Ron Bacon

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, approximately 3.8 million sport-related concussions are reported each year throughout the country. Because student-athletes’ brains are still developing, concussions can cause serious, long-term damage when not properly treated. As we near the start of the school year and more sports seasons start, it is important to be mindful of student-athlete safety.

Concussions can be caused by hard hits to the head or body, which can happen in a variety of sports. Indiana’s concussion-related law works to help protect students in these situations. Coaches and assistant coaches of students in grades 5-12 who participate in interscholastic sports complete concussion certification courses to recognize the signs and symptoms of concussions. Schools also distribute concussion information sheets to parents and student-athletes.

Parents can also help protect their children by knowing the signs often associated with head injuries, like confusion, forgetfulness, clumsiness, loss of consciousness, or mood and behavior changes. Athletes with a possible concussion may also experience symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, balance problems, sensitivity to light or trouble concentrating.

If a student shows any of these signs during or after a practice or competition, they should receive immediate medical attention. Students, parents, and coaches should not try to determine the severity of a head injury on their own.

It is also important for a student to have time to recover if they sustain a hard hit that may have caused injury. Potential brain damage could result if an athlete tries to return to their sport too soon after a concussion. Under Indiana law, a student-athlete with a suspected concussion must be removed from play. They cannot return to their sport until 24 hours pass, and a health care provider trained in concussions and head injuries signs a release giving them clearance to participate.

The St. Vincent Sports Concussion Alliance in Evansville has helpful information and resources on concussion symptoms, awareness, and prevention. You can learn more by visiting stvincentevansville.org or calling 812-403-DING (3464).

A new law allows certain products derived from industrial hemp, like CBD oil, to be sold and used in Indiana. Although Hoosiers can now legally use this alternative medical treatment option, some questions remain about CBD and the new law, which I would like to help clear up.

What is CBD? Cannabidiol is a compound refined from industrial hemp, which is a specialized cannabis plant strain with very low levels of tetrahydrocannabinol. Because of the low THC levels, CBD cannot be used as a recreational drug.

Why is CBD used for medical treatment? While many patients can manage their conditions with traditional medication, there are other desperate Hoosiers who do not respond well to traditional therapies. CBD oil has shown promise in helping alleviate and control the symptoms of many diseases. Studies have shown that CBD provides antipsychotic affects that could help those suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder, schizophrenia and obsessive compulsive disorder. CBD also has natural pain relief and anti-inflammatory properties. In public hearings, many parents expressed how it helps their children experiencing seizures.

Additionally, sometimes powerful prescription medications used to treat patients with epilepsy, Parkinson’s disease or other disorders can have harmful side effects. In some cases, CBD can be used as a milder alternative.

Is it legal to use CBD? A new law legalizes the marketing, possession and use of CBD products for all Hoosiers. Under the law, only CBD containing 0.3 percent or less of THC can be used legally. Other states have different laws regarding the use of CBD and other cannabis-derived medicines, so it is important to check THC levels before purchasing CBD to make sure the product meets Indiana standards.

If your employer conducts drug tests, it is also important to check their policy before starting treatment with CBD. Legalizing access to CBD gives Hoosiers more options for their medical treatment when used safely.

Our area is home to great schools and hardworking, talented student-athletes. The Castle High School archery team recently wrapped up a historic season, keeping the winning tradition alive and once again making their school, our community and the state of Indiana proud of their accomplishments.

The Knights topped off an undefeated regular season by winning the state, national and world titles, and being the highest scoring team in the bulls-eye division in all three championship tournaments. Their incredible success and undeniable talent make Castle’s team one of the best in the world.

This year’s history-making team consisted of 60 co-ed archers who started practicing for their season in mid-November, working toward another successful year. The regular season started in January, and the team competed, on average, in three tournaments each month. In their 12 regular season competitions, the Knights went undefeated.

Following the regular season, the team competed in the National Archery in the Schools Program state tournament. Castle came out on top and won first place for the 11th time in the team’s short, 12-year history.

The win at the state level qualified the Knights for NASP’s 16th Eastern National Tournament, where more than 14,000 students from over 200 schools across the country competed in the three-day event in Louisville, Kentucky. Castle scored 3,428 points and earned the top achievement at the national level for the first time ever. All 24 members of the team who competed in the event won a $1,000 scholarship from Academy Sports and Outdoors, American Whitetail Targets and Eastern Archery.

