The Senate Corrections and Criminal Law Committee heard HB 1249 on juvenile court jurisdiction sponsored by Sen. Freeman and authored by Rep. Zimmerman and Rep. Bascom. The bill adds the unlawful carrying of a handgun, if charged as a felony, to the list of offenses over which a juvenile court does not have jurisdiction, if committed by a juvenile that is 16 or 17 years old.
The bill was amended by consent to:
- Specify that a child charged with dangerous possession of a firearm may be tried by a juvenile court under certain circumstances.
- Makes dangerous possession of a firearm a Level 5 felony if the child: (1) has a prior conviction for unlawful carrying of a handgun; or (2) possesses the firearm on school property, within 500 feet of a school, or on a school bus.
The Indiana Public Defender Council testified in support of the bill. The Indiana Prosecuting Attorneys Council testified but remained neutral. Strength over Struggle, Inc., Struggle University, Children’s Policy and Law Initiative of Indiana, New Breed of Youth, and a private citizen testified in opposition of the bill. The amended bill passed 9-0.
Read the bill at: https://iga.in.gov/legislative/2026/bills/house/1249