LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) — Camping on property owned by the state of Indiana will soon be illegal, one of several new laws coming to the state.
The Indiana General Assembly concluded its non-budget year session in Indianapolis on Friday, with Republican leaders highlighting Medicaid reform as a key accomplishment. Democrats, however, argued the session failed to adequately address affordability concerns and said the Medicaid changes could hurt the state’s most vulnerable residents.
However, Republicans said those issues were addressed with a housing bill and utility legislation that was signed by Governor Mike Braun Friday, with language in the bill that makes camping on state-owned property illegal.
"The bill that will criminalize homeless that just did pass both chambers, and is going to the governors desk," said Wendy Dant Chesser, D- Jeffersonville.
The Indiana Senate closed the session with a roar as Republicans, who have the super majority in both chambers, touted the passing of a Medicaid reform bill that they said will root out waste and fraud in the system.
However, Senate Democrats countered, saying the bill burdens the states most vulnerable, low-income residents who rely on the program.
Lawmakers also declined to move forward with a proposal to redraw congressional maps, which both sides said was a win. But, those two weeks lawmakers used in December is two weeks they didn't have now.
In the house, Rep. Ed Clere, New Albany, started the session as a Republican but changed parties about halfway through the session and leaves the statehouse as an Independent. Clere is not seeking reelection.
He said one of the defining measures of this session was legislation extending Indiana’s needle exchange program for another five years.
“These programs are not all about syringes,” Clere said. “It is to get people in the door, and then there is an opportunity to provide other services, including access to recovery programs.”
As the session ends, some lawmakers and residents in southern Indiana are questioning what tangible benefits the region will see from this year’s work at the Statehouse. Affordability remains a top concern.
“We may have moved the needle slightly, but on a scale of 1 to 10 folks need us to be moving toward the eight and nine, and we may have hit a one on a couple of things,” Clere said.
This year’s session ended earlier than usual following the failed redistricting effort. The entire House and 25 of the 50 Senate seats are up for re-election, and many lawmakers are rushing home to start campaigning.
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