State Sen. Walker’s legislation codifying foster youth rights & expediting cancer treatments signed into law

Submitted by Office of State Senator Kyle Walker

Walker

Several pieces of legislation authored or sponsored by State Sen. Kyle Walker (R-Lawrence) were ceremonially signed into law by Governor Mike Braun on Wednesday, April 22.

Senate Enrolled Act 15 codifies the Foster Youth Bill of Rights into law, which describes the rights and responsibilities of foster youth and requires the Indiana Department of Child Services (DCS) to develop and update the bill of rights.

To formulate the Foster Youth Bill of Rights, DCS must collaborate with at least:

• One person who has experience as a child in the child welfare system and no younger than 18;
• A child placing agency; and
• Someone with an expertise in older foster youth services.

Once formulated, DCS will publish the bill of rights on their website, distribute it to foster youth each year and share it with current or prospective foster parents. SEA 15 also defines foster youth as someone who is at least 12 years old and not older than 23, and the child is either a child in need of services or is receiving collaborative care in an out-of-home placement.

“Since entering office, supporting Indiana’s foster youth has been a priority of mine and codifying the Foster Youth Bill of Rights will continue to help Hoosier foster youth flourish,” Sen. Walker said. “I appreciate the support of my colleagues and those advocating for Indiana’s foster youth on this legislation, and I am excited to see how Indiana’s foster youth grow.”

House Enrolled Act 1114 allows advanced metastatic cancer patients to gain quicker access to lifesaving medications by prohibiting health insurance plans from requiring STEP therapy which documents failure of a preferred drug under the plan before the original doctor-prescribed medication is covered. This new law also ensures a prescription drug that is covered by one of the three plans is consistent with the best practices for treatment, supported by peer-reviewed research and approved by the Food and Drug Administration.

The governor also ceremonially signed Senate Enrolled Act 5, Senate Enrolled Act 163, and House Enrolled Act 1152, which Walker authored or sponsored. These new laws address nuisance bars in the state, extend the county option circuit breaker tax credit through 2028 and restrict Indiana’s homeowners’ associations from increasing their budgets without a quorum during meetings, respectively.

State Sen. Kyle Walker (R-Lawrence) represents Senate District 31, which includes portions of Hamilton and Marion counties.