Lifeline Law

A Senate committee advances a bill pressuring nonprofit hospitals to lower costs. Language banning government involvement in “obscene performances” gets added to an unrelated bill. And an expansion of the state’s Lifeline Law heads to the governor.

Indiana is a stroke of the governor’s pen away from expanding its Lifeline Law to shield more young people from underage drinking charges.

Indiana’s Lifeline Law — which provides immunity from underage drinking charges for people who seek police or medical help — has been in place for more than a decade.

This year marks the12-year anniversary of Indiana's Lifeline Law. The law protects those who call or text 911 to help an underage friend experiencing an alcohol-related medical emergency from facing legal consequences for underage drinking.

The Lifeline law provides drunk minors with immunity from underage drinking charges if they seek medical or police help for any reason. Indianapolis Republican Sen. Jim Merritt wants to expand it further, this time providing immunity from drug charges for people under 21.