WBIW.com News - state

Brought to you by WBIW News and Network Indiana

Proposed Bill Set To Protect Soldiers & Families

Last updated on Wednesday, August 20, 2014

(INDIANAPOLIS) - Indiana’s men and women in uniform deserve increased consumer protections.

That's the sentiment behind new legislation proposed by Indiana Attorney General Greg Zoeller and several state lawmakers.

The Indiana Service Member's Civil Relief Act would allow current serving National Guardsmen and Reservists to suspend or postpone certain obligations like debt collections, foreclosures, evictions, judicial and administrative proceedings and certain lease or service terminations. The measure would complement the federal Service Member's Civil Relief Act (SCRA).

Indiana is home to about 550,000 veterans and serves one of the largest veteran populations in the U.S. According to Zoeller, the legislation would relieve stress on family members back home when servicemen and women are fulfilling their military obligations.

State Sen. Sue Glick, R-LaGrange, said she's heard about repeat deployments that have put physical and mental hardships on Indiana's military families. She hopes the measure will protect the military community.

The act would also provide additional protection from scams to military members. Zoeller says military families are often the target of scams and believes they should be afforded an extra line of defense.

The Indiana Service Member's Civil Relief Act must be approved by the Indiana General Assembly, which convenes in January.

1340 AM WBIW welcomes comments and suggestions by calling 812.277.1340 during normal business hours or by email at comments@wbiw.com

© Ad-Venture Media, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Click here to go back to previous page