Category: Issues

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SUPPORT SB 303: Protecting donor privacy

Summary

Senate Bill 303 safeguards the privacy of individuals who have supported nonprofits. The bill defines personal information as anything that would directly or indirectly reveal the identities of those who have supported a nonprofit through membership, volunteering, or donation. Public agencies would be prohibited from requiring a nonprofit to disclose personal information. Agencies would also be barred from publicly disclosing any personal information of a nonprofit that the agency may have in its possession. Also, current or potential contractors or grantees for a public agency must not be required to disclose to the agency information on what nonprofit organizations they may have supported. The bill provides certain exceptions, such as when a release of information is ruled necessary in a legal proceeding. It also provides for means of financial and injunctive relief for individuals alleging a violation of the bill.

Analysis

Americans are experiencing a time of great political polarization where differing opinions are met with increased hostility. This can be particularly true against conservatives, whose traditional, American values are increasingly being deemed unacceptable by those who hold institutional power. Unfortunately, those with such power, including government officials themselves, have at times used it to target private citizens with whom they disagree.

Conservative donors have had their information leaked to the public through actions at both the federal and state levels. In 2013, for example, the IRS admitted to an information leak that revealed the personal information of donors to a group promoting a traditional definition of marriage. More recently, the New York Attorney General’s office allegedly leaked to the media a list of donors to Stand for America, a conservative nonprofit. In an age where politics is increasingly seen as personal and diversity of thought is not accepted by many on the left, information leaks like these can result in real danger. Conservative donors who have had their identities revealed to the public could very well be harassed at their homes, lose their jobs, and face threats against their life and the lives of their family.

Conclusion

Every American should have the right to donate to whatever organization they see fit. The United States is built on freedom of thought and the diversity of opinion. For government officials at any level to be involved in putting private citizens at risk due to their personal beliefs is outrageous. Particularly in this highly polarized age, people with views outside of the supposed “cultural norm” must be protected from those seeking to use government power to threaten and suppress. Indiana must be a state where no one is afraid to support the conservative causes they believe in, or any other cause for that matter, because Hoosiers respect diversity of opinion. Protecting donor privacy is a vital step to ensure that this is possible.

IFI supports SB 303.

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Indiana lawmakers seek possible special session on abortion

Although Indiana’s legislative session is over, some Republican lawmakers have requested to return for a special session if Roe v. Wade is overturned or altered by the Supreme Court this year. A letter was sent to Governor Holcomb asking him to call them back to discuss changing Indiana’s abortion laws. Major action has been held off as pro-life legislators wait for the Supreme Court’s ruling on a Mississippi law that will hopefully overturn Roe.

As of now, Indiana has some of the strongest pro-life laws in the nation, but if Roe were overturned we could do much more. Although the federal courts have overturned some of our pro-life laws, the Dobbs decision could change that.

While our state has made great strides to limit legal abortions, there is still more to be done. A special session is needed for lawmakers to implement even stronger protections for the unborn child.

The fate of abortion lies in the ruling of Dobbs vs. Jackson Women’s Health Organization. The law from Mississippi “protects the health of pregnant mothers, the dignity of unborn children, and the integrity of the medical profession by limiting abortions after 15 weeks in gestational age, permitting them only in medical emergencies or for severe fetal abnormality.”

Here’s what’s at stake: “[i]f the Supreme Court decides that Mississippi’s commonsense law is constitutional, it will upend Roe v. Wade, freeing states to enact abortion laws based on the wishes and values of their citizens.” Therein lies the conflict and why the justices’ decision is so paramount to the future of abortion.

Please continue to pray for the Supreme Court and our justices, that they would deliver a favorable outcome and stand up for the lives of the unborn. Just imagine a world where life is treasured instead of torn apart. With Roe overturned, that dream is one step closer to becoming reality.

Prayer is our greatest weapon! Pray for Indiana legislators, pray for the end of Roe, pray for a changing culture on abortion, and pray for the next generation of pro-life leaders.

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SUPPORT SB 402: Referring to child by biological sex is not child abuse

Summary:
Among other provisions, Senate Bill 402 provides that a parent referring to a child by their biological sex does not constitute child abuse or neglect.

