The Indiana General Assembly legislative session began in January and is off to a busy start with bills that impact HVAF and the veterans we serve. I want to provide a recap of our advocacy efforts for this session.

House Bill 1662: Criminalization of Homelessness

This bill allows police to arrest and charge individuals living unsheltered with a C Misdemeanor if they do not vacate a publicly owned space within 24 hours of receiving a warning. I engaged with the bills’ authors, as well as committee members, asking them not to further punish veterans experiencing homelessness in our State by adding criminal convictions and fines to the barriers they are already facing. 1 in 10 individuals experiencing homelessness in Indianapolis are veterans, including 36 currently living unsheltered.

This isn’t the first time HVAF has spoken out on this issue. You may recall our blog following the Supreme Court decision this summer in the Grants Pass v. Johnson case. What I said then still rings true today, veterans experiencing homelessness should not be punished for being homeless. Those who served and sacrificed for our country should be treated with compassion and dignity. They should be engaged and encouraged until they are housed, not facing civil and criminal penalties that will make finding housing more difficult.

This bill was heard in committee on Monday and is currently being held by Chairman Miller.

House Bill 1433 and Senate Bill 209: Electronic Pull Tabs in Charity Gaming

These companion bills permit Veterans Service Organizations to allow electronic pull tabs (e-tabs) alongside traditional paper pull tabs in their charitable gaming activities. This modernization is a crucial step to ensuring that strong charitable support of local non-profits continues.

Kentucky and Ohio have already embraced e-tabs and the results speak for themselves. Organizations in these states have seen increased revenue streams, enabling them to expand their services and reach more individuals in need. Not only that, but many VSOs are seeing a jump in membership during a time when aging posts are struggling to attract new people.

Veterans’ organizations have historically been key supporters of HVAF’s effort to end veteran homelessness in Central Indiana.  Through financial donations and in-kind donations of food, clothing, and hygiene items, for more than 30 years, Veterans Organizations have been reliable partners in HVAF’s critical mission.  Simply put, without their ongoing support, we would be unable to provide the high-quality services necessary to ensure that no hero is homeless on our streets.

HVAF provided written testimony for the House Committee hearing and in-person testimony supporting this legislation in the Senate.

House Bill 1289: Employment Social Enterprises

This bill adopts the federal definition of employment social enterprises (ESE) which are nonprofit or for-profit organizations that focus on training and employing individuals who face significant barriers to entering the workforce. These businesses offer employment with a specific social mission: to provide income, training, and supportive services to those overcoming workforce barriers so that they can fully participate in the economy. Adopting this definition would allow more agencies, including HVAF, to receive federal assistance in serving the most vulnerable in our State.

HVAF provided written testimony supporting this bill when heard before the House Employment, Labor and Pensions Committee.

We will continue to monitor legislation advancing this session and advocate as needed for the veterans we serve.