Latest news with #TonyaPfaff
Yahoo
10-04-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Committee advances bill adding pregnancy ultrasound video to Indiana sex ed requirements
(Getty Images) Hoosier elementary school students could be required to watch a pregnancy ultrasound video as part of their curricula if a bill moving through the House keeps its momentum. Language mandating Indiana's sex education instruction to include a presentation on 'human growth and development during pregnancy' was officially baked into Senate Bill 442 on Wednesday. The add-in was approved along party lines by the House Education Committee, as was the underlying bill, which now heads to the chamber floor. Terre Haute Democrat Rep. Tonya Pfaff emphasized that the bill 'is not needed at all.' 'We already have a class on child development, which goes into a lot of detail on how a baby is grown during the nine months of pregnancy,' Pfaff said. 'I just don't like this idea of mandating that kids have to watch this. I would prefer that — if they're interested in this — watch it with their parents.' Pfaff further questioned how the ultrasound video would be selected. Republican Rep. Julie McGuire, who proposed the language, said decisions would be left to local boards. 'I found 16 videos in about 10 minutes on YouTube,' said McGuire, of Indianapolis. 'There's so much material out there. It doesn't have to be that prescriptive.' At its core, Senate Bill 442 seeks to require any instruction and learning materials used to teach 'human sexuality' for grades 4-12 be approved by a school board. Basic information about the curriculum would have to be published in a 'conspicuous' place on the school's website. That includes a list of classes, by grade level, 'in which any instruction concerning human sexuality will be taught,' and whether that instruction 'will be provided by a male or female instructor.' The school's parental consent form — which lets parents remove their children from sexual education classes — would also need a link to that information. A grievance procedure would additionally need to be in place for parents to call out non-compliant schools. Critics of the bill have repeatedly noted, however, that Indiana parents already have the right to remove their child from sex education classes. And some schools don't provide such classes at all. The House Education Committee also adopted a proposal that intends to increase transportation and facility sharing between Indianapolis Public Schools and area charters. Despite discussion earlier in the session to approve a statewide plan to boost resource sharing between traditional publics and charter schools, lawmakers kept language in Senate Bill 373 limited to just Indianapolis. The latest draft of the legislation moved to the chamber floor on Wednesday in a 9-3 vote. The introduction of sex education usually starts in the fourth grade, according to state guidelines. But Indiana does not require the course in schools. Instead, it only mandates that schools teach lessons on HIV and AIDS. Schools that do teach sex education are expected to focus on abstinence. Currently, school boards have the authority to review and approve curricular materials. State law further requires school corporations to make instructional materials available to parents so that they can consent to instruction on human sexuality. But bill author Sen. Gary Byrne, R-Byrneville, questioned if school boards 'are actually having conversations' about that curriculum. He previously said the proposal stemmed from concerns brought to him by teachers and parents, and that his intention is to 'help parents better decide whether they want to opt their child out' of sex ed courses. Byrne introduced a similar bill in 2024 that advanced from the Senate but died in the House without a committee hearing. The ultrasound provision would require students to view a 'high-definition ultrasound video,' at least three minutes long, 'showing the development of the brain, heart, sex organs and other vital organs in early fetal development;' as well as a 'high-quality computer-generated rendering or animation' showing 'the process of fertilization and each stage of fetal development inside the uterus, noting significant markers in cell growth and organ development for every week of pregnancy from fertilization to birth.' Like Pfaff, Rep. Ed DeLaney, D-Indianapolis, maintained that 'I don't think we should be doing this.' 'I thought we were having legislation on human sexuality and the training of human sexuality — not lessons on maternity or chordate anatomy, which seems to be what this is,' he said. 'I think this opens this bill up to a serious discussion on the (House) floor about education and videos about STDs and everything else that in any way is related to sex.' In a separate move, House lawmakers abandoned contentious language that could have increased permissions for high school students to leave school for religious instruction. Sen. Spencer Deery, R-West Lafayette, framed his Senate Bill 255 as a means to tighten up existing law by preventing public high school students from missing large amounts of time from one class for out-of-school faith-based lessons. Hoosier students are already permitted to miss up to 120 minutes of class each week for optional religious instruction hosted off school grounds. Lawmakers debate if students should miss some — or all — of a class for religious instruction Deery's bill suggested a tweak, however, to allow older students to effectively replace an elective course with religious instruction. The existing two-hour limit for elementary and middle school students would remain the same. The proposal was criticized by House Democrats, who questioned how an increased exemption for religious instruction would benefit students. They emphasized, too, that Deery's proposed changes could permit daily absences and more than double the amount of time that can be spent away from traditional classes. Although the bill advanced to the House floor last month, committee chairman Rep. Bob Behning, R-Indianapolis, said the religious instruction language was found to be nongermane — too irrelevant — to the underlying bill, which mainly deals with teacher transition programs. The committee sent the bill back to the chamber on Wednesday with the provision on religious instruction gone entirely. Tensions also rose over a bill that would require Indiana's Commission for Higher Education (CHE) to have a heavier hand in higher education programming and decision-making. Under Senate Bill 448, which advanced to the House floor along party lines, CHE would have to review all public college and university degree programs — currently there are more than 3,000 — at least once every 10 years. When doing so, the commission would have to consider factors like labor markets, job placement, stackable credentials and work-based learning to determine if a degree should continue to be offered. Among the bill's other provisions is another requirement for university boards of trustees to 'assess and review the staffing needs' of the school during tenure reviews, which would then have to be shared with CHE. 