Representative Maureen Bauer

10/10/2026

I am proud to join women legislators in 16 states across the country in a coordinated effort to close gaps in sexual assault laws that can leave survivors without adequate legal protections simply because they voluntarily consumed alcohol or another substance.

A person does not surrender their right to consent because they chose to drink. Yet gaps in state laws can create barriers to holding perpetrators accountable.

As an Indiana legislator, I am working to close this gap in our state’s sexual assault laws and ensure survivors are protected regardless of how they became intoxicated.

🔗: Read more about our coordinated effort in The National Law Review:

https://natlawreview.com/press-releases/women-legislators-16-states-unite-close-voluntary-intoxication-loophole


Vote Run Lead

10/08/2026

Instead of waiting for the law to catch up, I’m taking action.

I am drafting legislation to address the voluntary-intoxication gap in Indiana’s sexual assault law, joining women legislators across 19 states in a coordinated effort to address gaps in legal protections and accountability.

Consent should not depend on how someone became intoxicated.

A person can drink. They can party. They can flirt. They can change their mind. None of those choices are permission for sexual activity.

Survivors should not have fewer protections under the law simply because they voluntarily consumed a substance.

Intoxication is not consent. Indiana law should reflect that.
Vote Run Lead

10/08/2026

📖 Know before you go!

Two questions on your November ballot deserve your attention.

In addition to voting for candidates, Indiana voters will decide whether to make two changes to our state Constitution. I want to help explain what these questions mean so you can make an informed decision.

PUBLIC QUESTION #1:
BAIL AND PUBLIC SAFETY

Currently, Indiana’s Constitution guarantees the right to bail for people charged with crimes except for murder or treason.

This amendment would allow judges to deny bail for other criminal charges if the evidence is strong and the state proves, by clear and convincing evidence, that no conditions of release would reasonably protect another person or the community.

Voting YES: Expands a judge’s authority to hold someone in jail while awaiting trial when these public safety requirements are met.

Voting NO: Keeps the current constitutional protections for bail in place.

How do other states handle this?

According to the National Conference of State Legislatures, 33 states allow judges to deny bail before trial under certain circumstances beyond the traditional capital-offense exception. Of those, 24 states have amended their constitutions to expand when bail may be denied, while nine others do not have an affirmative constitutional right to bail.

Michigan is one example. Its Constitution allows judges to deny bail for certain serious crimes beyond murder and treason, including first-degree criminal sexual conduct (serious sexual assault), kidnapping for ransom or extortion, armed robbery, certain repeat violent felony offenses, and violent felonies committed while someone is already out on bail, probation, or parole for another violent felony.

Each state has different requirements and protections. Unlike Michigan, Indiana’s proposed amendment does not identify specific crimes. Instead, it would allow judges to deny bail when the required legal standards concerning the evidence and public safety are met.

✔️Why might someone support it?

Supporters argue that judges need greater authority to protect victims and the public when someone presents a serious danger before a trial takes place.

❌Why might someone oppose it?

Opponents raise concerns about the presumption of innocence, the possibility of people being held in jail before being convicted, and whether decisions about someone’s potential dangerousness could be applied unfairly.

PUBLIC QUESTION #2:
WHERE CITY AND TOWN COURT JUDGES CAN LIVE

Currently, Indiana’s Constitution requires city and town court judges to live in the city or town where they serve.

This amendment would allow those judges to live anywhere in the county where their court is located or in the closest bordering Indiana county.

Voting YES: Expands where city and town court judges may live.

Voting NO: Keeps the existing requirement that these judges live in the city or town where they serve.

✔️Why might someone support it?

Supporters argue that smaller communities, particularly rural towns, can struggle to find qualified attorneys willing to serve as judges. Expanding residency requirements could increase the number of eligible candidates.

❌Why might someone oppose it?

Opponents may believe judges should live in the communities they serve to maintain a direct connection with residents and local concerns.

WHY THIS MATTERS

These are proposed amendments to the Indiana Constitution, not ordinary laws. Changes to our Constitution have lasting implications and deserve careful consideration.

Whether you vote YES or NO on either question, I encourage you to understand what is being proposed before heading to the polls on November 3.

An informed voter is an empowered voter.

10/07/2026

Great news for St. Joseph County during Domestic Violence Awareness Month. 💜

The St. Joseph County Prosecutor’s Office has been awarded $171,285.95 through the STOP Violence Against Women Grant Program.

