At a previous meeting, the House Courts and Criminal Code Committee heard SB 232 on statewide 911 systems authored by Sen. Walker, Sen. Crider, and Sen. Freeman, and sponsored by Rep. Barrett. The bill, in relevant part, changes the offense, from a Class B misdemeanor to a Class A misdemeanor, for false informing; and provides that the offense for false informing is a Level 6 felony if it substantially hinders any law enforcement process or if it results in harm to another person or a Level 5 felony if it results in serious bodily injury or death to another person. (Current law provides that the offense for false informing is a Class A misdemeanor if it substantially hinders any law enforcement process or if it results in harm to another person.) The
The Committee amended the bill by consent to remove language concerning review by the budget committee. The Indiana Public Defender Council testified against the increased penalties in the bill.
On February 26, the Committee heard the bill for amend and vote. The Committee amended the bill to provide that certain sentencing enhancements only apply to the crime of false informing when they involve a report that a person is dangerous. The amended bill passed 11-0.
Read the bill at: https://iga.in.gov/legislative/2024/bills/senate/232