2/25/2022 Newsletter

The Latest at the Statehouse

The session may be winding down, but it's still been quite busy at the Statehouse. We are still amplifying the Muslim voice on an array of legislative issues related to criminal, economic and racial justice. We are also working with the Executive branch to make sure they use allocated funds to smooth the transition for our allies from Afghanistan as they become our neighbors.

​Here is a quick rundown of our activities in the last couple of weeks: 

A Dignified Treatment to Female Inmates

According to the Quran, human dignity is inherent and gifted to all mankind; however, inmates in correctional facilities often face inhuman and degrading treatment.That’s why IMAN Associates rose in support of HB1294 Restraint of pregnant inmates, which calls for using no restraint on a pregnant inmate who is in labor, delivering a baby, during the immediate post delivery period, or dealing with a medical emergency related to the pregnancy. HB1294 aims at giving female inmates their basic human rights and a dignified treatment while pregnant and in labor. ​

We helped successfully pass HB 1294 out of committee and the full Senate, sending it back to the House who agreed to the changes.  This bill brought us in parallel to Federal regulations when it came to the least amount of restriction necessary for pregnant inmates.  A solid victory for the the state and IMAN Associates.

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SNAP Feeds Low-Income Hoosiers

Earlier this week, IMAN Associates's lobbyist, Andrew Bauman, testified in opposition to HB1354 (Requirements for SNAP Participants), which was putting unnecessary regulations on lower income families.  After debating the bill, the Senate Family and Children Services’ committee decided to move it to the interim study committee. This is a big win since the interim study committee will now explore requiring the custodial and noncustodial parents to cooperate with the child support bureau as a condition of eligibility for assistance under SNAP, as well as assigning individuals who are subject to federal work requirements for SNAP eligibility to an employment and training program.

We thank our constituents and partnering organizations for putting a big fight to ensure economically disadvantaged Hoosiers continue to have access to SNAP.

Despite this humble win, there are two other bills currently debated on both floors to end the SNAP Emergency Allotments (EA). If either SB3 or HB1001 passes, Hoosiers who rely heavily on SNAP to feed their children will miss out on "$200M in federal benefits to afford healthier food options for their families, purchased at more than 5,000 Indiana retailers."
Our friends at Feeding Indiana's Hungry are urging the Indiana legislature to support an amendment to allow SNAP EA to extend for the duration of the federal public health emergency. Please contact your legislators today using this link and advocate on behalf of more than 600,000 SNAP beneficiaries in our state. Thank you for taking action! 

Email your legislators and urge them to support an amendment

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Anti- CRT Bill is Still Considered at the Statehouse

​In the first week of February, legislators received more than 30 letters from IMAN Associates' constituents urging them to vote NO on HB1134, which included provisions that burden teachers with additional workload, and censor them in the classrooms, which insinuate lack of trust in our teachers. The provisions also limit freedom of speech when it comes to how students and teachers talk about race and institutionalized racism.

Before the committee hearing, Sen. Linda Rogers (HB1134 sponsor) amended the bill so teachers were no longer required to post list of learning material, there was no requirement for curriculum advisory committees. Also, language requiring schools to be impartial in teaching historical events was removed. The Senate Education and Career Development Committee approved the amended bill. It now moves to the Senate floor for a full vote. 

The amendment made HB1134 slightly less terrible, but still included much of the problematic language. It still includes excessive oversight concerning lesson plans, and the anti-Critical Race Theory language.  We will continue to fight this bill and try to either get it killed or continue to remove the worst parts.
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We need your help again! Urge your senator to vote NO on HB1134 using this link.

Email Your Senator and Urge them to Vote NO on HB1134