Students, teachers, administrators and advocates from across Indiana and the United States rallied together in support of House Bill 1130.
“We have been working on this for over 20 years,” remarked Diana Hadley, Indiana High School Press Association executive director.
“It’s a relief to finally see it move forward.”
House Bill 1130 was authored by Rep. Edward Clere (R-New Albany).
The co-authors to the bill are Rep.’s Ed Delaney (D-Indianapolis), Rep. Sheila Klinker (D-Lafayette), and Jim Lucas (R-Seymour).
The students were assembled in the House chamber by 8:30a.m. on Tuesday, February 14th, but did not get to testify until after 11a.m.
Then, they stole the show. 
Students from around the state testified about how the ability to write and publish free from administrative review has made them better journalists.
Teachers and administrators then painted a real-life picture of the problems that student press censorship can cause.
The testimony was so prolific that the House education committee session had to adjourn, and additional thoughts were heard on Thursday, February 16th.
Finally, after hours of suspense, the bill passed with unanimous support from the House Education Committee, 13-0.
Hadley said, “it’s not over yet; we still have to get the bill through the Senate. I’m not going to count my chickens before they hatch.”
House Bill 1130 must now pass third reading in the House prior to its referral to the Senate.
Senators Brandt Hershman (R-Buck Creek), and Eddie Melton (D-Merrillville), have already agreed to serve as sponsors if the bill passes the House.
Read the entire story, play-by-play, at the Hoosier State Press Association’s twitter page.
