The House Courts and Criminal Code Committee heard SB 70 concerning bail and release review commission sponsored by Rep. Steuerwald. The author, Sen. Koch, explained that the bill would establish a temporary executive branch commission (sunsets June 30, 2026) with sixteen statutorily outlined members staffed by the office of the Governor. The membership includes four legislative members, Governor, Superintendent of State Police, Department of Correction, Division of Mental Health and Addiction, state Budget Director, the Chief Justice, Indiana Judges Association, Indiana Prosecuting Attorneys Council, victim advocate, Indiana Public Defender Council, Indiana Sheriffs’ Association, and Association of Indiana Counties. The commission is to review data concerning the effects of bail reform measures on public safety, data on the effectiveness of pretrial release measures and reform efforts, the effects on pretrial detention, review of bail schedules and practices, and bail and release measures in other states. The commission is required to report its findings and recommendations to the Governor and Legislative Council by November 1 of each year.
The bill passed 12-0.
Read the bill at: https://iga.in.gov/legislative/2024/bills/senate/70