The Senate Corrections and Criminal Law Committee heard HB 1114 on interfering with law enforcement, sponsored by Sen. Head. The bill provides that a person commits interfering with law enforcement, a Class B misdemeanor, if the person enters a crime scene or similar location that is marked off with barrier tape, other markers, or a physical barrier. The bill also increases the penalty if the person uses a vehicle, draws or uses a deadly weapon, or causes injury or death to another person. In addition, the bill provides that resisting or interfering with law enforcement is enhanced to a Level 6 felony if the person uses a vehicle to commit the offense. (Under current law, the felony enhancement to resisting law enforcement applies only if the person flees from law enforcement using a vehicle.)
The bill was amended by consent to permit a juvenile court to waive jurisdiction of a child at least 16 years of age who is charged with resisting law enforcement or interfering with law enforcement as a felony. The Indiana Prosecuting Attorneys Council testified in favor of the bill and the Indiana Public Defender Council testified against the bill. The amended bill passed 7-1.
Read the bill at http://iga.in.gov/legislative/2019/bills/house/1114