Legislation

State Legislation supporting 2-1-1

The Indiana General Assembly passed supporting legislation, effective July 1, 2004.
I.C. 8-1-19.5 does the following:

• encourages use of 2-1-1 for access to human services information and referral;
• creates an account for future funds (complementing a federal appropriation bill) and requests no state funds;
• encourages cost savings by requiring state agencies to work with 2-1-1 rather than creating new ten-digit information and referral (I&R) hotlines; and
• provides legal liability protections for recognized, non-profit IN211 Centers.

Federal Legislation supporting 2-1-1

At the federal level, HR 211 and S.211 offer pending legislation that would provide $700 million over 6 years in support for 2-1-1. Sen. Richard Lugar and Sen. Evan Bayh are original co-sponsors of S.211., among 38 senators and nearly 119 representatives. If fully funded, the “Calling for 2-1-1 Act” in Congress would provide about $2 million for 2-1-1 in Indiana. IN211 and its Centers have already secured the required 50% match through philanthropic sources. For the latest bill information, visit http://thomas.loc.gov/.

Regulatory Authority

July 2005 marked the five-year anniversary that the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) designated 2-1-1 as the dialing code for human service information and referral. In summer of 2007, scores of organizations--including ten in Indiana--filed comments at the FCC in Cause No. 92-105 about the value of 2-1-1 to local communities and states.

The Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission (IURC) authorized Indiana 211 Partnership, Inc. as the proper administrator of the 2-1-1 dialing code on February 20, 2002, and finalized an order on June 17, 2004. IN211 files annual reports at the IURC, including a supplement that provides specific information about working with the ever-changing telecommunications industry.

Frequently requested documents

2-15-07 Media Release - Indiana 211 Partnership Urges Congress to Pass 2-1-1 Legislation

*Calling for 2-1-1 Act
* 2-1-1 Fact Sheet
* 2-1-1 Cost Savings
* 2-1-1 and Disaster