Muncie Times, Muncie, Delaware County, 6 March 2008 — Page 9

The Muncie Times • March 6, 2008 • Page 9

Tyler advances legislation increasing Autism awareness

(INDIANAPOLIS) Today the Indiana House concurred with Senate changes to a House Bill 1171, a measure coauthored by State. Rep Dennis Tyler (D-Muncie) that would require autism training for Emergency Medical Services (EMS) personnel. “From the loud sirens to the spinning lights, emergency vehicles that are used to respond to crisis situations often frighten autistic individuals, which causes great

difficulty in helping them receive the care they need,” Tyler said. “In addition, individuals with autism often will react very differently to emergency situations than what is commonly expected. Reactions can range from not speaking to having violent outbursts.” He continued, “I am pleased to be offering this legislation that would give public safety officers the necessary training to provide the

best service to their communities, at no additional costs to taxpayers.” During last year’s General Assembly, a similar bill was passed requiring autism training for Indiana teachers. The bill will now proceed to Gov. Mitch Daniels for final consideration. In other news, Gov. Daniels has signed into law legislation authored by Tyler that will increase benefits for families of police officers

and firefighters. House Enrolled Act (HEA) 1156 will increase police and firefighter death benefits from $9,000 to $12,000. The benefits are payable to the heirs or estates of active and retired members. Tyler said that many states already pay more than $12,000, an amount he thinks is necessary to ensure that families will have enough money to give their loved one a proper burial.

“In many instances, families of police officers and firefighters have lost their primary source of income with their loved one’s passing,” Tyler said. “Benefits are meant to honor the service of police officers and firefighters, and hopefully ease monetary concerns so the family can focus on more important things in this time of grief.” The additional money will come from local police and fire funds.

Governor Daniels Signs Bill Authorizing Special Plate

INDIANAPOLIS - The new Indiana license plate commemorating the Abraham Lincoln Bicentennial was unveiled today by Ron Stiver, Commissioner of the Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV) and Connie Nass, chairperson of the Indiana Abraham Lincoln Bicentennial Commission. Members of the Bicentennial Commission and Michael Blickman, chairman of the Indiana Historical Society Board of Trustees attended the ceremony that was held in the Rose McKee Lanham Gallery at the Eugene and Marilyn Glick Indiana History Center in Indianapolis. The new license plate is now available at no additional charge for 2008 and 2009 and may be obtained at any Indiana BMV license branch as a renewal or new registration.

The plate may be displayed through 2013. Stiver explained that the license plate design features a logo developed for the Lincoln Bicentennial Commission that is being used on special signage throughout the state. “Too often it is forgotten that America’s most eloquent and greatest president spent fourteen of his most formative years in Indiana,” Stiver said. “President Lincoln truly does ‘belong to the ages,’ and it is only fitting that Hoosiers are able to take part in celebrating the bicentennial of his birth through display of the new Lincoln license plate.” On behalf of the Bicentennial Commission, Chairperson Nass added, “The Commission is proud to have worked with legislators and the Bureau of Motor Vehicles to design, develop and produce this special plate

that proudly identifies rized by the Indiana State author and Senator Jim Indiana as Lincoln’s Legislature through Merritt as the Senate Boyhood Home.” House Bill 1202 with sponsor. The bill was The Bicentennial Representative Russ signed by Governor Mitch license plate was autho- Stillwell as the House Daniels on March 3.