The House Courts and Criminal Code Committee heard SB 23 on damage to a fire suppression system sponsored by Rep. Gore and Rep. Ledbetter. Author Sen. Becker introduced the bill explaining it increases the current penalty for criminal mischief, including damage to a fire suppression system in a penal or juvenile facility to a Level 5 felony.
Amendment #5 was adopted by consent to reduce the penalty to a Level 6 felony if there is damage to a penal facility, to a fixture of a penal facility, or to equipment in a penal facility. The Indiana Prosecuting Attorney’s Council testified in support while the Indiana Public Defender Council testified in opposition to the bill. The Department of Correction provided neutral testimony. The Committee also heard from the Vanderburgh County Sheriff in support of the bill. The amended bill passed 12-0.
Read the bill at: https://iga.in.gov/legislative/2024/bills/senate/23