The Senate Corrections and Criminal Law Committee heard HB 1250 on crimes of violence, sponsored by Sen. Koch. The bill adds the following offenses to the statutory definition of “crime of violence”: (1) Battery as a Level 2 felony; (2) Battery as a Level 3 felony; (3) Battery as a Level 4 felony; and (4) Battery as a Level 5 felony. The bill also makes conforming amendments.
The bill was amended by consent to add a bailiff of any court and a special deputy to the definition of “public safety official” for the purposes of the battery statute. The Indiana Prosecuting Attorneys Council testified in support of the bill and the Marion County Public Defender Agency testified against the bill. The amended bill passed 6-2.
Read the bill at: http://iga.in.gov/legislative/2018/bills/house/1250