The Senate Corrections and Criminal Law Committee heard HB 1363 sponsored by Sen. Atling and Sen. Koch on criminal mischief and criminal trespass. The author, Rep. Negele, presented the bill, which provides that a person who recklessly, knowingly, or intentionally damages the property of a scientific research facility without the consent of, or with consent that was fraudulently obtained from the owner, possessor, or occupant of the property commits criminal mischief, a Class A misdemeanor. The bill also provides that a person who, not having a contractual interest in the property, knowingly or intentionally enters the real property of a scientific research facility without the permission of, or with permission that was fraudulently obtained from the owner of the scientific research facility or an authorized person, and knowingly or intentionally engages in conduct that causes property damage to: (1) the owner of or a person having a contractual interest in the scientific research facility; (2) the operator of the scientific research facility; or (3) a person having personal property located on the property of the scientific research facility; commits criminal trespass, a Level 6 felony.
A scientific research facility testified in support of the bill. The Indiana Public Defender Counsel testified in opposition. The bill passed 5-2.
Read the bill at: https://iga.in.gov/legislative/2023/bills/house/1363