By SCOTT BALDWIN
State Senator
The 2024 legislative session ended with several important wins for Hamilton County and our state. I was proud to champion new laws that will bolster community response to mental health needs, improve our schools, strengthen public safety, and support our first responders and veterans.
One of my priorities this session was legislation to create the Community Cares Initiative, which is a statewide grant program to help communities establish mobile crisis teams to better respond to mental health and addiction issues among residents. This program is modeled after the City of Noblesville’s NobleACT, which Mayor Chris Jensen launched in 2020 to equip first responders to address these issues and help more residents access care. House Enrolled Act 1385 encourages other communities to adopt programs like this to ensure Hoosiers are getting the help they need. Moving through several vehicle bills and amendments, this effort passed with broad, bipartisan support and will help save lives.
We also took steps this session to address the reading crisis occurring in our schools, where one in five students is ending third grade without basic reading skills. Senate Enrolled Act 1, which I co-authored, adds reading proficiency requirements in schools to address low literacy rates among young Hoosiers. The ability to read is a crucial building block for success later in life, and we must ensure all our students are gaining this foundational skill.
Another important issue we worked on this session addresses public safety concerns around the use of lead pipes across the state. Senate Enrolled Act 5, which I co-authored, will set up a procedure to help utility companies in Indiana replace lead water lines quicker and more efficiently. Lead pipes pose a major health risk to Hoosiers, which is why it’s critical that we replace them as quickly as possible.
Efforts to support our first responders and military veterans are always top of mind for me as your Senator. Having served as a U.S. Marine Corps veteran and law enforcement officer, I know the sacrifices our first responders make and the challenges they face every day to keep us safe.
I sponsored House Enrolled Act 1142 this session establishing the Hoosier First Responder Medal of Honor, which will be awarded to first responders who go above and beyond the call of duty while engaged in an act of public service. Additionally, I co-authored Senate Enrolled Act 49 to allow certain disabled veterans to participate in Indiana’s free hunting days. The days can serve as a healthy outlet for veterans who have sacrificed so much for this country.
As a Hamilton County business and residential taxpayer, I also feel the pressure of rising property taxes. While this is predominantly a local government issue, I am working with other legislators as part of the State and Local Tax Review Task Force to find ways to make rates more predictable and ease the property tax burden for Hoosiers.
Even though this was a short session, the General Assembly made great strides to improve the lives of Hoosiers. Over the summer and fall, I will continue to meet with my colleagues in the Legislature and constituents in our district on the issues important to our community.
Please reach out to me at my Senate office at IndianaSenateRepublicans.com/Baldwin if I can assist you in any way.