House District 94 update for the week of Jan. 8
Dear neighbor,
Happy New Year!
I hope everyone has a happy and healthy 2024!
My 2024 legislative priorities
This week, I filed my bills for the 2024 legislative session that started yesterday. My legislative priorities this session include promoting fair housing rights – particularly for vulnerable populations – expanding health insurance for state employees to cover breast cancer screenings, and helping police identify when they are interacting with someone with autism.
Since I was elected in 2008, protecting Hoosiers' right to fair housing practices has been one of my top priorities. Three out of my five bills are dedicated to protecting homeowners and renters from unfair practices that put vulnerable Hoosiers and underserved communities at a disadvantage.
First and foremost, I am refiling a bill to address discrimination in appraisal practices. A Black homeowner in 2021 had her home appraisal double when she had her white friend stand in. A big part of the racial wealth disparity comes from homeownership and property values. We need to reform the system that allows for such blatant biases that is preventing Black Hoosiers from accumulating wealth the way their white neighbors do.
The bill focused on discriminatory appraisal practices is House Bill 1112, which explicitly prohibits the use of factors such as race, color, national origin, sex, disability and familial status from impacting the appraisal price of a property. I have also filed two bills looking go keep homeowners from being harassed by investors. House Bill 1113 gives Hoosiers a leg up against large investment firms when buying a single-family home and House Bill 1111 will reduce unsolicited home purchase inquiries.
In recent years, the average American family has been priced out of the single-family home housing market by investment firms who have bought up vast quantities of single-family homes in cash at rates impossible to compete with. One of the biggest accomplishments for a family or an individual is buying a home. House Bill 1113 protects the interests of Hoosier families by barring investment firms from entering into contract to purchase a single-family home within 90 days of the initial listing.
House Bill 1111 aims to prevent seniors or financially precarious households from being taken advantage of by telephone solicitors while also cracking down on the harassment of homeowners uninterested in selling their residential property. These unsolicited calls disrupt everyday life and are on the brink of harassment.
In addition to focusing on housing, I am also fighting to help women seeking treatment or diagnostic procedures for breast cancer be covered by their insurance plan.
Early detection of breast cancer increases the survival rate by 93%. Seeking diagnostic examinations or supplement screenings to look for early signs of breast cancer not only saves lives but saves insurance companies money down the line compared to more intensive treatment. House Bill 1114 would require the state health care plan to cover diagnostic and supplemental examinations in full, without requiring those seeking them to pay part of the cost.
My final bill seeks to prevent encounters between police and people with autism from escalating because the officer doesn’t know the person has a medical condition. House Bill 1115 gives the option to have a medical symbol on a person's ID or the information available in the ISP system.
Take my legislative survey
Each session, my legislative priorities are based on the concerns of my constituents. Your feedback is essential to my success as a representative, and I want your voice to be heard. One of the easiest ways to share your thoughts and concerns is through my upcoming legislative survey.
In House District 94, we’re facing some difficult issues right now. We’re seeing a housing shortage, utility bills are increasing and we’re experiencing a cost of living crisis. Survey responses help me gauge how our district feels about these issues. You submit my survey by mail or submit it online at IN.gov/H94 by clicking on the “Take My Survey” button. Please do not complete the online survey if you have returned the mail survey or if you do not reside in Indiana House District 94. To verify that you live in my district, please call the Indiana House of Representatives at 1-800-382-9842 or visit https://iga.in.gov/information/find-legislators. A question on my survey does not indicate my support for or opposition to an issue.
Session begins on Jan. 8 and will go through the middle of March. The best way to be a part of the process is by completing my survey before the Jan. 8 deadline. Please contact my office at h94@iga.in.gov or (317)232-9798 with any questions or concerns.
Blood Cancer in the Black Community education dinner
Mark your calendars! On Thursday, February 22 the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society will be holding a free dinner to educate people in Indianapolis about blood cancer in the black community. The event will take place from 6 to 8 pm at Maggiano’s Little Italy located at 3550 E 86th St.
This program is intended to spread awareness about what types of blood cancers members of the black community are most likely to be diagnosed with and how to reduce risk factors. Additionally, the presenters will provide information what to do if you or a loved one is diagnosed with blood cancer, how to find quality care and methods to communicate effectively throughout the process.
Registration for this event will be opening soon. If you have questions or would like early access, please contact Lauren Fryzel at lauren.fryzel@lls.org or 248-581-3891. For more information about blood cancer now, you can visit the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society website at LLS.org.
Drive & Dish
If you or someone you know is struggling with food insecurity, the Pacer’s Foundation and the Division of Community Nutrition and Food Policy supports a free program called Drive & Dish funded by Coach Rick Carlisle in pursuit of food equity. This program provides a family sized box with free groceries full of fresh fruits and vegetables to bring nourishing food to families in need. See the flyer below for more details about eligibility and pick up locations!
Energy Assistance Program
While January can be a joyful month of celebrating, it can also bring struggles to keep up with higher electricity bills to keep your house warm and the lights on longer. The Indiana Housing & Community Development Authority (IHCDA) offers the Energy Assistance Program (EAP) for those struggling to afford high energy costs and can help if you are disconnected or about to be. The EAP is a one-time annual benefit paid directly to the utility vendor for applicants who meet a certain income requirements. For more details on the program, eligibility and application visit the IHCDA website today.
Resources Available at the Marion County Public Health Department
The Marion County Public Health Department is a health and hospital corporation that serves all residents and visitors of Marion County. MCPH offers a range of mental, emotional and physical health services.
Some of the services offered at each clinic include immunizations, TB testing, blood pressure screening, general health counseling or a referral for community services. The MCPHD also offers prenatal care coordination for women who are pregnant. Children who are under 18 must have a parent or guardian with them to receive services. You should also bring a copy of your shot record, a Medicaid or insurance card and your ID.
MCHPD has four clinic locations: the Northeast District clinic, the South District clinic, the Action Health Center and the Eagledale Plaza. All four clinics are open Mon., Wed. and Fri. from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Tues. and Thurs. from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. To find a certain clinic’s contact information, please visit https://marionhealth.org/.
Sincerely,
State Rep. Cherrish Pryor