The House Courts and Criminal Code Committee heard HB 1225 concerning failure to yield to emergency vehicles authored by Rep. McNamara. The bill provides for a Level 6 felony when a person fails to yield to an emergency vehicle and causes serious bodily injury or death to any person operating, occupying, or affiliated with the emergency vehicle. The committee discussed an amendment that would also address enhanced penalties for resisting law enforcement if the individual had prior offenses for resisting law enforcement, similar to SB 89.
Indiana Prosecuting Attorneys Council, law enforcement officers, and the Professional Firefighters Union of Indiana testified in support of the bill and the amendment. The committee noted a revised amendment will be considered as the bill moves forward. The bill as introduced passed 10-1.
Read the bill at: http://iga.in.gov/legislative/2020/bills/house/1225