The Senate Corrections and Criminal Law Committee heard SB 109 on statute of limitations. The bill is authored by Sen. Crider and removes the statute of limitations for certain sex offenses that, under current law, must be charged before the victim reaches 31 years of age, and removes the statute of limitations for rape and child exploitation. The bill was amended by consent to reinstate the existing statute of limitations, but provides that an otherwise barred offense may be commenced not later than five years from the earliest of the date on which: (1) the state first discovers DNA evidence sufficient to charge the offender; (2) the state first becomes aware of a recording that provides evidence sufficient to charge the offender; or (3) a person confesses to the offense.
The following testified in support of the bill: the anti-sexual violence organization Rape, Abuse, and Incest National Network, the Indiana Coalition to End Sexual Assault and Human Trafficking, the Indiana Prosecuting Attorneys Council, the Indiana Sheriffs’ Association, and five survivors of childhood sexual abuse. The amended bill passed 8-0.
Read the bill at: http://iga.in.gov/legislative/2020/bills/senate/109