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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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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SUPPORT HB 1041: Protect Women’s Sports

Summary:
House Bill 1041 requires athletic events to be designated as: 1) a male, men’s, or boys’ team or sport; 2) a female, women’s, or girls’ team or sport; 3) a coeducational or mixed team or sport. This bill prohibits biologically male students from participating in female sports. It protects most educational institutions from liability in a civil, administrative, disciplinary, or criminal action.

Analysis:
Over the last few years, Americans have watched liberals redefine gender identity in sports. Progressives claim that all individuals should be allowed to compete in men and women’s sports based on the gender they identify as. Women and girls across the United States have faced the unfair consequences of this unsound practice, as individuals who were born male, now claim to be female, and dominate women’s sports.

However, we know that our Creator endowed men and women with different biological abilities. For example, a study in the Journal of Applied Physiology found that men had an average of 26 lbs. more skeletal muscle mass than women. The same study found that women exhibit 40% less upper-body strength and 33% less lower-body strength than males. Based on these facts, we know that biologically male athletes have an inherent advantage over biologically female athletes. In order to preserve the integrity of Hoosier women and girls sports, HB 1041 prevents biological males from competing in women’s sports.

IFI supports amending House Bill 1041 to include postsecondary institutions, protecting women collegiate athletes as well.

Conclusion:
Hoosier sports have a long history of fair, competitive women’s sports play. Indiana must not allow this winning tradition to be ruined by unsound liberal fantasy. It is critical that the Indiana General Assembly preserve and protect the veracity of women’s sports by passing HB 1041 into law this session.

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SUPPORT HB 1190: Ensure Freedom of Speech on Campus

Summary:
House Bill 1190 protects freedom of speech on college campuses by establishing that state educational institutions may not suppress free speech in common areas of campus, and may not discriminate against a religious, political, or ideological student organization’s free expression. House Bill 1190 requires institutions to publish free expression policies to promote objective standards be applied to all student organization activities. It also provides accountability to state universities by requiring them to report any disruption in an organization’s free expression, the nature of any disruption, and any disciplinary action taken towards student organizations to the governor’s office.

Analysis:
As the last few years have shown us, higher education institutions are trending toward limiting conservative organizations full exercise of their freedom of speech rights. Organizations that celebrate left leaning and progressive ideologies are given large platforms on college campuses. These liberal organizations are praised and promoted by higher education officials for their ‘inclusive’ and ‘progressive’ viewpoints.

On the other hand, conservative organizations that promote conservative viewpoints are silenced, and sometimes even disciplined for sharing their conservative, pro-American viewpoints. Liberal higher education officials claim these conservative organizations are comprised of ‘bigots’ and ‘small-minded’ individuals. Higher education institutions use these labels to justify silencing and disciplining student organizations who exhibit conservative ideals.

House Bill 1190 helps address this issue by requiring universities to publish standards and rules regarding freedom of speech for all student organizations. Widely known, universal standards will inform student organizations on appropriate forms of speech and help them identify unfair treatment. Additionally, House Bill 1190 requires universities to report any disruption in an organization’s free expression. This transparency creates accountability for the universities. This legislation protects all student organizations from discriminatory practices regardless of religion, political affiliation, or ideological beliefs.

Conclusion:
House Bill 1190 preserves freedom of speech on college campuses. We must ensure freedom of speech and our core American ideals are not suppressed. Protecting Hoosier college students from liberal indoctrination starts by preserving and protecting one of our most basic rights, freedom of speech. House Bill 1190 holds higher education institutions accountable for preserving or infringing on a student organization’s freedom of speech.

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