21st Century Scholars Program

HB 1449 “Twenty-first century scholars’ program” received a hearing on Wednesday in the Senate Education and Career Development committee. This bill would require the commission for higher education to notify eligible students who qualify for enrollment in the twenty-first century scholars program. Currently, about half of eligible students do not apply for the program on time and miss out on the opportunity to have their college expenses covered. Enrollment in the 21st Century Scholars program would help students have more educational opportunities that could change the trajectory of their adult lives. MCCOY supports any efforts to help lift children out of poverty through the power of education.  

This bill is currently being held in the Senate Education and Career Development committee. Contact Senate Education Committee members today and let them know you support HB1449!

FAFSA

SB 167 “FAFSA” received a hearing on Wednesday and is currently being held in the House Education committee. This bill would require all Indiana students to apply for FAFSA in their senior year of high school, with some exceptions. A co-author of the bill, Sen. Jean Leising, said  that college enrollment is down, especially among minority populations, and almost $70 million in Federal Grant money was not used by Hoosier students. Sen. Leising believes this bill would help rural kids in her district attend college, since many do not even know that FAFSA exists. 

MCCOY supports this bill because it would help close a large gap in accessing higher education for minority students and students in poverty. Please reach out to House Education committee members and let them know you support SB 167. 

Court Fees and Fines

HB1493, Elimination of Costs and Fees in Juvenile Court,  will receive a hearing this upcoming Monday morning (March 13) in the Senate Family and Children Services Committee. 

This bill would eliminate the costs and fees that accumulate when a young person goes through the juvenile court and often times puts them and their families in deep financial debt. 

A recent national study conducted by the Juvenile Law Center reported that these financial penalties increase recidivism, push impoverished young people deeper into the juvenile justice system, exacerbate racial disparities, and increase economic and emotional distress for families that are already experiencing financial struggles. Other consequences for failure to pay include the inability to get records expunged as well as additional court visits that would lead to missed school or missed work. These consequences have long term effects on that young person’s success as they grow into adulthood.

Foster Families

SB151, Foster Families, will receive a hearing on Wednesday, March 15 in the House Ways and Means Committee. If passed, this bill will provide an appropriation for the Insuring Foster Youth Trust Fund and expand the Foster Care Tax Credit Program to donors of that trust fund. Additionally, the bill will empower Indiana's older foster youth with legal driving privileges and the opportunities those privileges afford, such as access to education and jobs that are essential to independence and self-sufficiency. Lastly, the bill would provide free access for foster families to Indiana State Parks, which is an initiative created by Girl Scouts of Central Indiana Troop 1937.

MCCOY supports this bill for all of the positive changes it will bring to young Hoosiers in the foster care system.