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Indiana coronavirus updates: WHO chief says pandemic is ‘most certainly not over’

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Indiana coronavirus updates: WHO chief says pandemic is ‘most certainly not over’


The most recent updates on the coronavirus pandemic for Monday, Could 23, 2022.

INDIANAPOLIS — Listed below are Monday’s newest updates on the coronavirus pandemic, together with the most recent information on COVID-19 vaccinations and testing in Indiana.

Registrations for the vaccine at the moment are open for Hoosiers 5 and older by means of the Indiana State Division of Well being. This story will likely be up to date over the course of the day with extra information on the COVID-19 pandemic.

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This is the whole lot we all know concerning the COVID-19 vaccine

Biden administration launches covid.gov website

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WHO chief: The COVID pandemic is ‘most definitely not over’

The COVID-19 pandemic is “most definitely not over,” the pinnacle of the World Well being Group warned Sunday, regardless of a decline in reported circumstances for the reason that peak of the omicron wave. He instructed governments that “we decrease our guard at our peril.”

The U.N. well being company’s director-general, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, instructed officers gathered in Geneva for opening of the WHO’s annual assembly that “declining testing and sequencing means we’re blinding ourselves to the evolution of the virus.” He additionally famous that just about 1 billion individuals in lower-income international locations nonetheless have not been vaccinated.

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In a weekly report Thursday on the worldwide state of affairs, WHO stated the variety of new COVID-19 circumstances seems to have stabilized after weeks of decline since late March, whereas the general variety of weekly deaths dropped. 

Whereas there was progress, with 60% of the world’s inhabitants vaccinated, “it’s not over wherever till it’s over all over the place,” Tedros stated.

“Reported circumstances are growing in nearly 70 international locations in all areas, and this in a world during which testing charges have plummeted,” he added.

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Reported deaths are rising in Africa, the continent with the bottom vaccination protection, he stated, and solely 57 international locations — nearly all of them rich — have vaccinated 70% of their individuals.

MORE: WHO chief: The COVID pandemic is ‘most definitely not over’

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Newest US, world numbers

There have been greater than 83.28 million confirmed circumstances of COVID-19 in the USA as of two a.m. ET Monday, in accordance with Johns Hopkins College. There have been greater than 1,002,170 deaths recorded within the U.S.

Worldwide, there have been greater than 525.61 million confirmed coronavirus circumstances with greater than 6.27 million deaths and greater than 11.44 billion vaccine doses administered.

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For most individuals, the coronavirus causes gentle or reasonable signs. For some, particularly older adults and other people with present well being issues, it may well trigger extra extreme sickness like pneumonia, or demise.

US sees threat of COVID provide rationing with out extra funds

The White Home is planning for what it calls “dire” contingencies that would embrace rationing provides of vaccines and coverings this fall if Congress doesn’t approve more cash for preventing COVID-19. 

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Biden administration officers have been warning for weeks that the nation has spent almost all the cash authorized for COVID-19 response. The administration faces essential selections about how one can spend what’s left. 

In public feedback and personal conferences on Capitol Hill, Dr. Ashish Jha, the White Home coronavirus coordinator, has painted a darkish image during which the U.S. might be compelled to cede most of the advances made towards the coronavirus during the last two years and even probably the most susceptible might face provide shortages.

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The administration is weighing whether or not to make use of it to safe the subsequent technology of vaccines to guard the best threat populations or to prioritize extremely efficient therapies to cut back the dangers of extreme sickness and demise. 

Rationing might expose even probably the most susceptible to shortages.

That call could also be made within the coming week, in accordance with the administration, because the White Home faces imminent deadlines to start inserting orders for vaccines and coverings earlier than different nations soar forward of the U.S. in accessing provide.

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COVID-19 vaccine booster obtainable for Hoosiers age 5-11

The Indiana Division of Well being introduced Friday that Hoosiers age 5-11 at the moment are eligible for a booster dose of Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine following authorization this week from the FDA and CDC.

The IDOH is advising vaccine suppliers that they’ll start administering boosters of the Pfizer pediatric vaccine to kids within the age group whose final dose was administered not less than 5 months in the past.

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The Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine is presently the one one licensed for youngsters age 5-11.

You could find a vaccine location at ourshot.in.gov or by calling Indiana 211 (866-211-9966). Any website administering pediatric doses can administer a pediatric booster dose. Most websites settle for walk-ins.

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CDC advisers urge Pfizer booster for youngsters ages 5 to 11

Youngsters ages 5 to 11 ought to get a booster dose of Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine, advisers to the U.S. authorities stated Thursday.

