On Monday, April 12, Governor Mitch Daniels will hold a ceremonial signing for “Heather’s Law,” a bill designed to encourage schools to effectively address issues of dating violence. Senate Enrolled Act (SEA) 316 is named for Heather Norris, who was brutally murdered by her estranged high school boyfriend in 2007. State Senator Earline Rogers (D-Gary) was the primary author of the legislation. She was joined on the bill by Senators Dennis Kruse (R-Auburn), Tim Lanane (D-Anderson), and Vi Simpson (D-Bloomington), and Representatives Gregory Porter (D-Indianapolis) and Robert Behning (R-Indianapolis).
Heather’s Law requires the Indiana Department of Education, in collaboration with organizations that have expertise in dating violence, domestic violence and sexual abuse, to develop or identify model dating violence educational materials, and model dating violence response and reporting policies. The department will be required to make these models available by July 1, 2011, to assist schools with the implementation of dating violence education programs and policies for grades 6 through 12.
The driving force for passage of SEA 316 was Debbie Norris, mother of Heather Norris. Since Heather’s murder, Debbie has campaigned for expanded teen dating violence education in an effort to protect more young people from the death suffered by her daughter. Debbie Norris, family members and friends will be in attendance at the ceremonial bill signing. Heather’s Law was developed through a collaboration of community service providers including Domestic Violence Network, Indiana Coalition Against Sexual Assault, Indiana Coalition Against Domestic Violence, Children’s Bureau, Washington Township Schools, and the Indiana Department of Education.
The ceremonial signing of Heather’s Law will take place on Monday, April 12, 2010 at 2:30 p.m., in the Governor’s Office, 200 West Washington Street, Indianapolis, Indiana.
For more information on Sen. Rogers or other State Senate business, call 1-800-382-9467 or visit www.senatedemocrats.in.gov. For more information on the Domestic Violence Network call 317-872-1086 or visit www.dvnconnect.org.