Indiana Senate Bill SCR0039

Indiana 2023 Regular Session

• Introduced: 4/6/23
• Refer: 4/6/23

Caption

Urging Congress to pass Senate Joint Resolution 4.

Impact

By encouraging Congress to remove the deadline for the ratification of the ERA, SCR0039 could significantly impact state and federal laws by reinforcing protections against gender discrimination. If successfully ratified, the ERA would become the 28th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, thereby solidifying the legal standing of gender equality in various contexts such as employment, education, and health. This could lead to further legislative changes aimed at preventing discrimination based on sex.

Summary

SCR0039 is a Senate Concurrent Resolution from Indiana that urges the 118th United States Congress to pass Senate Joint Resolution 4, which seeks to remove the ratification deadline for the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA). The ERA, which was first proposed in 1923 and passed by Congress in 1972, is designed to ensure that rights under the law cannot be denied or abridged on account of sex. The resolution highlights the support for the amendment and the necessity of its ratification as a means to secure gender equality in the United States.

Contention

While the resolution itself may not be contentious, the larger topic of the Equal Rights Amendment remains a point of division among legislators and the public. Supporters argue that formal recognition of gender equality is long overdue and necessary for legal protection against discrimination, while opponents may argue about the implications it could have on existing laws and societal norms. Additionally, there are discussions around the effects of the time-limited ratification, which is central to the debate on whether the amendment can yet be considered valid without further congressional action.