If the Facilities for Illness Management and Prevention agrees, as anticipated, it could open a 3rd COVID-19 shot to wholesome elementary-age children — identical to what’s already advisable for everyone 12 and older.

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The hope is that an additional shot will shore up safety for youths ages 5 to 11 as infections as soon as once more are on the rise.

Earlier this week, the Meals and Drug Administration licensed Pfizer’s kid-sized booster, to be supplied not less than 5 months after the kids’ final shot.

The CDC takes the subsequent step of recommending who truly wants vaccinations. Its advisers debated if all in any other case wholesome 5- to 11-year-olds want an additional dose, particularly since so many kids have been contaminated in the course of the enormous winter surge of the omicron variant.

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However the U.S. now could be averaging 100,000 new circumstances a day for the primary time since February. And in the end, the CDC’s advisers pointed to rising proof from older children and adults that two main vaccinations plus a booster are offering the most effective safety towards the most recent coronavirus variants.

MORE: CDC advisers urge Pfizer booster for youngsters ages 5 to 11

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FDA authorizes at-home take a look at for COVID-19, flu and RSV

The U.S. Meals and Drug Administration has given the greenlight to the primary non-prescription COVID-19 take a look at that additionally detects the flu and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). 

The take a look at includes taking a nasal swab pattern at residence after which sending it to Labcorp for testing. Outcomes are then delivered by means of a web-based portal, with follow-up from a well being care supplier if it is a constructive or invalid take a look at outcome, the FDA defined in its announcement. 

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The take a look at can detect a number of respiratory viruses on the identical time, together with influenza A and B, generally often known as the flu, RSV, together with SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19. 

RSV is a standard virus that normally causes gentle, cold-like signs, in accordance with the CDC. Whereas most individuals get well in every week or two, it may be severe, particularly for infants and older adults, the company explains on its web site. RSV is the most typical reason behind bronchiolitis and pneumonia in children youthful than one.

Labcorp’s take a look at equipment will be bought on-line or in a retailer and not using a prescription and is designed for individuals 2 years and older.

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MORE: FDA authorizes at-home take a look at for COVID, flu and RSV

CDC encourages contemplating masks use indoors

COVID-19 circumstances are growing in the USA – and will get even worse over the approaching months, federal well being officers warned Wednesday in urging areas hardest hit to think about reissuing requires indoor masking.

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Rising numbers of COVID-19 infections and hospitalizations are placing extra of the nation below pointers issued by the U.S. Facilities for Illness Management and Prevention that decision for masking and different an infection precautions.

Proper now, a few third of the U.S. inhabitants lives in areas which might be thought of at increased threat — principally within the Northeast and Midwest. These are areas the place individuals ought to already be contemplating carrying masks indoors — however Individuals elsewhere must also take discover, officers stated.

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Monday, seven Indiana counties (Lawrence, Orange, Posey, Gibson, Vanderburgh, Warrick, and Spencer) the place listed by the CDC knowledge map as having “medium” neighborhood threat. Surrounding Indiana, the Louisville and Chicago metro areas are additionally deemed medium threat by the CDC.

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White Home providing extra 8 free COVID-19 assessments to public

The federal government web site for individuals to request free COVID-19 at-home assessments from the U.S. authorities is now accepting a 3rd spherical of orders.

The White Home introduced Tuesday that U.S. households can request an extra eight free at-home assessments to be shipped by the U.S. Postal Service.

President Joe Biden dedicated in January to creating 1 billion assessments obtainable to the general public freed from cost, together with 500 million obtainable by means of covidtests.gov. However simply 350 million of the quantity obtainable for ordering on-line have been shipped to this point to addresses throughout the continental U.S., its territories and abroad army bases, the White Home stated.

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Individuals who have problem getting on-line or need assistance inserting an order can name 1-800-232-0233 for help.

The third spherical brings to 16 the full variety of free assessments obtainable to every U.S. family for the reason that program began earlier this yr. Households have been eligible to obtain 4 assessments throughout every of two earlier rounds of ordering by means of the web site.

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2nd COVID-19 booster shot obtainable to Hoosiers 50 and up

The Indiana Division of Well being introduced Wednesday that Hoosiers age 50 and older, in addition to these 12 and older with weakened immune programs, at the moment are eligible to obtain a second mRNA COVID-19 booster shot not less than 4 months after their first booster dose.

The announcement comes sooner or later after the Meals and Drug Administration licensed an additional dose of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine for that age group and and sure youthful individuals with severely weakened immune programs.

