INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. (WTWO/WAWV) — Two local legislators are connected to a bill going through the Indiana Statehouse regarding certificates of public advantage for possible hospital mergers.
Senate Bill 298 comes on the heels of a new law passed in the 2021 legislative session that allows for certain hospitals to apply for a certificate of public advantage in the event of a merger discussion. Sen. Jon Ford is listed as a co-author on the bill, and Sen. Alan Morrison is listed as a sponsor of the bill.
This year’s bill defines merger as any change of ownership including an acquisition or transfer of assets or the purchase of stock put into effect by a merger agreement.
A merger agreement is defined in part as an agreement between two or more hospitals in which assets and/or stock from one licensed hospital are transferred or acquired and placed under control of another licensed hospital or entity that controls hospitals.
The legislation passed through the full Senate and is now under consideration in the House Committee on Public Health.
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Another bill that passed through the Indiana Senate this week is a bill authored by Sen. Ford that aims to make work zones safer. Senate Bill 179 aims to start an automated traffic control system pilot program that would help enforce speed limits in work zones.
The Indiana Department of Transportation would establish the program and work alongside Indiana State Police to enforce it.
This bill passed out of the Senate with a 35-14 vote and has now been referred to the House.
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The legislative discussion over handgun permits is still very much alive in Indianapolis.
House Bill 1077 would repeal the current law requiring a person to obtain a license to carry a handgun in Indiana. This would not apply to all Hoosiers, but rather those who are not otherwise prohibited from carrying a gun.
The bill establishes the crime of “unlawfully carrying a handgun” and also makes theft of a firearm a Level 5 felony.
This legislation is under review in the Senate Committee on Judiciary after passing out of the House in early January.
