Stateline Vol. 28, No. 1 • January 2019 MidwestTHE MIDWESTERN OFFICE OF THE COUNCIL OF STATE GOVERNMENTS INSIDE NEW FOR 2019 See page 11 for our new section on the Bowhay ’Victim-centered’ approach Institute for Legislative Leadership Development (BILLD) — alumni news, articles from BILLD scholars and key upcoming dates New policies on sexual assault, from handling of rape kits to new supports in hospitals, being implemented across Midwest CSG Midwest Issue Briefs 2-3 • Health & Human Services: Illinois law puts by Tim Anderson (
[email protected]) new limits on ‘skinny’ health plans • Criminal Justice & Public Safety: ‘Excessive’ s she’s worked on policies to improve fines case from Indiana heard by Supreme Court LB 43 includes these provisions as well.) how her state handles sexual assault State laws in Midwest • Agriculture & Natural Resources: New farm Also last year, Illinois legislators adopted investigations and helps victims, mandating that rape kits bill provides some certainty in uncertain times A new requirements for how sexual assault Nebraska Sen. Kate Bolz has talked to be tested • Great Lakes: Michigan lays groundwork for victims are cared for in the hospital. advocacy groups and consulted with experts. new pipeline beneath Straits of Mackinac Under HB 5245, hospital emergency But she also has in her mind a constitu- rooms must have a staff member who Around the Region 4 ent, a survivor who approached her after a has received training on how to collect town-hall meeting. A look at new studies on budgets and what physical evidence, respond to the medical they say about the Midwest’s fiscal conditions “She was so young and had been so and psychological needs of a survivor, and hurt by her circumstance,” Bolz says, “and testify in court.