Messmer Column: Keeping Hoosier Children Safe

Local Sources- On this week's Messmer Column, State Senator Mark Messmer (R-Jasper) discusses keeping children safe.

Schools in Indiana play a major role in caring for our children, so ensuring standards are met when it comes to their health is incredibly important.

I believe Hoosiers have a right to know some of the procedures districts use in emergency situations, which is why I supported Senate Bill 321. This bill is aimed at helping our kids in emergencies such as heat, shock, seizures, an active shooter and automated external defibrillator use.

Under Senate Bill 321, the Indiana State Department of Health would develop and publish first aid guidelines for schools to consider. The Indiana Department of Education would also publish these guidelines on their own website once districts formulate their health policies.

Also in Senate Bill 321 is an adjustment to what is included in an academic transcript, which currently includes immunization records. This bill would prohibit immunization records from being included in a transcript. A student’s health records do not belong in their academic records.

If colleges or employers want to consider an applicant's vaccination status, there are already laws governing how they can do that. However, a student's transcript should not be used as a backdoor way to access a student's health information.

I hope this bill will help ensure schools have guidelines in place to keep our kids safe if case of an emergency.

The bill now goes to the House of Representatives for further consideration.

As always, feel free to contact my office directly with your questions and concerns by email at [email protected] or by phone at 800-382-9467.