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 Representatives Carson, Donnelly, Souder and Visclosky are original co-sponsors of the 211 bill,among 56 senators and nearly 200 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 technical information 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