Senate Bill 1, authored by Sen. Michael Crider (R-Greenfield), passed unanimously out of the Indiana Senate last week. This bill helps address an important issue for Hoosier businesses. (Representative Ann Vermilion (R-Marion) is carrying the legislation in the House.)
Mental health concerns cost Indiana employers $885 million annually in lost productivity and they cost the state $708 million per year in direct health care costs.
We’re looking forward to continuing to support this bill setting up the framework that addresses these mental health issues. Eventually this session, the General Assembly will have to fund the 9-8-8 crises response centers included in the bill. As we’ve mentioned before, the Chamber would like to see a $2 per pack cigarette tax increase be used to fund this important endeavor instead of taxes or fees that would hit the pocketbooks of businesses and individuals.