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The Facilities for Illness Management and Prevention later advisable the additional shot as an possibility however stopped in need of urging that these eligible rush out and get it immediately.

The IDOH is advising vaccine suppliers that they’ll start administering second boosters of the Moderna and Pfizer vaccines to individuals who qualify.

The CDC additionally says that adults who acquired a main vaccine and booster dose of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine not less than 4 months in the past might now obtain a second booster dose of both mRNA vaccine.

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You could find a vaccine location at ourshot.in.gov or by calling Indiana 211 (866-211-9966). Appointments are advisable, however many websites do settle for walk-ins.

Marion County COVID-19 vaccination and take a look at clinics proceed

The Marion County Public Well being Division (MCPHD) continues to offer free COVID-19 vaccination and testing to anybody thinking about receiving these companies.

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MCPHD is working one COVID-19 testing website, which is a drive-thru clinic positioned at 3838 N. Rural St. in Indianapolis.

The clinic’s present hours are Monday-Friday from 8:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. This clinic provides PCR testing solely and no speedy testing. A listing of extra take a look at websites registered with the Indiana Division of Well being is offered at coronavirus.in.gov.

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Appointments for COVID-19 testing on the MCPHD location aren’t required however can be found by visiting marionhealth.org/indycovid or calling 317-221-5515.

MCPHD can be providing COVID-19 vaccines at its district well being workplaces, ACTION Well being Middle, and 4 different places in Marion County. Appointments for vaccines aren’t required however are advisable. 

Please go to ourshot.in.gov or name 2-1-1 to discover a vaccination clinic.

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Marion County clinic schedule

  • Northeast District Well being Workplace, 6042 E. twenty first St.
    Mondays: 12 p.m. – 4 p.m.
    Tuesdays: 3 p.m. – 7 p.m.
  • Eagledale Plaza Well being Workplace, 2802 Lafayette Highway
    Tuesdays: 8 a.m. – 12 p.m.
  • Northwest District Well being Workplace, 6940 N. Michigan Highway
    Thursdays: 3 p.m. – 7 p.m.
  • South District Well being Workplace, 7551 S. Shelby St.
    Mondays: 3 p.m. – 7 p.m.
    Fridays: 8 a.m. – 12 p.m.
  • ACTION Well being Middle, 2868 N. Pennsylvania St.
    Wednesdays: 3 p.m. – 5 p.m.
  • Martindale-Brightwood Public Library Department, 2435 N. Sherman Drive (ages 12-over solely)
    Tuesday by means of Friday: 10 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.
    Saturdays: 10 a.m. – 1 p.m.
  • School Avenue Public Library Department, 4180 N. School Ave. (ages 12-over solely)
    Tuesday by means of Friday: 10 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.
    Saturdays: 10 a.m. – 1 p.m.
  • East thirty eighth Road Public Library Department, 5420 E. thirty eighth St.  (ages 12-over solely)
    Tuesday by means of Friday: 10 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.
    Saturdays: 10 a.m. – 1 p.m.
  • IndyGo Carson Transit Middle, 201 E. Washington St.  (ages 12-over solely)
    Tuesdays: 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
    Wednesdays: 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
    Thursdays: 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.



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Indiana Fever linked to trade for 2-time All-Star

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Indiana Fever linked to trade for 2-time All-Star


Satou Sabally was immediately linked to the New York Liberty after announcing that she has played her final game for the Dallas Wings during Unrivaled Basketball’s media availability on Thursday. However, the Indiana Fever are another team who were recently mentioned as a possible trade suitor for the two-time All-Star, via Chloe Peterson of indystar.com.

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Sabally’s announcement was the primary discussion swirling around the WNBA world on Thursday. The Wings will have the option to core Sabally, which will likely lead to a trade given her comments on Thursday. The chances of Dallas simply letting Sabally walk in free agency while passing on the option to core her are slim, but Sabally will likely still end up with a new team for the 2025 season.

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The question is which team will she end up with? The defending-champion Liberty have Satou’s sister Nyara Sabally on the roster, so that may catch Satou’s attention. Joining an up-and-coming team like the Fever may also entice Satou, though.

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There will be other candidates aside from Indiana and New York, of course. The Fever and Liberty both make sense as possible trade destinations for Satou Sabally, however. At only 26 years old, Sabally features the ceiling of a true superstar. If she can stay healthy, Sabally can significantly impact any team she joins.