With their outstanding performance at nationals, the team extended their season to the 2018 NASP World Tournament. Rounding out their perfect season, Castle once again proved their talent and won the championship with a score of 3,454 points.

At the high school level, archery is still a growing sport here in Indiana and throughout the country, but Castle is already making a name for themselves as one of the best in the world. I know our community will continue supporting these student-athletes, and I congratulate the entire team on their incredible season.

Recently, legislators returned to the Statehouse for a one-day special session. The governor called for this meeting of the General Assembly to wrap-up a few critical issues left on the table at the conclusion of the regular session in March. During the efficient and focused special session day, legislators voted on an important bill addressing school safety.

Increasing school safety and providing peace of mind for children, parents, and educators is important. A new law enacted during special session puts more protections in place for Hoosier students. The legislation appropriates up to an additional $5 million to the Indiana Secured School Safety Grant Fund, which supports initiatives aimed at keeping schools safe and secure. This is on top of the $45 million in state grants awarded to local districts for safety upgrades. The measure also ensures school safety specialists are trained in how to identify, prevent and intervene in the actions of a person who has the intent to harm others on school property.

The law also implements a new protocol in the event of a fire alarm. If the alarm goes off unplanned, school employees are able to block or barricade classroom doors while the alarm is investigated by a designated school official. This change was made to prevent attacks using tactics like in the Parkland shooting.

The new law also implements protections against human trafficking to help keep students safe. In 2016, more than 180 human trafficking victims were identified in Indiana. To help reduce that number, certain school employees will be trained on how to identify, report and prevent human trafficking. The Department of Education, State Board of Education and school corporations will also provide resources for the prevention of human trafficking and cyberbullying on their websites.

Recently, I attended the Right to Life of Southwest Indiana’s annual banquet. The banquet is one of the largest pro-life events in the country, with more than 2,000 people coming together to celebrate life and stand strong in protecting those without a voice. I believe in defending the unborn and consistently support pro-life proposals as a member of the General Assembly. Like many others across the world, I was heartbroken by the story of young Alfie Evans, which recently went viral.

Alfie Evans was a British toddler battling a rare and life-threatening condition, which required him to be on a ventilator. Alfie’s parents had to fight for his treatment and became involved in an increasingly complex legal dispute with his doctors over what should be done to keep him alive.

Recently, a court sided with doctors and ruled that since young Alfie could not sustain his life on his own, his ventilator should be removed, even against his parents’ wishes. Britain’s High Court of Justice and the doctors at his hospital determined it was best to completely stop treatment for Alfie since there were no signs of improvement. The hospital did not want to provide him with any continued care, and the British government prevented his family from seeking treatment abroad, even after Italy granted the child citizenship.

In this sad situation, government control of the healthcare system pitted the odds against Alfie and did not allow his family to explore other options to try saving his life. Alfie recently passed away because of the inaction of the hospital, and all control was taken away from his parents.

A baby shouldn’t be sentenced to death because a government determines what is in his or her best interest. In 2016, the Indiana General Assembly passed legislation to help offer more options to terminally ill patients like Alfie. Under the law, patients under certain conditions, with physician approval, can try experimental drugs, biological products or devices if they do not have comparable or satisfactory treatment options. Patients can qualify for experimental treatments if they are diagnosed with a terminal illness and the treatment option does not have a probable risk greater than the condition.

This is not the first or last time Britain will face this type of circumstance, which is a result of their system of socialized medicine. People deserve the opportunity to try potentially life-saving options when they are available, just as Alfie’s family deserved the opportunity to help him continue fighting. In the United States, citizens have the ability to make their own decisions regarding their health care, and that is something we should be thankful for and protect.
I send my thoughts and prayers to Alfie’s family and any family forced into this devastating situation.

Citizens are integral members of the legislative process, and your participation is essential to understanding the needs of our community. There are many ways my office can be of help to those in Pike, Spencer and Warrick counties.
Constituents can contact my office year-round with any questions, comments or input they have on a variety of topics.

