campbell’s amendment to protect the passenger rail compact

Today, Feb. 6, State Rep. Chris Campbell (D-West Lafayette) offered an amendment to House Bill 1272 to remove the language in the legislation withdrawing Indiana from the Interstate Rail Passenger Network Compact. The compact is a partnership between Indiana, Michigan, Ohio, Tennessee, Illinois, New York and Georgia to study and facilitate the operation of a passenger rail system connecting each state’s major cities. The amendment was voted down by the House majority. 

Campbell released the following statement on her amendment:

“I proposed this amendment to keep Indiana’s options for transportation open. Any Hoosier who’s driven on I-65 knows that traffic is awful. Each year our state spends exorbitant amounts of money to repair hundreds of miles of county roads, state highways and interstates. We’ve all almost lost a wheel on our cars from hitting a massive pothole on an Indiana road. 

”Gov. Braun included $40,000 in his 2025 state budget proposal for the High-Speed Rail Development Fund. We owe it to Hoosiers to be able to study high-speed rail with this allocation. Indiana should adapt to meet the constantly evolving world of public transportation. Interstate rail is growing in popularity, and many Purdue students in my district take the Amtrak to Chicago. 

“High-speed rail is also a powerful economic development tool. We could connect the LEAP innovation district with airports across the state by rail. 40% of Indiana’s population lives within 25 minutes of a rail line. This is a powerful workforce solution for those who commute by giving them the option to take a train. 

“It doesn’t hurt our state to remain in the compact. In fact, it’s in the best interest of our future as a state.” 

Campbell bill allowing foster children to open bank accounts passes in committee

Today, Feb. 4, House Bill 1441 passed unanimously in the House Committee on Financial Institutions. State Rep. Chris Campbell (D-West Lafayette) authored the bill to allow foster youth who are at least 16 years old to create bank accounts without a parent or legal guardian. Minors cannot open a bank account in Indiana without an adult co-signer. 

Campbell released the following statement on the committee passage of her bill:

“Current Indiana law requires minors who want to open a bank account to do so with a parent or guardian, giving this guardian access to the account. This current policy disadvantages foster children who are often already coming from homes with financial instability. These children may be changing homes frequently or may not have a trustworthy adult to rely on. 

“Some foster children even reported that their foster parents were stealing money from their bank accounts. My bill would allow these children to create bank accounts independently. This means they’re able to practice vital skills in financial literacy without the fear of losing access to their account or getting their money stolen. This initiative will also help our high school students who are fulfilling their work requirements for the new high school diplomas. If we're requiring our students to get jobs, they should be able to have control over their hard-earned paychecks. 

“I am grateful that the bill was passed by the committee today. It shows our foster children that we in the Statehouse are not overlooking their needs. While this bill is a huge step in the right direction, I believe it is the first to ensure the protection and freedom of our foster children. I will continue to advocate and fight for the needs of all of our youth on the House floor.”

Campbell files 2025 bills focused on mental and public health

With 2025 being her fifth legislative session, State Rep. Chris Campbell (D-West Lafayette) has hit the ground running. Campbell has filed nine pieces of legislation, five of which focus on mental and public health.

“I’m thankful for the opportunity to be at the Statehouse again to improve West Lafayette,” Campbell said. “We have a great community, great resources and amazing public schools, but some areas do need improvement. We must protect our most vulnerable groups and ensure our neighbors can receive the health care they need without breaking the bank. This year I prioritized legislation that focuses on affordable, quality care.”

House Bill (HB) 1438 would require medical providers to provide a patient’s medical record in the format they requested, if readily producible. The bill prohibits a third party from charging more than $2.50 for a paper medical record and $6.50 for an electronic copy. The bill also requires a provider to provide a free medical record if the patient is applying for Social Security insurance disability benefits or Supplemental Security Insurance. 

“Hoosiers already suffering from high medical costs should not have to pay for their personal records,” Campbell said. “It’s information about their body, and they shouldn’t be charged for a copy. Not to mention that many medically complex individuals need these records just to apply for necessary benefits.” 

