Advocates gathered at the Indiana Statehouse Wednesday to rally support for a group of harm reduction bills. One of their priorities — this year's testing strips bill — was heard in a House committee.

Indiana lawmakers are considering a wide-reaching bill that aims to free schools from what they consider irrelevant or excessive regulatory burdens. Many people who testified on the proposal at the House Education Committee Wednesday expressed support for the spirit of the bill. However, some lawmakers and state education leaders want to remove parts of the bill they say go too far.

Indiana law requires licensed practical nursing programs to only accept people who have completed their high school diploma — but lawmakers say removing that requirement could address nursing shortages in the state. A Senate committee moved a bill forward to make it easier for high school students to enroll in those programs.

The measure would codify that governmental entities “may not substantially burden a parent’s fundamental right” to direct the upbringing, religious instruction, education or health care of a child unless it has a compelling interest.

House Bill 1201 bars schools from suspending or expelling students for being chronically absent or habitually truant.

A cannabis legalization coalition says moving Indiana directly to full adult legal use is the best way to ensure a regulated market that also addresses public safety concerns.

A potential overhaul of the state’s Medicaid expansion program would include changes such as caps on enrollment and limits on lifetime eligibility. The overhaul would also reintroduce a proposal that the federal government previously blocked because it could lead to a loss of coverage.

Some say House Bill 1136 may be intended to start discussions about giving charter schools a share of local property tax dollars, which they do not receive now.

The Indiana House GOP’s 2025 legislative priorities hope to build on previous initiatives that aimed to bring down health care and housing costs.

The Indiana Black Legislative Caucus says its focus in the 2025 session is making Indiana safer, healthier and more equitable.