The Senate Corrections and Criminal Law Committee heard HB 1418 concerning forensic diversion and drug courts sponsored by Sen. Bohacek. The author, Rep. Goss-Reaves, explained that the bill provides that a pregnant woman charged with a drug crime may be referred to a forensic diversion program or a drug court at an initial hearing.
The bill was amended by consent to note the pregnant woman must also meet any condition of a pretrial diversion program authorized by statute or authorized by the judge of the problem-solving court and the prosecuting attorney.
The Indiana Prosecuting Attorneys Council, Good Trouble Coalition, and the Indiana Public Defender Council testified in support of the bill. The amended bill passed 7-0.
Read the bill at: https://iga.in.gov/legislative/2024/bills/house/1418