Urgent: Indiana's Dangerous Legislative Bills and How You Can Help
Indiana is currently facing a series of legislative bills that pose significant risks to survivors and their children. When legislation passes in one state, it makes it much easier to pass in others. For this reason, it is critical that we have all hands on deck whether someone lives in Indiana or not. It is much more powerful for Indiana residents to contact their representatives however, it is also powerful for us to let them know that the whole world is watching.
Below, I break down several key pieces of legislation, highlighting their details and the representatives involved.
Indiana Residents: click here to find your representative and select “Senate” for Senate bills and “House” for House bills.
Out of State Residents:
2025 Legislative Bills
1. House Bill 1684: No Fault Divorce
Summary: House Bill 1684, introduced by Rep. Timothy Wesco, establishes additional requirements for granting a divorce when minor children are involved, and irretrievable breakdown of the marriage is the sole ground for dissolution.
Concerns: This bill raises significant concerns for victims of domestic abuse, particularly those seeking to leave an abusive marriage while protecting their children. Here are the primary concerns:
1. Additional Hurdles for Victims Seeking Divorce
Requiring a third-party witness to testify about the irretrievable breakdown of the marriage places an extra burden on victims who may already struggle to leave an abusive situation.
Many victims do not disclose abuse to family, friends, or even professionals, making it difficult to secure a qualified witness.
If the abuser controls family finances, the victim may not have access to a licensed counselor who can provide testimony.
2. Power Imbalance and Control
Abusers often use legal systems to maintain control over their victims (legal abuse).
This bill could give abusers another tool to delay or block a divorce, forcing victims to stay in dangerous situations longer.
3. Risk of Retaliation
If a victim has to produce a witness or show cause in court, the abuser may retaliate with intimidation, coercion, or violence.
Victims may be too fearful to involve others, especially if the abuser has isolated them from support networks.
4. Impact on Custody and Safety of Children
Delaying or complicating the divorce process increases the risk to children who may be exposed to continued domestic violence.
Courts often fail to recognize coercive control or non-physical forms of abuse, making it harder for victims to justify their need for divorce.
5. Potential Violation of No-Fault Divorce Protections
No-fault divorce laws exist to protect individuals from needing to prove wrongdoing to end a marriage.
By requiring additional testimony or justification, this bill adds barriers that contradict the principle of autonomy in marriage dissolution.
This bill could disproportionately harm victims of domestic abuse by making it more difficult, expensive, and dangerous to leave an abusive marriage. It could also empower abusers to further manipulate the legal system to maintain control over their victims and children.
2. House Bill 1067: Joint Custody
Summary: Authored by Rep. Dale Devon, with co-authors Rep. Julie McGuire and Rep. Jake Teshika, this bill mandates that biological parents have joint legal custody unless otherwise provided by law. It requires courts to award joint legal custody unless it’s not in the child’s best interest. The bill creates a presumption for equal parenting time, which can only be rebutted by proving that equal time would be detrimental to the child.
Concerns: This bill could force unsafe situations for children and non-abusive parents in cases involving domestic violence (DV), sexual assault (SA), and disabilities.
Action Needed: We must advocate against this bill. It cannot be allowed to pass without considering the safety and well-being of children in abusive situations. We need a system that prioritizes children's rights over parental rights.
3. House Bill 1090: Joint Child Custody
Summary: Authored by Rep. Victoria Garcia Wilburn, this legislation states that courts shall order joint physical and legal custody unless clear evidence shows it’s not in the child’s best interest. It also makes false allegations against a parent a factor in custody determinations.
Concerns: This bill risks endangering children by disregarding the complexities of abuse cases, potentially discouraging the reporting of genuine abuse due to fear of repercussions.
Action Needed: Contact your representatives and express your opposition to this bill. Children’s safety must come first.
4. House Bill 1627
Summary: Sponsored by Rep. Chris Judy and co-authored by Rep. Chris Jeter and Rep. Heath VanNatter, this bill requires courts to include their findings of fact and conclusions of law in custody orders.
