State Senator Bassler’s weekly update

Feb. 21, 2020

Ensuring Justice for
Victims of Sexual Assault

This session I am supporting a measure that will help those who were victims of sex crimes as children seek justice
as adults.

Because of the sensitive nature of these kinds of crimes,
it is not uncommon for a victim to wait a long period of time before reporting the crime to law enforcement. Under our current law, the statute of limitations for most sex crimes committed against children expires after the victim has turned 31. This means that, under current law, if a perpetrator confessed when the victim was over age 31, law enforcement wouldn’t be able to press charges.

Senate Bill 109 would change that by creating exemptions to the statute of limitations for sex crimes against children. Under SB 109, if law enforcement discover DNA evidence of a crime, discover a recording that provides evidence of a crime, or if the perpetrator confesses to the crime, a new window of time opens up for law enforcement to bring charges against the perpetrator, even if the victim is now older than 31 years of age.

In 2015, I co-authored and the Indiana General Assembly passed Senate Enrolled Act 94, also known as “Jenny’s Law,” which provides the same exemptions to the statute of limitations for rape. SB 109 is an expansion of Jenny’s Law, ensuring justice for victims of sex crimes other than rape.

SB 109 recently passed out of the Senate with bipartisan support and is up for consideration by the House of Representatives.

To learn more about SB 109, click here.

College Goal Sunday
is Feb. 23

College-bound students and their families can get help filing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) Feb. 23 during College Goal Sunday.

The FAFSA is a form completed by prospective college students to determine eligibility for student financial aid.

Financial aid experts will be available at 37 locations across Indiana at 2 p.m. local time. In our community, an event will be held at Vincennes University.

Students should attend College Goal Sunday with their parents or guardians and bring completed 2018 IRS 1040 tax returns, W-2 forms and other 2018 income and benefits information. Students 24 years of age or older can attend alone and bring their own forms and information.

Families are also encouraged to apply for their U.S. Department of Education Federal Student Aid IDs before attending the event.

The deadline to file the FAFSA is April 15.

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Grants to Assist
Hoosier Veterans

The Indiana Department of Veterans Affairs (IDVA) recently selected 13 organizations to receive nearly $1 million through the Grants for Veterans’ Services (GVS) program to help end homelessness among Indiana’s veteran population.

The grants range from $25,000 to $100,000. The IDVA will also assist grant recipients in their outreach efforts with their customers
and communities.

To learn more about GVS and the organizations receiving funding, click here.

Hoosier Teachers Receive more than $3.1 Million
in Grants

Recently, the Indiana State Board of Education approved more than $3.1 million from the Career Ladders Grant.

The 18 grant recipients will use the funding to develop teacher leadership opportunities and compensate teachers for their leadership efforts in schools.

The Career Ladders Grant was created by the General Assembly last session through House Enrolled Act 1008 and funded by the 2020-2021
state budget.

For more information on the grant program, click here.