Indiana Panel Backs Bill Requiring Stage Inspections

Indiana’s building safety commission would set standards for inspecting large, temporary outdoor stages under a proposal advancing in the state Legislature.

The House public safety committee approved sending the bill to the full House for consideration. The bill follows the deadly collapse of outdoor stage rigging during high winds at last summer’s Indiana State Fair.

The proposal calls for the building safety commission to establish temporary inspection rules this spring, with the state adopting permanent rules after reviewing reports expected in April from two out-of-state companies hired to review the state fair collapse.

Sponsor Rep. Robert Cherry of Greenfield says inspection rules are needed to assure people that steps are being taken to prevent a similar tragedy from happening again.