Concerns: This legislation could enable judges to overlook abuse and disabilities, pushing for 50/50 custody arrangements without considering the best interests of the child.
Action Needed: Demand that this bill be dismantled. Accountability in the courts is essential for fair outcomes.
5. Senate Bill 72
Summary: Authored by Sen. Dan Dermulc, Sen. James Tomes, and Sen. Rick Niemeyer, with co-author Sen. Mike Bohacek, this bill prevents disciplinary sanctions against practitioners if the complaint is deemed retaliatory for their testimony in custody cases.
Concerns: This legislation could lead to unchecked abuse by evaluators and therapists, allowing them to operate without accountability.
Action Needed: Speak out against SB 72. We cannot allow professionals to evade responsibility for their actions.
6. House Bill 1350
Summary: Sponsored by Rep. Carolyn Jackson and co-authored by Rep. Vermon Smith, this bill adds judges to the list of persons immune from civil liability for certain acts related to electronic monitoring standards.
Concerns: This immunity could shield judges from accountability for gross negligence or willful misconduct, especially in sensitive child custody matters.
Action Needed: Advocate for the dismantling of blanket immunity for judges. We need a system that holds everyone accountable.
7. House Bill 1107
Summary: Authored by Rep. Victoria Garcia Wilburn, Rep. Lori Gross-Reeves, and Rep. Elizabeth Rowray, this bill establishes the family recovery court fund for cases involving abuse or neglect with a parent suffering from substance use disorders.
Concerns: Adding more funding to an already corrupt system will not address the underlying issues and could perpetuate harm to families.
Action Needed: Oppose this funding initiative. We need real solutions, not more money funneled into problematic systems.
TEMPLATE EMAIL OR LETTER (change details to personalize and target each bill):
The Honorable [Legislator’s Name]
[Legislator’s Office Address]
[City, State, ZIP Code]
RE: Opposition to House Bill 1684 – Risks to Domestic Abuse Survivors
Dear [Legislator’s Name],
I am writing to express my strong opposition to House Bill 1684, which introduces additional barriers to obtaining a divorce when minor children are involved. While I understand the intent of preserving family stability, this bill creates dangerous consequences for victims of domestic abuse by making it more difficult for them to leave unsafe marriages.
Requiring a third-party witness to testify to the irretrievable breakdown of a marriage or demanding justification for divorce places unnecessary burdens on survivors of abuse. Many victims suffer in silence, often without the ability to disclose their abuse to family, friends, or professionals. This bill could:
Give abusers more control over the legal process, delaying or blocking divorce as a form of coercion.
Force victims to remain in dangerous situations because they cannot secure a witness.
Increase the risk of retaliation for victims who attempt to involve others in their divorce proceedings.
Contradict the principles of no-fault divorce, which protect an individual’s right to leave a marriage without proving wrongdoing.
This bill does not protect children—it prolongs their exposure to family violence by making it harder for a parent to safely leave an abusive marriage. Instead of imposing additional obstacles, we should be working toward legislation that supports and protects domestic violence survivors and their children.
I urge you to oppose House Bill 1684 and consider the serious, unintended harm it could cause to vulnerable individuals seeking safety and autonomy. Please stand with survivors by rejecting this measure.
Thank you for your time and consideration. I appreciate your dedication to protecting families in our state.
#TheWholeWorldIsWatching Indiana
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
[Your Address]
[Your Email]
[Your Phone Number]
###
Contact Your Representatives: Call or email your state representatives, including the authors of these bills, and express your concerns about these dangerous legislative moves.
Reach Out to Local Leaders: Don’t hesitate to contact the Governor and your local Mayor. Let them know these bills are in the pipeline and completely unacceptable.
Spread the Word: Share this information with friends, family, and on social media. Awareness is key to driving change.
Together, we can make our voices heard and protect Indiana's families from these dangerous legislative moves.
Stay engaged, and let’s work together to ensure the safety and well-being of our children and communities. Your voice matters!
