The House Courts and Criminal Code Committee heard Rep. Torr’s HB 1014 on unauthorized adoption advertising. The bill provides that the law concerning unauthorized adoption advertising does not apply to a federal agency, the Indiana Department of Child Services, an attorney licensed to practice law in Indiana, a child placing agency licensed under the laws of Indiana; and a person s … [Read more...] about Unauthorized adoption advertising
Criminal
Theft by public servants
The House Courts and Criminal Code Committee heard Rep. Lauer’s HB 1192 on theft by public servants. The original bill required that a public servant who commits theft of public funds having a value of at least $750 be sentenced to a mandatory term of imprisonment of at least 30 days as part of the sentence; and it specified that: (1) the mandatory term is not suspendible; and (2) t … [Read more...] about Theft by public servants
Self-defense and the defense of others
For amend and vote only, the House Judiciary Committee heard Rep. Lucas’ HB 1284 on self-defense and the defense of others, providing immunity for a justified use of force in certain instances and requiring a trial court to conduct a pretrial hearing concerning the application of the immunity when the defendant raises the justified use of force immunity as a defense. The bill f … [Read more...] about Self-defense and the defense of others
Death or injury to animals
For amend and vote only, the House Courts and Criminal Code Committee heard Rep. Hatfield’s HB 1615 on death or injury to animals. The bill increases the offense level for certain animal cruelty crimes, amends and creates certain definitions for offenses relating to animals, and provides that a person who prevails in an action based on the wrongful death of the person's companion a … [Read more...] about Death or injury to animals
Seizure of firearms from dangerous individuals
The House Courts and Criminal Code Committee heard Rep. Schaibley’s HB 1651 on seizure of firearms from dangerous individuals. The bill: Requires the Indiana criminal justice institute to track and record the following: The name of the law enforcement agency responsible for each confiscation of a firearm from a person adjudicated or believed to be dangerous. The number of w … [Read more...] about Seizure of firearms from dangerous individuals