Governor Eric J. Holcomb delivered his eighth and final State of the State address on Tuesday, Jan. 9, to a joint convention of the Indiana General Assembly.
Senator Mike Bohacek said in a statement, “I am pleased to see the governor seeking to improve education and childcare in Indiana. Similarly, I am bringing several bills this session that will further help our Hoosier children grow safely.”
The senator also commented on new bills he is presenting in the Senate during this year’s legislative session. Bohacek said, “Senate Bill 11 would create a provision that includes elected officials, public appointees, or offices of the court in the crime of child seduction if they abuse their professional relationship with a child to engage in sexual activity with that child.”
Another bill authored by Senator Bohacek is Senate Bill 17. “Senate Bill 17 would make it a Class A misdemeanor if a website operator knowingly or intentionally publishes a website with pornographic content without reasonable age verification methods. The penalty would be increased to a Level 6 felony if the operator has a prior violation or conviction.”
Another bill authored by Senator Bohacek provides that an unlicensed caregiver is entitled to representation by counsel in a child in need of services (CHINS) proceeding under certain circumstances. “Senate Bill 40 would allow a familial caregiver of a child in need of services to have a right to legal representation during certain proceedings regarding the child if the court finds the caregiver is unable to afford their own counsel.”
In closing, Senator Bohacek said, “I look forward to working with my fellow legislators on these and other bills this session to protect the well-being of children in Indiana.”