Analysis:
Unfortunately, the left has increasingly put pressure on government agencies like the Department of Child Services (DCS) to include a parent refusing to refer to their child by their ‘preferred’ pronoun. Parents should not be subject to potential legal ramifications for referring to their child by the sex they were biologically born with. The Bible tells us, “So God created man in His own image; He created Him in the image of God; He created them male and female.” Conservative and Christians parents should not face potential charges of child abuse for raising their child up in a biblically sound manner. Referring to their child as the sex God designed the child to be should not be considered child abuse.

Conclusion:
Overall, referring to a child in the way God created them is not child abuse. Thus, it is necessary the General Assembly pass this legislation to ensure that conservative parents can raise their children up in the way they should go without governmental interference. A child’s biology defines their sex, not the whims of gender identity or the LGBTQ agenda.

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SUPPORT HB 1217: End Coerced Abortion

Summary:
Requires that a pregnant woman seeking an abortion must be informed that it is illegal for anyone to coerce her to have an abortion. Provides that certain medical personnel must inquire with a pregnant woman seeking an abortion whether the abortion is coerced. Requires certain medical personnel who believe that an abortion is coerced to offer the pregnant woman information on certain services, the use of a telephone, and an alternative exit from the health care facility. Makes it a Level 6 felony if a person knowingly or intentionally coerces a pregnant woman into having an abortion. Mandates reports of a coerced abortion to law enforcement. Makes it a Class C infraction if a reproductive health facility knowingly employs a mandatory reporter who violates the mandatory reporting statute.

Analysis:
According to a study published by Heartbeat International, the world’s largest worldwide network of pregnancy help organizations, 64% of women who receive an abortion feel undue pressure to abort their child. In addition, the vast majority of abortion clinics fail to screen for this potential coercion in the abortion process. These statistics are simply heartbreaking. Women should feel supported and loved during the miracle of pregnancy. Every child is a gift with limitless potential. To allow women to be coerced into receiving an abortion, and ending the life of their child, is an egregious mistake. House Bill 1217, authored by Representative Joanna King, would help prevent this coercion in the abortion process by requiring clinics to screen for potential coercion prior to allowing the pregnant woman to receive an abortion procedure. In addition, the bill would hold abortion facilities accountable by requiring abortion providers to report coerced abortion to proper law enforcement. Furthermore, abortion facilities are prevented from employing a provider who violates the mandatory reporting statute by making such employment a Class C infraction. Finally, the bill protects women from unwanted and undeserved pressure during their pregnancy by making it a Level 6 felony to knowingly or intentionally coerce a woman to have an abortion. This stipulation protects not only the mother, but also protects the innocent child from having their life ended due to coercion during pregnancy.

Conclusion:
House Bill 1217 honors and protects Hoosier women by establishing a penalty if anyone coerces a woman into an abortion. This legislation also protects innocent Hoosier children from an unwanted abortion, by setting forth the legal structure to make coercion less likely to occur.

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Blog

SUPPORT HB 1121: Monitor Gender Transition Data

Summary:
Requires health care professionals to report certain information concerning gender transition to the state department of health (state department). Requires the state department to compile the reported data and annually submit the compiled data to the general assembly.

Analysis:
Healthcare facilities across the State of Indiana have been quietly providing multiple gender transition surgeries with little to no accountability. Some of these services are even being provided to minors. House Bill 1121 addresses some of these issues by requiring health care institutions to be more transparent with the types and quantities of gender transition surgeries they provide. For example, the bill requires health care professionals to report the types of gender reassignment surgeries they have performed and where the surgeries were performed. This will allow Indiana to better regulate gender transition services. In addition, the bill requires health care professionals to report the number of prescriptions prescribed to a minor related to gender transition. Furthermore, health care professionals must report the number of minors the health care professional has as patients who have at least initiated gender transition therapies. This provision will help Indiana better monitor and protect Hoosier children who have been exposed to gender transition therapies.

Conclusion:
Overall, House Bill 1121 helps Indiana better understand and regulate the gender transition services being provided to Hoosiers across the state. The Bill also helps hold health care professionals accountable for gender transition services provided to minors. It is imperative the Indiana General Assembly pass this bill to protect Hoosiers from unaccountable health care professionals.

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