This funding will help strengthen our local response to domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault and stalking, supporting the work of prosecutors, law enforcement, courts and victim service providers.

I’m grateful for the professionals and advocates in our community who do this work every day, helping survivors find safety, support and a path forward.

This is part of nearly $4 million in STOP funding awarded across Indiana this year to strengthen services and coordinated responses for survivors.

I’m especially glad to see these resources coming home to St. Joseph County. 💜

10/04/2026

Today we walked together at the St. Joseph and Marshall County Out of the Darkness Walk with the American Foundation for Su***de Prevention- Indiana Chapter remembering those we have lost to su***de and standing with everyone who has struggled or continues to struggle with their mental health.

There is so much power in a community showing up for one another, reminding people they are not alone, and making it easier to talk openly about mental health and su***de prevention.

Thank you to the City of South Bend staff who helped make today possible, and to Mayor James Mueller for coming out and walking alongside our community.

10/01/2026

Today, October 1, marks the beginning of the three-month lookback period for Hoosiers who apply for the Healthy Indiana Plan (HIP) in January, when Indiana’s new Medicaid work requirements take effect.

And yet, on the day this clock starts ticking, FSSA still does not have a final, clear definition approved for who qualifies as “medically frail.” FSSA’s own website says the state is still working with the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services on these requirements.

That is not an acceptable way to roll out a policy that could determine whether someone keeps access to health care.

I have asked FSSA Secretary Mitch Roob to pause implementation until the requirements, exemptions and documentation process are clearly defined and approved.

In the meantime, please prepare now. If you believe you may qualify for a medical exemption, talk with your doctor and begin gathering documentation. If you will meet the requirement through work, school, job training or volunteering, keep records of your hours and participation.

FSSA says qualifying individuals will need to show 80 hours per month of work, volunteering, training or other qualifying activity, or attend school at least half-time. For a January application, October, November and December are the months that will be reviewed.

Please also create an FSSA Benefits Portal account now and make sure your contact information is current.

I will continue sharing information as FSSA provides clarification. My office is also available to help constituents navigate these changes.

09/27/2026

09/24/2026

Thank you to everyone who joined us today in South Bend for our HIP 2.0 Work Requirements Town Hall with FSSA.

We had one of the largest turnouts in the area, with around 60 people in the room. We heard from health care and community providers, family members concerned about loved ones, people with questions about how to submit work hours or exemptions, and Hoosiers already struggling to get Medicaid waiver approvals.

There are still questions that need answers, and I will continue to keep our community updated as I receive new information from FSSA.

As a reminder, the new work requirements begin October 1 for Hoosiers applying for HIP coverage beginning in January.

A few things you can do now:
• Create your FSSA Benefits Portal account, and help family members or neighbors who may need assistance creating theirs.
• Begin gathering paperwork you may need to document work hours or qualify for an exemption. We are still waiting for clarity on exactly what documentation will be required.
• Please share this information with anyone you know who receives HIP coverage or may apply in the new year.

I know these changes can be confusing. I am with you through them, and my office will continue working to get answers.

As always, if you are having an issue with your Medicaid coverage or need help looking into a claim directly with FSSA, please reach out to my office. We are here to help.

https://www.in.gov/fssa/hip/hip-work-requirements/index

09/17/2026

Books in the hands of kids matter. 📚

During the 2025 legislative session, state funding for Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library was cut from Indiana’s new two-year budget. The state had previously provided funding to cover 50% of the cost alongside local partners.

I spoke with WSBT-TV about what that means locally. I’m grateful that nonprofits and community partners have stepped up to help keep this important early-literacy program going in our community, but they shouldn’t have been put in the position of having to replace state support.

Every child deserves the opportunity to grow up with books in their home and develop a love of reading from an early age. I’ll continue supporting investments that give our youngest Hoosiers a strong start.

09/16/2026

***So that more people can attend, the Holy Hour and Mass for Alexa, Vanessa, and their families will be at St. Adalbert Church, NOT St. Casimir Church.***

Our South Bend community is grieving the heartbreaking loss of Vanessa Bautista and Alexa Navarro, two young mothers whose disappearance brought so many together in prayer and hope for their safe return.

My heart is with their children, families, friends, and everyone who loved them.

Sts. Casimir and Adalbert Parish will hold a Holy Hour and Mass at 6 p.m., September 16, at St. Adalbert Church to pray for Vanessa, Alexa and their families.

May our community surround these families with love and support in the difficult days ahead.