The House Courts and Criminal Code Committee heard SB 14 on child exploitation and child pornography sponsored by Rep. Eberhart. The bill enhances the crime of child exploitation from a Level 5 felony to a Level 4 felony under certain circumstances. The bill also enhances the crime of possession of child pornography from a Level 6 felony to a Level 5 felony under certain circumstances. The bill adds the crime of child exploitation to the definition of “crime of violence” for the purposes of determining whether or not a sentence shall be served concurrently or consecutively.
An amendment extending immunity from prosecution for possession of drugs to those who administer naloxone was adopted by consent. A second amendment limiting permissible photographs of employees in the adult entertainment business to head shots was adopted by consent. A third amendment cleaning up the definition of a “violent criminal” to include prior Class A and B felonies was adopted by consent. A fourth amendment was adopted by consent to incorporate HB 1028 concerning human and sexual trafficking into this bill.
Testimony was taken in support of the amended billed by the Attorney General’s Office, Indiana Prosecuting Attorneys Council, the Motion Picture Association, and the Indiana Governor’s Office. The amended bill passed 10-0.
Read the bill at https://iga.in.gov/legislative/2016/bills/senate/14