IN Rep. Andrade's Community Update

Rep. Andrade's Community Update

Rep. Mike Andrade

Jan 6th, 

Dear Neighbors,

Happy New Year!

In this newsletter, I want to share what I’ve been up to in District 12, provide updates, share resources and discuss my legislative priorities for the 2025 legislative session.

As always, if you have questions, concerns, or feedback, please reach out to my legislative office at h12@iga.in.gov.

In service,

Mike

Complete Rep. Andrade’s Legislative Survey

As we approach the start of the 2025 legislative session, my legislative priorities are based on the concerns of our community. 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 legislative survey.

Click here to take the survey.

Session will begin on Jan. 8 and will go through the middle of April. The best way to be a part of the process is by completing my survey.

New BMV Self-Service Kiosk in Highland

On Dec. 16, the Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles (IBMV) announced that a BMV Connect Kiosk was installed at the Strack & Van Til grocery store located at 9632 N. Cline Ave., Highland, IN 46322. The kiosk is available for use seven days a week, from 6:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. For more information, visit IN.gov/BMV.

While this may not have been an ideal solution when faced with the closure of the BMV branch in Griffith, it's a step forward in improving convenience for the residents of Highland, Griffith and surrounding communities. The BMV Connect Kiosk is a welcome addition, offering local access to services and saving time for many. I encourage all residents to take advantage of this new resource to streamline their BMV transactions and make their lives a little easier.

Legislative Priorities

As we enter the legislative session, I'm focused on advancing policies that will make a meaningful difference in the lives of Hoosiers. Here’s a look at the key pieces of legislation I’m working on and what’s ahead.

• Public Safety
  • Auto Theft and Carjacking Penalties: I’m working to repeal the current provision and increase penalties for auto theft and carjacking. This reform aims to ensure that penalties remain fair while still prioritizing the safety of our communities.
  • Sensory Kit Grant Program: This bill establishes a Sensory Kit Grant Program, which will provide funding to public safety agencies to purchase sensory kits. These kits will be used in emergencies to assist individuals with autism spectrum disorders or cognitive impairments, helping ensure better outcomes during high-stress situations.
     
• Health Care
  • Chronic Diseases & Obesity Treatment: I’m proposing legislation to improve access to anti-obesity medications approved by the FDA, alongside intensive behavioral and lifestyle therapy. This bill supports individuals in managing their weight and improving their long-term health.
  • Statewide Stroke Plan: This bill will require the Indiana Department of Health (IDOH) to develop a statewide stroke plan. The plan will set standards for stroke care and require certain health providers to report data, helping us improve outcomes for stroke patients across the state.
  • Medicaid Waiver for Nutrition Supports: This legislation mandates the Office of the Secretary of Family and Social Services to apply for a Medicaid waiver to provide nutrition supports for individuals with chronic illnesses, pregnant women, and children. This is aimed at addressing the health-related social needs that affect vulnerable Hoosiers.
     
• Mental Health
  • Mental Health and Substance Use Disorder Screening in Schools: I’m introducing a bill that will require schools to implement mental health and substance use screenings for students in kindergarten through 12th grade. By detecting mental health and substance use issues early, we can intervene and provide support for students in need.
  • Pediatric Mental Health Recruitment Pilot: This bill establishes a program to recruit pediatric mental health professionals in Indiana. The program will provide incentives for students who commit to providing mental health services in areas that are currently underserved - helping us address the growing need for pediatric mental health care - immediately after becoming pediatric mental health professionals.
     
• Teachers
  • Tax Credit for Teacher’s Classroom Supplies: To support our educators, I’m authoring a bill to increase the income tax credit for teachers from $100 to $300 per year for classroom supplies. This bill aligns with the current federal tax code to help teachers offset out-of-pocket expenses as they prepare their classrooms for success.

 

Standing Committee Assignments

As part of my work in the legislature, I have been assigned to the following committees: Financial Institutions as the Ranking Minority Member; Roads and Transportation; and Ways and Means.

These assignments give me the opportunity to directly influence policy on key issues such as infrastructure, financial stability and the state budget. I’m committed to working on legislation that will keep Indiana moving forward and help our communities thrive.

Thank you for your continued support, and I look forward to working on these important issues during the legislative session.

 

Apply for the Page Program at the Indiana Statehouse

Want to see how laws are made? Apply for our Page Program! Get a front-row seat to the Indiana Statehouse and meet your elected officials. This opportunity is open to middle and high school students age 13+. It's an exciting experience that will give you a unique perspective on government and a behind-the-scenes look at the Capitol. Programs are available for both the Indiana Senate and Indiana House of Representatives.

The step-by-step application process is listed below:

1. Complete the online application here. Each individual student must complete an application for the Senate or the House of Representatives. The online application will indicate how many open spots remain for each date.
2. After submitting the application, several required forms will be emailed to you. These are to be submitted before Paging.
   • Alternative Adult Release Form
   • Page Photo Release Form
   • Page Student Driver Release Form
3. Want to bring in a whole class, scout troop or other large group? Group Page days must be set up with the Page Program Director ahead of time and are only held on Wednesdays. Since there is no session on Wednesdays, the schedule may look different than a typical page day. To schedule your group, please reach out to the Page Program Director at (317) 232-9410 or pageprogram@iga.in.gov.

For more information, click here!

I encourage all students interested to apply and I hope to see YOU in the Indiana Statehouse!

 

Update on SBOE’s Newest Diplomas

On Dec. 11, the State Board of Education (SBOE) approved their latest version of the high school diploma redesign. With the latest version approved, the diploma heads to the attorney general for its final sign-off. Schools can opt-in to the new diploma as early as the 2025-2026 school year. The new diploma will go into effect for all students beginning with the Class of 2029 who are currently in 8th grade.

The final diploma draft is supported by Indiana’s public colleges and universities, including Purdue. I think the final diploma will provide students with greater flexibility to pursue programs of their choice, whether that be college readiness or career training. Classes, like Computer Science and Personal Finance, are great additions to existing coursework.

However, my concerns regarding the diploma’s implementation and work requirements to graduate still remain. These diplomas will increase teacher’s workload, and Indiana is experiencing a teacher shortage. We also have yet to address student transportation, safety and more as they enter the workplace. I hope to continue these discussions even though the final draft has been approved.

Here’s a breakdown of the new diploma: