INDIANAPOLIS – Indiana lawmakers are moving forward with a bill to provide new services at local health departments.

Governor Eric Holcomb has proposed $347 million in state funding for public health over the next two years, a significant increase from the nearly $7 million the state currently spends annually.

The proposed funding would bring Indiana closer to the national average for per-capita public health funding.

Senate Bill 4 specifies how those additional funds would be used. It was approved unanimously by the Senate Health and Provider Services committee Wednesday.

Many officials say increased public health services are greatly needed, especially in rural areas.

The bill now heads to the Senate Appropriations committee.

The amount of funding allocated for public health is being handled in the two-year state budget, a separate bill.