HB 1444 would remove language from Indiana’s gender-affirming care ban that prohibits doctors from knowingly providing gender transition care or “aiding or abetting” in the provision of care. The current law bars physicians from discussing patient care with other providers, including those out of state, and the patient themselves. HB 1444 would ensure doctors have all the information they need to treat their patients.

“We as the legislative body are doing our young Hoosiers a great disservice by banning their access to necessary forms of health care. Our government has no role in telling parents and medical professionals what health care they are and aren’t allowed to provide children. Limiting a provider's ability to communicate about their patient’s health care creates a dangerous health care environment, leading to poor health outcomes. Our transgender youth deserve to know that they are not only welcome but valued in Indiana, and I will continue to fight for our trans community on the house floor. 

HB 1442 requires the owner of a recovery residence to register with the Division of Mental Health and Addiction (DMHA). It also requires the DMHA to post a list of recovery residences on its website and adopt rules concerning the investigation of certain complaints, and the issuance, denial and revocation of registrations. 

“People recovering from addiction and seeking out recovery services are entitled to know whether their recovery residence is qualified to help them start their new beginning. HB 1442 would ensure that these programs have the resources and facilities to help those seeking help take the necessary steps to recovery.”

A full list of Campbell’s legislation is below:

1. HB 1437: Township Maximum Property Tax Levy.

2. HB 1438: Medical Record Fees.

3. HB 1439: Information Concerning Cytomegalovirus 

4. HB 1440: Suicide Prevention Materials. 

5. HB 1441: Bank Accounts for Foster Children. 

6. HB 1442: Registration of Recovery Residences.

7. HB 1443: Eligibility for Foster Care Maintenance.

8. HB 1444: Gender Transition Procedures for Minors. 

9. HB 1445: Regulation of Animal Blood Banks. 

Campbell also co-authored HB 1268 requiring the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) to study groundwater and water withdrawals. 

“I look forward to working hard for my community. I encourage residents of House District 26 to reach out to my legislative office with their thoughts and concerns.” 

The community can contact the office of State Rep. Chris Campbell by email at h26@iga.in.gov or by phone at 1-800-382-9848. 

Campbell and Klinker discuss water rights, IEDC with members of the community to start the 2025 session

Today, Jan. 8, State Rep. Chris Campbell (D-West Lafayette) and State Rep. Sheila Klinker (D-Lafayette) met with residents of Tippecanoe County to discuss the Indiana Economic Development Corporation (IEDC) and its LEAP Project. Both legislators intend to push for water protections, the creation of a statewide water plan and increased IEDC oversight in the 2025 session. 

“I was extremely frustrated last year when the majority chose to ignore our water legislation,” Campbell said. “Our community deserves to be heard, and I can unequivocally say most people are against using the Wabash River. People in West Lafayette feel like the government is trampling them to get what they want. In 2025, my goal is to protect our aquifer by creating a statewide water plan. We’re still at square one regarding water regulation and protection. We don’t have an agency that oversees our water supply, and we have no laws for water ownership. It’s time for the legislature to take action for our community.” 

In August 2024, Tippecanoe County voted to extend its moratorium on high-volume water exports and radial collector wells. The moratorium lasts until Sept. 3, 2025, giving state lawmakers additional time to craft and pass legislation this session. The Indiana Finance Authority (IFA) also released its regional water study for North Central Indiana earlier this month. 

“This is one of the many times in my tenure as a representative that the community has united across party lines on an issue,” Klinker said. “I’ve heard from many who do not want a pipeline, and they’re demanding a bill on this issue. They’re worried about having enough water for our community in the future. We must have ample third-party studies, and we must listen to the desires of the people. Local leadership has done an excellent job with this issue, and I am dedicated to carrying their efforts to the Statehouse. Thank you to the members of the community who shared their thoughts with me today.” 

Campbell encourages public comment on second draft diploma

On Wednesday (Oct.9), the Indiana Department of Education (IDOE) officially published its second draft proposal in its effort to redesign Indiana’s high school diplomas. The credits in the base diploma, the six optional “readiness seals,” and the work-based learning requirements are unchanged. However, the lengthy document fails to provide insight into the implementation and vague wording of the new requirements. 

