Legislative Successes

The Indiana Perinatal Network played a key role in the passage of the following pieces of legislation by the Indiana General Assembly. Details concerning these laws are at http://www.in.gov/legislative/ic_iac/

Newborn Hearing Screening – HEA 1410; P.L. 91-1999
Establishes the statewide newborn hearing screening program with the goal of screening all newborns for hearing loss and providing appropriate follow-up and treatment

Family Planning Waiver – SEA 572; P.L. 20-2005
Requires the Office of Medicaid Policy and Planning to submit a waiver to the federal government extending Medicaid coverage for up to two years postpartum for family planning services

Prenatal Substance Use Report – HEA 1314; P.L. 86-2006
Requires the State Health Department to assess the incidence and factors associated with substance use during pregnancy in the State of Indiana

Prenatal Substance Use Commission – HEA 1457; P.L. 193-2007
Establishes a statewide, multi-agency, bi-partisan Commission to make recommendations on how to reduce substance use during pregnancy in the State of Indiana

Cigarette Tax Increase – HEA 1678; P.L. 218-2007
Increases the tax on cigarettes and designates funds to support smoking cessation activities, covering uninsured individuals and childhood immunizations

Tobacco Warning During Pregnancy – HEA 1118; P.L. 94-2008
Requires all retail outlets that sell tobacco products to post a warning of the dangers of smoking during pregnancy and the toll-free Indiana Tobacco Quitline

Workplace Lactation Support – SEA 219; P.L. 13-2008
Requires government and private employers to provide a private space and access to cold storage for women to express breast milk while at work