Hoosiers have an estimated $2.2 billion of medical debt in collections — with even more on payment plans and credit cards. A Senate committee approved legislation Wednesday that introduces a variety of consumer protections against medical debt, including how hospitals create payment plans.

School board candidates would be forced to have a partisan label on the general election ballot under legislation approved by a House committee Wednesday.

House Bill 1285 still includes a requirement that every Indiana school building has a staff member available to de-escalate behavior in situations where students may be secluded, restrained or put in timeout.

IPS Superintendent Aleesia Johnson said the proposed revenue shift in Senate Bill 518 could force the district to close at least 20 schools.

The Indiana Senate advanced SB 442 Tuesday. It would require school boards or charter authorizers to approve all instruction materials related to human sexuality and post those materials to the school’s website by July 1.

Medicaid recipients in Indiana could have more access to birth control under legislation passed by a House committee. However, advocates said an amendment limits people’s options to just a few birth control methods.

Senate Bill 497 would create a $500 tax credit per newborn child for eligible taxpayers — or $250 for a married person filing a separate return.

While biorefineries, corn growers and gas stations spoke in favor of the bill, the Hoosier Environmental Council is opposed.

This session’s major property tax reform legislation underwent a complete overhaul in a Senate committee Tuesday.

A House committee approved legislation that would bolster existing programs to “divert” people away from more expensive Medicaid programs.