(Indianapolis, IN) – Gov. Eric Holcomb signed 79 bills into law Thursday, including several authored by local legislators.
Shelbyville Republican State Rep. Jennifer Meltzer’s House Enrolled Act 1286 requires coroners to test for xylazine in drug overdose deaths.
Meltzer says xylazine, also known as the street drug “tranq,” is a veterinary sedative used in livestock surgeries but has been found in a growing number of overdose deaths across the United States.
“We are seeing more overdose deaths being linked to xylazine and this bill can help us track its prevalence, and ultimately develop strategies to combat it and save lives,” Meltzer said. “Many users may not know this veterinary sedative is being mixed with more common street drugs, and that it’s not responsive to overdose reversal medications.”
According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, xylazine is a central nervous system depressant that can cause drowsiness and amnesia, and slow breathing, heart rate, and blood pressure to dangerously low levels.
Repeated xylazine use is also associated with skin ulcers, abscesses, and related complications.Meltzer says xylazine is being mixed with other dangerous substances, like fentanyl and other illicit opioids.
Because the drug is not an opiate, overdose reversal medications such as Naloxone or Narcan are less effective.
According to the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA), xylazine-related overdose deaths in the Midwest increased by more than 500% from 2020 to 2021.
In addition, DEA forensic labs have identified the sedative 370% more across the United States in 2021 compared to 2020.
The Governor also put pen to paper on bills authored by Sen. Jean Leising (R-Oldenburg).
Senate Enrolled Act 167 expands financial aid awareness for Indiana students.
According to the Indiana College Readiness Report 2022, the state’s college-going rate has gradually decreased from 65% to 53% since 2015.
Additionally, the National College Attainment Network currently ranks Indiana 36th in the nation with approximately 39.9% of FAFSA applications received so far.
“Every year, the state and U.S. Department of Education give out billions of dollars in loans and grants to FAFSA applicants to help them afford college,” Leising said. “$69 million was not claimed by Indiana students last year, which is why it is important for students to apply.”
SEA 167 requires all Indiana students, with exceptions, to submit the FAFSA during their senior year of high school to help them see what post-secondary education opportunities are available.
“I have been a strong advocate for this bill language for many years, so I am pleased to see the governor sign it into law,” Leising said. “Even if students are unsure if higher education is their next step, I hope this law better helps them see what post-secondary education resources may be available to them.”
SEA 167 does not require students to file if a parent signs a waiver claiming the student understands what the FAFSA is and declines to complete it or a principal/school counselor employed at the student’s high school waives the requirement due to extenuating circumstances.
Senate Enrolled Act 168, also authored by Leising, requires the Indiana Department of Education to ensure their statewide assessment vendors provide easy-to-read summaries of a student’s results on their statewide assessment report.
“A child’s academic success comes with support from both their teachers and guardians,” Leising said. “Making test results easier to read will help instructors and families better understand what areas the student is struggling in and take more well-informed actions in helping them obtain fundamental learning skills.”
The total number of bills signed during the current legislative session stood at 93 as of Friday morning.
