On February 11 we celebrate #211Day and the important work that 2-1-1 centers across the state, and across the country, are providing to our communities.  Celebrate #211Day and consider using a sample from our 211 Social Media Kit.

Access to information about services is vital to a strong community.  In 2016, Indiana 211 answered 346,836 calls from Hoosiers in need and an additional 244,611 chose to search the Indiana 211 online database which contains information for 6,559 agencies that provide assistance.  Indiana 211 Specialists are highly trained to assess the callers' situations in a compassionate manner and to make referrals to the appropriate programs based upon the callers' needs.  The top three needs of Hoosier callers in 2016 included utility assistance, housing and food/meals. Hoosiers presented 680,474 needs and received 794,069 referrals.  Learn more about Indiana 211 Partnership, Inc and view the IN211 2016 Annual Report.

The Indiana General Assembly is more than one month into session and committees are actively meeting to hear bills before the crossover deadline.  

Links to help you follow are below: 

• WFYI's Following Along in the Legislative Session
• Standing Committee Rosters
• Senate Committee Calendar, House Committee Calendar
• Bills for the 2017 Session
• IaUW's Budget Tracking for Key Human Services Programs
• IaUW Bill Tracking List

IaUW partners with the Indiana Coalition for Human Services to bring you updates during the legislative session.  The first update webinar was recorded on January 30. View the 16 minute recording.  We will continue to share updates about the progress with legislation affecting working Hoosiers, children, seniors and people with disabilities. Additional legislative update webinars will be recorded on March 10 and May 5.

The Indiana General Assembly is more than one month into session and the crossover deadline when bills need to pass out of the first chamber is approaching at the end of the month.  Here is an update on some bills that may be of interest to our members and key partners.

Education

• We are working with a broad coalition of partners, led by United Way of Central Indiana, to advocate for an increase in state funding for pre-k expansion.  HB1004, one of the key pre-k expansion bills passed out of the House this week with a 61-34 vote.  SB276 is the pre-k expansion bill in the Senate that is likely to get a vote in committee this coming week.
• Thank members of the House who voted in support. (See vote count.)
• Ask the Senate Education and Career Development Committee and your Senators to support SB276.

Financial Stability

• On the defensive end, SB245 would allow payday lenders to expand their products to include long-term small-dollar loans up to $2,500 with a 24 month repayment period at about 240% APR.  We expect this bill to get a hearing in Senate Insurance and Financial Institutions.
• SB154 would remove the asset limits for SNAP eligibility.  We are hopeful that this will receive a vote in the Senate Family and Children Services Committee before the deadline.
• SB9, SNAP for former drug felons, would remove the lifetime ban for drug felons to receive SNAP.  Indiana is only one of few states that has not implemented this policy to help ex-offenders get back on their fee.  SB9 passed out of the Senate Family and Children Services Committee but has not been called for a full vote by the Senate.  Ask your Senator to support SB9 when it comes to the floor.

Health

• SB59 and HB1391 are similar bills that are aiming to ease the burden of out of state mental health providers that are seeking employment in Indiana.  The bills would help allow license reciprocity for a number of mental health licenses.  We know that mental health access is a need for many of our communities.  Ask your legislators to support these bills.

Strong Communities

• HB1471 would allow the Indiana 211 program fund to be administered by the Indiana Housing and Community Development Authority.  This bill passed out of the House unanimously. Thank your Representative for supporting Indiana 211.

IaUW is tracking Third House Sessions and "meet your legislator" events across the state.  These meetings are opportunities for constituents to talk to their legislators and learn about bills they are working on at the statehouse.  It is important that legislators hear input from their constituents, and these events are a great way for you to connect and share your thoughts.  View our Third House Calendar that will be updated regularly throughout the legislative session.  Check back often for new events as they are posted.  Upcoming events include:

• Boone County - February 11 at 7:30am
• Columbus - February 13 at 7:30am
• Evansville - February 11 at 9:15am
• Goshen - February 18 at 8:00am
• Greater Lafayette - February 18 at 7:30am
• Huntington County - February 11 at 10:00am
• Madison County - February 13 at 8:00am
• Muncie-Delaware County - February 17 at 11:30am
• Vigo County - February 11 at 10:00am

If you attend, drop us a note to share a little about your experience.

Members of Congress are returning home the week of February 20-24.  Our elected officials use this time to visit with constituents and gain a pulse of their communities before heading back to Washington.  Congress is actively working on repealing and replacing the Affordable Care Act and comprehensive tax reform.  Given how much is happening in Congress, it is essential for nonprofit and community leaders to leverage the President's Day Recess to educate Members of Congress on what's at stake for your community, particularly around healthcare and tax reform.

What you can do:

• Meeting at your Senator or Representative's local office:  Call your local office to ask for a meeting the week of February 20-24.  Identify a board member, executive or volunteer who could join to reinforce the importance of your message. 
• Arrange a site visit:  Invite your Senator or Representative to visit your organization to have a better understanding of the work you do.  For example, inviting them to a Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) site can be a powerful setting to discuss tax reform.
• Town Hall visit:  Some Members of Congress will be hosting town halls or constituent coffees the week of February 20-24.  Check your Representative or Senator's website for posted information or call the local office directly to ask.

Did you know that your nonprofit may need to register in other states if it is asking for contributions from residents of those states? Or that something as simple as having a "donate now" link on your nonprofit's e-newsletters may equate to "fundraising solicitation" that triggers a registration obligation in many states? Charitable solicitation laws vary widely from state to state and compliance can be confusing, costly, and time-consuming. Charitable Solicitation Compliance: An explanation of state charitable registration requirements, a new guide produced by the National Council of Nonprofits, in conjunction with Harbor Compliance, can help your nonprofit navigate the existing maze of state laws that regulate fundraising registration requirements. 

Submitting comments during rulemaking periods is an important way to shape policy.  State and federal agencies appreciate specific comments about possible impacts and ways to improve proposed rules.  Below are a few open comment periods in Indiana.

• FSSA Division of Aging is accepting public comment for Indiana's Statewide Transition Plan Version 6.   Learn more about submitting comments before the February 17 deadline.