Oftentimes, individuals have questions about tax refunds, obtaining unemployment and veteran benefits, road and highway obstructions, and environmental concerns, and they aren’t sure where to turn. If you face any of these issues, you can contact me by calling 317-232-9833 or emailing [email protected]. My office will use our resources at state agencies to help point you in the right direction.

Staying connected and informed throughout the year is also important. A convenient way to do this is through signing up for my electronic newsletters. The newsletters are sent out regularly and highlight events happening in southwest Indiana, legislation going through the process, information about the General Assembly and state agencies, and other important news about our area. You can sign up to receive these email updates by visiting www.in.gov/h75.

Social media is another great tool for staying informed about what is happening at the Statehouse and throughout Indiana. You can connect with Indiana House Republicans on Facebook by searching “INHouseGOP” and on Twitter at the handle @INHouseGOP. My website can be found at www.in.gov/h75 and provides helpful links to House Republican podcasts, blog posts, videos and press releases.

As your elected official, it is my duty and responsibility to serve you to the best of my ability. The information you share helps me make decisions on legislation affecting our community. I encourage you to continue staying in contact and expressing your ideas.

After a long, snowy winter, we are finally starting to catch a glimpse of the warmer months ahead. As we start to see signs of spring and head outdoors more often, it is important to take precautions to stay safe, especially when riding on off-road vehicles.

In our area, many Hoosiers enjoy exploring on all-terrain vehicles like four wheelers, mini bikes, dirt bikes, go-karts and utility vehicles. While these machines can be used for recreational activities, they can also be extremely dangerous if not operated properly and if certain safety measures are not followed. This is especially true with children.

In 2016, there were 22 deaths resulting from off-road vehicle accidents, and in a majority of these cases, the victims were not wearing helmets. To help reduce this number and protect the lives of young Hoosiers, last year I co-authored legislation requiring helmets for children operating off-road vehicles. The purpose of this legislation was to bring awareness to proper safety precautions and educate younger generations on the importance of wearing helmets.

Since the law went into effect in July 2017, there have not been any ATV-related deaths of children under the age of 18. This is an incredible statistic and something that we all want to continue.

In addition to wearing a helmet, there are other steps Hoosiers can take to have a safer ride. The Indiana Department of Natural Resources website offers many helpful resources, like a handbook of off-road vehicle laws and safe operating procedures, video demonstrations of ATV safety tips, and general information on motorized recreation.

The handbook provided by the DNR covers what to know before riding, a list of essential safety gear, a code of safety, and many more tips on how to protect yourself and others while behind the wheel of an ATV.

On the website, Hoosiers can also find the official Indiana off-road vehicle safety course. While the course is not required to operate an ATV, it contains valuable information covering safe off-roading practices. All of this information and more can be found online at www.in.gov/dnr. Let’s do what we can to stay safe while enjoying all that southwest Indiana has to offer. I

The 2018 legislative session recently concluded, and lawmakers worked to enact new policies strengthening workforce development and allowing Sunday alcohol sales.

Indiana spends $1 billion on 30 workforce programs across nine state agencies. New legislation will re-evaluate workforce-related programs using return-on-investment metrics enacted in 2017. This legislation also doubles funding for workforce training grants to better connect Hoosier workers with high-demand, high-wage jobs. Gov. Eric Holcomb is now considering this as a new law.

Under this measure, a Next Level Workforce Training and Development Fund would be established to ensure investments are made into these programs each year. To connect Hoosier employees and jobseekers with state resources, the Indiana Department of Workforce Development would begin informing local school officials and students on grants and programs that are available.

In our region alone, there are nearly 6,000 job openings. Whether you are looking for a better-paying job or trying to find skilled employees, Next Level Jobs has the resources to help. Visit www.nextleveljobs.org to learn more.

Another new law allows Sunday alcohol sales. For many years, liquor store owners opposed Sunday sales in fear they would lose market share to supermarkets and other stores.

At the start of session, our community members responded to legislative surveys providing feedback on certain issues. Results show 60 percent of respondents supported Sunday alcohol sales. With the majority of the community wanting this change, lawmakers passed a law allowing alcohol to be sold from noon to 8 p.m. on Sundays.

It is important we do our best to continue taking Indiana to the next level. I worked hard during the last 10 weeks to advocate for our community and better ensure a thriving Indiana.