Fever could trade for Satou Sabally

Sabally would add more star-power alongside Caitlin Clark in Indiana. Clark instantly became one of the most popular players in the WNBA in her rookie season during the 2024 campaign. Adding a star or two would help Indiana, though.

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The Fever reached the postseason but were quickly eliminated in the first round. Indiana’s future remains bright, but they need to upgrade the roster around Clark. Sabally would turn the Fever into serious contenders.

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If the Liberty find a way to acquire Sabally, however, the rest of the WNBA may be in trouble. With Breanna Stewart, Sabrina Ionescu and Jonquel Jones already on the roster, the Liberty project to be a championship contender once again. Assuming Stewart returns, the Liberty will compete with or without Sabally, but adding her to the roster would turn New York into a super-team.

Sabally’s announcement on Thursday is already changing the landscape of the WNBA. Rumors will continue to swirl over the next few months. If Sabally is traded, which is seemingly expected at this point, whichever team acquires her will take a big step forward.

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Winter Weather Advisory issued for Friday morning across central Indiana

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Winter Weather Advisory issued for Friday morning across central Indiana


It was the coldest morning of the season so far across Central Indiana. For Indianapolis, we had our coldest temperatures since January 21, 2024 with a low of 5°. Crawfordsville and Columbus both had balmy lows of -8°. The clear skies, light winds and fresh snowpack allowed more heat to be released into the atmosphere. For tonight, it will still be chilly. But, we’ll have increasing clouds overnight ahead of our next snowmaker.

Tracking our next snow

This behemoth of a weather maker prompts winter headlines across several states across the United States. This includes Winter Storm Warnings from Raleigh, North Carolina through Dallas, Texas. Some spots in the northern Dallas suburbs could approach half an inch of snowfall overnight and into Friday. We’ll get our share of the snow Friday, too and it will come with commute impacts. Winter Weather Advisory kicks in at 4:00 a.m. Friday and sticks with us through 4:00 a.m. Saturday.

Most of the Friday morning commute should be okay. However, the tail-end of the commute could see some snow showers starting SW and west of Indianapolis. Because of this, a few slick spots can’t be ruled out but those will be few and far between. That activity will gradually spread NE throughout the morning and afternoon. It will become a steady snow from that time and stick around through the Friday p.m. commute. We anticipate that the p.m. commute will come with slowdowns and headaches. So plan ahead!

The snow will taper through the evening before exiting into the overnight hours. When all is said and done, most will end up with 2-4″ of snow. This will be the story through much of Central Indiana. Less snow likely further NW but more possible south and southeast. Those spots could approach 5.0″ in spots.

This will continue what has been a busy winter season for Central Indiana. Since October 1st, Indianapolis has 12.0″ of snow under its belt. Compared to last year’s 2.2″ to date, we have 10″ more snow overall. It’s the most snow to date in 11 years. A typical season (October 1st to May 1st) sees 25.5″ for Indianapolis.

Cold (and more snow) follow

The cold temperatures aren’t going anywhere following Friday’s snow. High temperatures in the 20s will be around through the weekend. We’ll “peak” with highs near 30° Sunday ahead of a frontal boundary. This clipper system could bring some snow showers Sunday night into Monday but those chances are low. If any snow were to occur, amounts would be low.

That will pass through late Sunday into Monday which will give us our next cold blast. Temperatures will tumble during the day Monday setting the stage for more cold. Highs in the teens on Tuesday and Wednesday as we remain dry. Lows in the single digits with subzero wind chills are also likely.

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Indiana bill would ban social media accounts for Hoosiers under age 16 without parental consent • Indiana Capital Chronicle

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Indiana bill would ban social media accounts for Hoosiers under age 16 without parental consent • Indiana Capital Chronicle


One year after Indiana policymakers enacted a law requiring pornography websites to verify users’ ages, a new bill seeks to further restrict Hoosiers under age 16 from creating social media accounts without “verified” parental permission. 

Senate Bill 11, authored by Republican Sen. Mike Bohacek, would require a social media operator like Facebook or TikTok to restrict a minor from accessing the site if they did not receive “verifiable parental consent” from the minor’s parent.

As currently drafted, the bill would additionally allow parents and legal guardians to sue social media providers if their child accesses a site without consent.

Sen. Mike Bohacek, R-Michiana Shores (Photo courtesy Indiana Senate Republicans)

Indiana’s attorney general could also issue a civil investigative demand if the office has “reasonable cause to believe” the law was violated. If a social media operator “fails to implement a verifiable parental consent method,” the attorney general would further be allowed to ask a judge to step in and stop a minor from accessing the site, and request a civil penalty of up to $250,000 for each violation, according to the bill.

