As legislators, the Indiana General Assembly wants to make sure lawmakers support people in their communities who are truly in need of help. This past session, the General Assembly passed bills to help survivors of sexual assault as well as those in the criminal justice system that suffer from a mental health issue.
District 48 State Senator Mark Messmer of Jasper says mental health illness is a serious issue in the United States that requires support and treatment…..
Messmer says the law also requires the Indiana Department Of Corrections to coordinate with the Division of Mental Health and Addiction when issuing community corrections and court-supervised programs to help keep people from returning to jail. Sexual assault is a crime that has been increasing throughout the years with the National Sexual Violence Resource Center reporting that one in five women will be experience rape or attempted rape at some point in their life. It’s important for lawmakers to support victims of these crimes.
Messmer says House Enrolled Act 1233 makes changes to the Sexual Assault Victims Fund by requiring the governor to appoint a member recommended by a sexual assault coalition to the Sexual Assault Victim Advocate Standards and Certification Board…..
Messmer says the laws will help fill funding gaps and create more services and programs to help Hoosiers reclaim their lives from mental illness and sexual assault. As always, feel free to contact Messmer’s officer directly with your questions and concerns by email at Senator.Messmer@iga.in.gov or by phone at 800-382-9467.
