The House Judiciary Committee heard HB 1456, establishing the servicemembers civil relief act, authored by Reps. Zent, Moseley, and Carbaugh. The Indiana SCRA supplements protections for servicemembers provided for under the federal SCRA. Generally, the Indiana SCRA provides servicemembers rights and protections regarding consumer transactions, contracts, and contracts with specific service providers (such as internet servicers, satellite radio services, and television services).
Rep. Zent introduced an amendment addressing concerns expressed after last week’s testimony on the bill, and to ensure they duplicated the protections of existing federal law as much as possible. The amendment requires the Indiana National Guard to provide a list on its internet site that is searchable to determine whether an individual is on active duty for at least 30 days, as required by state law. It also requires the Guard to provide eligible members and dependents a list of state and federal rights they have under the servicemember civil relief acts. The amendment also provides that the Office of the Attorney General may bring a civil action against a person who knowingly and intentionally violates a provision of the act. Testimony was received in favor of the bill by the Office of the Indiana Attorney General. The amendment was adopted by consent, and the bill passed as amended 10-0.
Read the bill at http://iga.in.gov/legislative/2015/bills/house/1456.