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The bill was heard Wednesday in the Senate Judiciary Committee. Chairwoman Sen. Liz Brown, R-Fort Wayne, said the bill is expected to be amended and voted on by the committee next week.

“We’re not trying to regulate content, of what’s going on the various social media sites — that’s not what we’re trying to do,” said Bohacek, of Michiana Shores. “We’re looking to see, is just the fact that social media itself — regardless of the content that’s inside of it — is that, in and of itself, creating the mental health issues that we’re having right now with a lot of our kids? And I believe that’s what it is.”

The bill would be effective on July 1, if passed.

During the 2024 session, state lawmakers approved Senate Enrolled Act 17, requiring pornography websites to verify user ages. They hoped to keep children from accessing pornography, but adult content companies sued, arguing the law would be costly to implement and violate First Amendment and privacy rights.

A federal judge blocked enforcement last June before its intended July effectiveness date, but an appeals court later rolled back the preliminary injunction. The law is currently in effect while the litigation continues.

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Must get consent

Current bill language specifies that “verifiable parental consent” could be obtained “through a method that is reasonably designed to ensure that the person providing the consent is a parent or legal guardian of the minor user.” The proposal also mandates social media providers to establish a procedure to allow a parent or legal guardian to revoke their consent.

At least 10 states have passed laws requiring children’s access to social media be restricted or parental consent gained, and several states’ laws are currently on hold, according to the Age Verification Providers Association, a trade body representing age verification services providers.

What we’re trying to do is getting our kids supervised on this new space, social media, and whatever content their accessing.

– Sen. Mike Bohacek, R-Michiana Shores

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Bohacek said he already has multiple amendments to the bill, including to redefine social media, “because the definition we had originally was very, very broad.” The senator said the updated definition will make clear that sites requiring an account, username and password to access content would qualify. Platforms like YouTube, however — which do not necessarily require a user to sign in before accessing the website — would not be included.

Additionally, a provision in the bill to allow parents and guardians to file lawsuits against the companies if their child was subjected to bullying on the social media platform will be removed.

“We didn’t want to go down that road,” Bohacek said, referring to the bullying provision. “That’s going to be a little bit too much.”

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Another anticipated amendment would require the attorney general’s office to give social media companies up to 30 days to remedy violations before any civil action is taken.

“The goal is not to just find and punish and penalize. It’s not what we’re trying to do here,” Bohacek said. “What we’re trying to do is getting our kids supervised on this new space, social media, and whatever content their accessing. But then also, if you feel your child is mature enough, and you feel like you want to supervise them enough, then you simply give them access to do that. And there’s a process in here to do that.”

Will restrictions keep kids off social media?

Sen. Rodney Pol, D-Chesterton, questioned whether the bill would actually keep youth from creating online accounts. A virtual private network, or VPN, for example, could allow minors to bypass technology used by social media companies to detect a user’s age.

“If a child used a VPN application in order to get around the law, well, that’s no different than jaywalking or speeding,” Bohacek argued. “You know the law, you went around the law, you just didn’t get caught.”

Concerns were also raised by committee members about joint custody cases, in which one parent or guardian consents to a child’s social media account, but the other parent or guardian does not.

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Attorney general, adult websites clash in age verification lawsuit

Bohacek said he’d be willing to tweak the bill’s language to clarify that only “a” — meaning one — parent or guardian must provide their permission.

The Indiana Catholic Conference spoke in favor of the bill Wednesday evening. Only Chris Daley, representing the American Civil Liberties Union of Indiana, spoke in opposition.

He said the bill “clearly infringes on the First Amendment rights of Hoosiers 15 and down, to the degree that those rights attach at certain ages.” Daley pointed to similar laws in Arkansas and Ohio that judges have enjoined — put on hold — amid ongoing legal challenges. If Senate Bill 11 is approved, he expects the law “will eventually be blocked and overturned.”

“I think we all know that this bill will be challenged, and there’s no reason to believe that a court in Indiana — a trial court, federal trial court — will come to a different conclusion,” Daley said. “These cases in Arkansas and Ohio will be resolved, and that could be the appropriate time we all take action. Or, alternatively to that, we could try to do something meaningful.”

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Daley recommended for lawmakers to instead invest in mental health resources for Hoosier youth and focus on educating parents “on steps they can take already” to curb their kids’ internet access.

Brown and other Republicans on the committee pushed back.

“All we’re trying to do here, in my opinion … is to try to give parents a tool which they don’t currently have,” Brown said.

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