Author Senator Ed Charbonneau, (R-Valparaiso), spoke before the Senate Chamber last Thursday to testify on his Senate Bill 4. Charbonneau said the bill seeks to bring more state funding and assistance to local health departments.
Indiana’s public health rankings have fallen short recently. In Governor Eric Holcomb’s proposed budget, he announced wanting to invest $240 billion in public health due to Indiana being ranked 45th in the nation for public health funding.
Additionally, according to the Governor’s Public Health Commission, “Since 2000, the state budget only provides $6.7-$6.9 million of direct funding each year to local health departments.”
With these concerns in mind, over 20 senators are listed as authors and sponsors of the bill, crossing party lines.
If passed completely through the House and turned into law, SB 4 would “require each local board of health to establish a local public health services fund to receive state funding” and allow the Indiana State Health Department to offer guidance to smaller local health departments. The bill also covers such matters as the creation of new local health departments, vision tests in schools and more.
The bill passed out of the Senator with a vote of 41-7.
Indiana News Powered by Franklin College Journalism Students—Ashlyn Myers
Gov. Braun paves the way for economic, tourism growth in Kokomo through READI
Governor Braun proclaims Indiana Rail Safety Week September 21-27
State unemployment rate remains below national average
Indiana weekly gas price update
USDA announces 2026 and 2027 enrollment for key price and revenue safety net programs, first base acre increase in two decades
Gov. Braun continues to deliver on promise to keep local governments whole during gas tax holiday
Indiana Farm Bureau Insurance announces 2027 summer internship program
