Indiana Lifeline law progresses in Senate

A state-level version of the University’s Hoosier P.A.C.T. was unanimously approved 10-0 Wednesday by the Indiana Senate Judiciary Committee.

The Indiana Lifeline Law, SB 274, would create immunity in certain alcohol offense cases, to encourage the call for medical assistance in alcohol overconsumption situations.

The bill would only protect those who call for emergency assistance in cases of public intoxication, underage possession of alcohol and consumption or transportation of alcoholic beverages.

The bill will not, however, shield those who drive under the influence of alcohol or apply to any other type of drug possession.

Those who act disorderly or otherwise do not comply with emergency personnel also will not be immune.

Actual victims of alcohol overconsumption will need to complete a mandatory diversion program to avoid prosecution and learn from their mistakes, according to a proposal in the bill, though there will be a limit to the number of times this can occur.

Complete finalized details of the bill are not yet firm, as it still must pass in both the Senate and the House of Representatives.

The bipartisan committee, comprised of 10 senators, was impressed with the student-initiated nature of the Lifeline Law, Justin Kingsolver, IU Student Association president, said.

“The senators made some indication that they are proud that students are stepping up to make this happen,” he said. “The senators are encouraged that young people are getting involved in the process.”

Approximately three-quarters of bills die in the first committee stage, Kingsolver said, so he is relieved by the recent progress.

“Statistically, we had a very small percentage chance of getting in,” Kingsolver said. “Now we have some validation behind what we’ve been doing. We’ve talked for months and months and months about making this a state law. I believed it then and I still firmly believe that, but there was always a little bit of doubt.”

IUSA collaborated with the student governments at Purdue University, the University of Southern Indiana, Butler University and Ball State University to help bring the bill to the state Senate. Senator Jim Merritt, R-Indianapolis, co-author of the legislation, is a family friend of Kingsolver’s. After first approaching Merritt during the summer, the state senator formally signed on in October.

“It is in the best interest of students and their families that we exhaust all options to eliminate any hesitations during the decision making process — especially while someone’s life is in jeopardy due to alcohol poisoning,” Merritt said in a press release.

The bill will now go up for a vote by the full senate, which Kingsolver expects to happen within the next couple of weeks.

— Matthew Glowicki