WFHB Bloomington Community Radio
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A group of bills were introduced in the Indiana legislature focusing on women, mothers and working families. WFHB Correspondent Rasha Kamhawi presents some of those bills.
While the Equal Pay Act has been law for almost 60 years, the National Women’s Law Center states women continue to be paid less than men for the same work. The pay gap translates into thousands of dollars per year. According to a study by the American Association of University Women, in Indiana, women earn 25% less than what men earn. Indiana ranked 49th nationally in gender pay gap three years ago.
At the top of the list of legislation introduced in the Indiana House of Representatives by Democratic women is House Bill 1034, which is an effort to update and strengthen equal pay law in Indiana. The equal pay bill would allow an employee to disclose, compare and discuss their wages. The bill’s author, Carolyn Jackson of Hammond, Indiana says that on average women are paid 13,000 dollars a year less than their male colleagues doing the same work.
Another bill, House Bill 1248, gives expectant mothers a security blanket during their pregnancy and postpartum. Representative Vanessa Summers of Indianapolis introduced the bill. It would enroll eligible women in medicaid for the duration of their pregnancy and until one year after giving birth. The mother’s ability to receive aid would not change if changes in household income occurs during the coverage period.
House Bill 1355 empowers victims of abusive relations to leave. It allows for marital violence victims to expedite processes for child support, temporary custody of a child, temporary possession of property and temporary spousal support. The bill’s author is Representative Ragen Hatcher from Gary, Indiana.
House bill 1141 acknowledges that birth control is vital for women’s health and ability to plan and control their lives. The bill would require that contraceptives be covered by insurance companies. Indiana businesses would provide birth control as part of their health care plans. An exception is made for non-profit religious employers. The bill would also allow Indiana pharmacists to prescribe the contraceptive. The bill is authored by Rita Flemming of Jeffersonville and Terri Austin of Anderson.
Representative Carey Hamilton of Indianapolis authored House Bill 1226 that would make all feminine hygiene products exempt from state retail tax.
This year commemorates the 100th anniversary of women’s right to vote in Indiana. Women make up 24% of legislators in Indiana’s House and Senate. The national average is 29%.