'What I want to make sure is that we're being smart as we're educating and developing the workforce, and to make sure that we put Indiana first — while at the same time — continue to be a magnet for individuals from outside of Indiana,' said bill author Sen. Greg Goode, R-Terre Haute. Indiana Higher Education Commissioner Chris Lowery was on board, but Democrats were not. They worried, for example, that CHE would have 'too much power' to approve or disapprove university programs and faculty. Concerns were also raised over academic freedom implications that could come from potentially limiting programs that aren't directly tied to workforce needs. DeLaney repeatedly argued that the bill transforms CHE's relationship with universities, from a collaborative partner to a mandate-driven authority. 'For those who want to be really nervous, you pass this, and the gentleman down the hall — the lieutenant governor — becomes the governor, and who does he put in charge the Commission on Higher Education? And how much power do we want that person to have?' DeLaney said. 'That's what the stakes are here. This is about taking a cooperative system, that's evolved over decades and has succeeded, and making it a mandate-from-above system.' 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Yahoo
28-03-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Avian Influenza reaches birds in Crawford County
ROBINSON, Ill. (WTWO/WAWV)— Avian Influenza or bird flu, has made its way to Crawford County in Illinois. According to a press release from the Crawford County Health Department, they were notified by the Illinois Department of Public Health that birds in the area had tested positive for the disease. This comes after over 30 Indiana counties had shown to have infected birds as well. State Representative Tonya Pfaff and Mayor Brandon Sakbun hosted a joint town hall meeting for Vigo County. The Crawford County Health Department states that the public health risk is currently low and that they are working with local and state partners to assess and respond to humans exposed to the animals. The best ways to prevent bird flu are to avoid direct contact with sick or dead birds or other animals without personal protective equipment. Other ways are to avoid any raw milk and to cook all poultry, eggs, and beef to safe temperatures. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
28-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Mayor and State Representative hold joint town hall in Terre Haute
TERRE HAUTE, Ind. (WTWO/WAWV)— State Representative Tonya Pfaff and Mayor Brandon Sakbun hosted a joint town hall meeting for Vigo County. This meeting gave those who attended the opportunity to hear about the work being done for the community at the statehouse and the mayor's office. It also gave residents the chance to share any thoughts, concerns, or questions about key issues that impact the city and the state. Some of the topics discussed included road funding, Medicaid, LGBTQ concerns, and property taxes. 'You can't say you're transparent if you're not letting people approach you with their concerns,' said Vigo County Mayor Brandon Sakbun. 'Whether you agree or disagree with their concerns, it is our job to listen and represent all of our constituents, which is what our goal was to do today. Is hey what can we affect and change here locally and what do we need to pass on to the federal or state level.' They plan to host one again, that date is to be determined. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
22-02-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
POLL: Should I-70 be three lanes?
INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. (WTWO/WAWV) – State Rep. Tonya Pfaff (D-Terre Haute) had introduced a bill this year aimed at improving the traffic flow on I-70 by adding additional lanes. At the time she introduced the bill, Pfaff had said in a press release, 'While I am proud to represent this key thoroughfare, we must take action to make it safer and more efficient for everyone who relies on it. House Bill 1087 has the potential to bring critical investments to our community to achieve both of these goals.' Pfaff said on Friday that the bill has died. WTWO would like to know what you think. Do you think I-70 should have three lanes from Terre Haute to Indianapolis? Vote here: Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
28-01-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
IN State Rep. files bill to add more lanes to I-70
INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. (WTWO/WAWV) — State Rep. Tonya Pfaff (D-Terre Haute) has filed a bill that aims to shorten the timeline for infrastructure improvements, alleviate road congestion and enhance safety on I-70. House Bill 1087 will try to improve traffic flow on I-70 by adding additional lanes. The bill 'requires the Indiana Department of Transportation to take action necessary to construct one or more additional lanes of traffic across Indiana for: (1) eastbound; and (2) westbound,' according to the bill's synopsis. 'Terre Haute is literally the crossroads of America, and we are proud to serve as a vital link in our local, state, and national economy,' Pfaff said in a press release. 'While I am proud to represent this key thoroughfare, we must take action to make it safer and more efficient for everyone who relies on it. House Bill 1087 has the potential to bring critical investments to our community to achieve both of these goals.' I-70 backed up 10 miles due to 'several accidents' Pfaff also collaborated with local stakeholders on this legislation, including the Terre Haute Chamber of Commerce. 'Tragic wrecks and hours of delays for travelers have plagued the stretch of I-70 near Terre Haute between the state line and Exit 41 for years,' said Kristin Craig, President and CEO of the Terre Haute Chamber of Commerce. 'The results have been loss of life, including families and children, and overall loss of confidence in this critical piece of infrastructure.' According to the proposed bill's fiscal note, adding additional lanes to the east and westbound lanes would cost an estimated $2.06 B, based on the cost of resources in 2024. However, the fiscal note said, $1.65 B would be drawn from federal funds. 'We want West Central Indiana to be a place where businesses thrive and families can live safely and comfortably,' Pfaff added. 'Prioritizing infrastructure improvements like the expansion of I-70 is essential to keeping our area attractive and economically competitive. I'm proud to champion this legislation at the Statehouse as a member of the House Committee tasked with writing our state's budget.' TH man charged with attempted murder now in custody Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
