Legislative Session 2025

Your voice matters.

Right now, important decisions are being made at the Indiana Statehouse that affect people with disabilities, their families, and support professionals across our state. The 2025 legislative session began January 8 and runs through April 29, and your voice is crucial in shaping policies that impact our community.

When legislators hear personal stories from Hoosiers, it makes a difference. As The Arc of Indiana notes, phone calls from constituents during legislative sessions can significantly influence how representatives vote on critical issues. Your experiences and perspectives help lawmakers understand the real-world impact of their decisions.

Staying informed is the first step to effective advocacy. Visit the Indiana General Assembly website to view all active bills for the 2025 session. Active bills are highlighted in blue, making them easy to spot. The site updates regularly as bills move through committees and chambers.

For disability-specific legislation, several organizations provide focused bill tracking services. The Arc of Indiana maintains regular updates on bills affecting the disability community, and you can sign up for their legislative alerts to stay informed.

Once you've identified bills that matter to you, here's how to make your voice heard:

1. Use the Find Your Legislator tool by entering your home address. This will tell you exactly who represents you in both the House and Senate.
2. You can reach your state senator by email using the format s(district number)@iga.in.gov, and your representative at h(district number)@iga.in.gov. For phone calls, reach the Indiana Senate at (800) 382-9467.

Tips for being a good advocate:

• Be clear and direct; if you're making phone calls, write down your thoughts before hand.
• Share your personal story and connection to the issue.
• Be specific about which bill you're discussing and your position.
• Always remain respectful, even if you disagree.
• Follow up after your initial contact, especially if you are only able to leave a voice message.
• Thank legislators who support your position.

Remember: the legislative process moves quickly. Bills must meet certain deadlines to remain active. Committee hearings often happen with short notice, so set reminders to check for updates to help you stay ready to act when it matters most.

Take action today:

• Visit iga.in.gov to identify bills that matter to you.
• Find your legislators and save their contact information.
• Share this information with others in our community.
• Start reaching out to your representatives about bills that matter to you.

Your perspective is valuable, and your voice deserves to be heard. Together, we can ensure that developmental disability is represented in every legislative decision. Don't wait – the session is happening now, and your engagement can make a real difference.