Senate Bill 203 – Threat To Churches And Families!
Churches should not be required to send confidential information on children to the State of Indiana!
Senate Bill 203, authored by Senator Beverly Gard, would require a church to send a report to the State of Indiana anytime a child in the childcare ministry has been injured and requires assistance by any medical personnel (doctor’s office, med-check, etc…).Confidential information on any child in a church ministry should never be sent to the state!
Three Unanswered Questions:
- What is the state going to do with the information on the child?
- Will the information be used against the child’s family or the church?
- If the state can require this for childcare ministries will the next step be to require reports on children in Sunday schools, Vacation Bible Schools, the Christian school, a summer camp or Mother’s Day Out Program?
What Can You Do?
· A public hearing will be held on Wednesday, February 18th at 9:00 am in the Senate Chamber in the State House located at 200 W. Washington Street. Pastors, church members and parents can come and voice their objections and opposition to SB 203.
· Call or email your Senator and urge them to “VOTE NO on SB 203 because confidential information on children in a church file should never be sent to the state.” (Click Here) to find out who your State Senator is.
State Senate
800-382-9467 or 317-232-9400
Senate Bill 96 Will Also Be Heard!
Senate Bill 96 authored by Senator Connie Lawson will also be heard in the Senate Chamber at 9:00 am on Wednesday, February 18th. Senate Bill 96 will license addiction counselors. Advance America has led the effort at the State House for many years to protect the right of pastors and church staff along with volunteers at the church as well as individuals at rescue missions and Crisis Pregnancy Centers to continue to provide counseling and help to individuals and families in need without being licensed by the state. Advance America will be at the hearing to oppose any effort to license pastors, church staff and others who want to continue to help individuals with addictions.
Come To The Hearing Wednesday, February 18th If You Can!
If you can’t, please call or email your State Senator with two messages:
1. Urge them to “VOTE NO on SB 203”; and
2. On SB 96 urge them to not license pastors, church staff and volunteers as well as individuals at rescue missions who want to continue to help people with their addictions.
State Senate
800-382-9467 or 317-232-9400
Working together we can help Indiana be an even
better place to live, work and raise a family!