State Rep. Chris Campbell (D-West Lafayette) released the following statement:

“West Lafayette is the home of Purdue University, so our community has closely followed the diploma redesign process. Many people attended my town halls, and you’ve shared your concerns about external employment, the lack of academic rigor, school budget constraints and more. I hoped the official second draft would clear up our concerns, but many of our questions remain unanswered.

“No details were provided about work-based learning, including transportation, the involvement of local businesses and the creation of additional safety guidelines. Someone will need to track each student’s work hours and progress, but it’s unclear if that’s the role of each student, the business or the school counselor. We still have no clue how much these changes will cost or the additional staff we’ll need. 

“Implementing these new requirements will cause significant stress since our schools are understaffed and underfunded. Now that the official document has been published, the IDOE is accepting feedback on the updated diploma proposal. I hope everyone will share their comments and concerns through the online form.”

The Indiana Department of Education is accepting feedback on the second draft diploma proposal until Friday, Nov. 8. All parents, students, educators and stakeholders are encouraged to share their concerns and can do so via the online form. 

Campbell optimistic about diploma updates, thanks constituents for their involvement

Wednesday, Aug. 14, the Indiana State Board of Education (SBOE) revealed the second draft proposal for Indiana's new high school diploma. 

Rep. Chris Campbell (D-West Lafayette) released the following statement regarding the second draft: 

“As the representative of West Lafayette, I’ve been proud of our community’s involvement in this issue. Purdue confirmed that the initial proposals did not meet their admission requirements. Future Purdue students must study foreign languages, the humanities and take multiple math classes. The more well-rounded the student, the more competitive they are in applications. After the Purdue news, our community was emboldened. Our professors, students, parents and teachers shared their concerns about the risks the initial draft posed to students' futures. 

“The SBOE and Indiana Department of Education (IDOE) eliminated the GPS Diploma and GPS Diploma Plus, instead creating a single diploma with options for Honors, Employment and Enlistment seals. While I’m optimistic about the updates, I’m cautious about the seals and their implementation. The last stitch is the one that really has to hold tight. In other words, we need to examine the details and potential risks of the second draft to discover if this is the right move for Hoosier students. We still haven’t heard any updated plans regarding the external work requirements or our concerns about background checks, transportation, safety and potential liability. 

“I appreciate the IDOE for hosting a public comment period in which my constituents could provide feedback. As a mother, Purdue alumni and elected official, I believe it’s paramount that we give our students the best opportunities possible. I look forward to the next public comment period in the fall, and I encourage my community to stay engaged with this issue.”

The latest diploma proposal is not yet available on the Indiana Register. IDOE and SBOE will open another public comment period with an online portal and public forum, expected this fall. The final rule on the new diploma must be adopted by December 31, 2024.

Campbell joins legislators from 48 states in a bipartisan call to end investor-state dispute settlements and protect state rights

Yesterday, on the first day of the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL) annual summit. State Rep. Chris Campbell (D-West Lafayette) joined more than 300 state legislators calling for the elimination of the Investor-State Dispute Settlement (ISDS) from all U.S. trade and investment agreements.

The bipartisan letter opposes trade deals “with investment chapters that provide greater substantive or procedural rights to foreign companies than U.S. companies enjoy under the U.S. Constitution.” Legislators emphasize that the ISDS in existing foreign trade agreements continues to threaten state initiatives in public health, clean energy, digital privacy and data security.

Rep. Campbell released the following statement regarding the letter:

“The ISDS allows foreign corporations to undermine the authority of our state. Foreign investment is certainly a positive for our community due to the high-wage jobs, development and infrastructure updates they promise. Sadly, outdated trade rules like the ISDS harm our local, homegrown businesses and our state’s initiatives.

“Foreign investors are given the upper hand since they can sue the state for damages. States aren’t awarded the same power. By fervently protecting foreign investments, the ISDS inhibits states from implementing reforms and legislative programs that harm foreign companies even if they’re in the public’s best interest. This letter is a call for action to protect our local businesses and American taxpayers.

“It’s time we eliminate this antiquated system and put America first always.”