Indiana Senate Approves Regulations for Stages

Indiana senators are pushing regulations designed to avoid another tragedy like the stage collapse at the Indiana State Fair last summer.

Democratic Sen. Tim Lanane’s proposal would require the state Division of Fire and Building to issue permits for temporary structures. It would also allow local inspectors certified by the state to check structural integrity.

The Senate voted 45-5 Tuesday in favor of the plan. It now moves to the House for consideration.

Seven people died and 58 were injured last summer after a temporary stage at the fairgrounds collapsed during high winds.

The state commissioned a pair of investigations last summer to look at its emergency response procedures and the structural integrity of the stage.