Senate committee approves Errington bill to address childhood poverty

Commission would direct a plan to cut childhood poverty rates in Indiana in half by 2020

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - State Senator Sue Errington (D-Muncie) has co-authored Senate Bill 260 that would create a commission on childhood poverty with intentions of reducing childhood poverty rates in Indiana by 50 percent by the year 2020. Errington said the measure is critical because 1 in 6 Hoosier children are living at or below poverty rates, and those rates are projected to rise this year. The Senate Committee on Public Policy and Interstate Cooperation voted today 9-0 to approve the bill.

Organizations who provide services for low income families and children advocacy groups testified in support of the bill today. All organizations were in favor of facilitating government and private cooperation in order to find unique solutions for poverty’s ailments. Indiana ranks 40th in the nation for providing services to families living below the poverty rate.

“We have a pressing need for this commission,” Sen. Errington said. “Our state is handicapped in dealing with poverty without a plan.”

In addition to establishing an overall plan for the reduction of childhood poverty, the commission’s responsibilities would include identifying and analyzing the occurrence of poverty in Indiana and determining the long term effects of poverty on a child. The commission would also be responsible for providing information on statewide public and private programs that address the concerns of childhood poverty and determine how costly childhood poverty is to Indiana cities. The commission is drafted to be funded by private entities, but could be partially funded by government grants. 

Errington said she believes a 50 percent reduction of childhood poverty could be achieved by the implementation of a plan developed and presented by the commission. The plan would provide provisions for educational opportunities, affordable housing initiatives, childcare and early education programs, and access to affordable health care. One focus could be to streamline public and private programs to better assist all those who are affected by childhood poverty. 

The chairperson of the commission would be the Dean of the Indiana University School of Social Work, or his appointed designee. The Indiana General Assembly and various state agencies would be represented on the commission. 

Poverty reduction targets are the recommended course of action to be taken by state legislatures according to the Center for Law and Social Policy (CLASP). According to a CLASP report, targets are most useful with ongoing collective action, such as the attention the commission would provide.

For more information on Senator Errington, her legislative agenda or other State Senate business call    1-800-382-9467 or visit www.senatedemocrats.in.gov.