On February 5, 2019 proposed legislation to allow some incarcerated parents to better maintain involvement in their child’s life passed Indiana legislative committee and now heads to the full House.
The bill, authored by Rep. Karlee Macer (D-Indianapolis), allows the court to consider whether the parent continues to play a meaningful role in the child’s life. (Indiana has one of the highest rates of incarcerated parents.)
Kristine Bunch, who spent 17 years in prison for a crime she did not committ, testified in support of the bill, saying the contact she was able to have with her child was important to her and her son.