Legislative Update

Courts

Filed Under: Judicial Administration

H.E.A. 1144, P.L. 224-2025

Effective: July 1, 2025

  • Provides that the judges of the Marion County juvenile courts may not appoint more than 11 magistrates.
  • Eliminates a court in Blackford County on December 31, 2028 and Monroe County on December 31, 2026.
  • Eliminates a magistrate in Jennings County on December 31, 2025.
  • Allows the judges of the Elkhart Circuit and Superior Courts to appoint four full-time magistrates. (Current law allows for the appointment of two magistrates.)
  • Adds two Superior Courts to Hamilton County. Provides that the first judges of Hamilton Superior Courts No. 8 and No. 9 shall: (1) be elected at the November 2026 general election; (2) take office January 1, 2027; and (3) serve a term of six years.
  • Allows the judges of the Hamilton Circuit and Superior Courts to jointly appoint two additional magistrates to serve the Hamilton County courts.
  • Allows the judge of the Lawrence County juvenile court to appoint not more than one full-time magistrate.
  • Allows the judges of the Vigo Circuit and Superior courts to jointly appoint one magistrate to serve the Vigo County courts. 

Read the bill at: https://iga.in.gov/legislative/2025/bills/house/1144