{"id":245919,"date":"2026-01-15T10:52:19","date_gmt":"2026-01-15T10:52:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/245919\/"},"modified":"2026-01-15T10:52:19","modified_gmt":"2026-01-15T10:52:19","slug":"lawmaker-seeks-psychiatric-hospital-oversight-following-wfyi-mirror-indy-investigations","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/245919\/","title":{"rendered":"Lawmaker seeks psychiatric hospital oversight following WFYI, Mirror Indy investigations"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"\/\"Sen.<\/a><\/p>\n

Sen. Andrea Hunley (D-Indianapolis) authored legislation that would establish a psychiatric care ombudsman to oversee Indiana\u2019s psychiatric hospitals.<\/p>\n

Lauren Chapman \/ IPB News file photo<\/p>\n


\n\tIndiana psychiatric hospitals would face increased scrutiny under a new proposal to create additional oversight.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n


\n\tSenate Bill 131<\/a>, authored by Sen. Andrea Hunley (D-Indianapolis), would establish a psychiatric care ombudsman to oversee Indiana\u2019s psychiatric hospitals and investigate complaints related to patient health, safety, welfare and rights.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n


\n\tThe proposal follows two investigations into psychiatric care in Indiana last year \u2014 including a Mirror Indy series<\/a> about Options Behavioral Health Hospital, and a later investigation from WFYI about NeuroPsychiatric Hospitals<\/a>, based on interviews with dozens of former patients, relatives, staff and experts who described a system that detains vulnerable people with little recourse.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n


\n\tHunley cited both investigations as inspiration for the legislation, describing the bill as a \u201cgroup project\u201d informed by news reporting, public records, hospital tours and complaints from patients and families \u2014 all of which, she said, revealed gaps in oversight.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n


\n\t\u201cWe have no idea how many complaints or issues there are,\u201d Hunley said. \u201cWe don’t know where they’re happening, and we need to be able to follow up. We need to be able to look at patterns and then make changes.\u201d<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n


\n\tHunley said her concerns were reinforced after touring a psychiatric facility and reviewing inspection records that were difficult to obtain.\u00a0<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n


\n\tThe bill would require the Division of Mental Health and Addiction to establish the Psychiatric Care Ombudsman Office. The Family and Social Services secretary would appoint the Psychiatric Care Ombudsman.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n


\n\tIndiana already has several ombudsman programs, including ones for nursing homes and the Department of Correction. Hunley said the proposed position would give patients \u2014 particularly those who face stigma \u2014 a clear advocate to investigate complaints and push for accountability.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n


\n\t\u201cThey\u2019ve got an advocate,\u201d Hunley said. \u201cThey have someone who knows how it should be, and you can then hold folks accountable.\u201d<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n


\n\tHunley said the bill needs to pass out of committee this week in order to survive this short session.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n


\n\tFarrah Anderson is an investigative health reporter with WFYI and Side Effects Public Media. You can follow her on X at @farrahsoa<\/a> or by email at fanderson@wfyi.org<\/a>.<\/p>\n

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