Indiana Lifeline bill moves toward vote in House

The Indiana Lifeline bill is moving to a final read and vote on the floor of the House after a unanimous 11-0 vote by the Courts and Criminal Code Committee of the Indiana State House of Representatives.

This follows a 50-0 vote of approval in the Indiana State Senate.

The bill encourages students to call for emergency assistance in cases of alcohol overconsumption by granting them immunity. Protection would be extended in cases of public intoxication, underage possession of alcohol and consumption or transportation of alcoholic beverages.

The bill won’t shield those who drive under the influence of alcohol or those who don’t fully comply with emergency personnel. It also doesn’t apply to any other type of drug possession or consumption.

IUSA President Justin Kingsolver and Vice President of Administration Kevin Courtney, as well as Purdue University Student Body President Brett Highley, attended the committee hearing Wednesday.

They testified before the committee, and Kingsolver read a letter of support from Lauren Spierer’s parents.

“We’re very hopeful with the unanimous passing in the Senate,” Courtney said. “With that already as part of this bill’s resume, we don’t expect any large opposition. There’s a possibility that it won’t be unanimously passed in the House, but we don’t feel that there will be enough opposition to not have it passed at all.”

IUSA collaborated with Purdue in bringing the bill to the Indiana General Assembly. It also worked heavily with Hoosier Youth Advocacy, a nonpartisan organization founded in 2010 by college students.

If the bill is approved by the House, it will go to the governor’s desk for final
approval.

— Matthew Glowicki