The Senate Public Policy Committee heard Sen. Bohacek’s SB 12 on bias motivated crimes. The bill makes it an aggravating circumstance (for purposes of imposing a criminal sentence) that a crime was committed with the intent to harm or intimidate an individual or a group of individuals because of certain perceived or actual characteristics of the individual or group of individuals. T … [Read more...] about Bias motivated crimes
Criminal
Urging the legislative council to assign to an appropriate study committee the issue of criminal laws concerning fraud and deception
The Senate Committee on Corrections and Criminal Law heard Sen. Young’s SR 29 urging the legislative council to assign to an appropriate study committee the issue of criminal laws concerning fraud and deception. Sen. Young reports that there are 42 total crimes of fraud and deception. This resolution is to study those crimes for possible combination and rewrite. The Indiana Pr … [Read more...] about Urging the legislative council to assign to an appropriate study committee the issue of criminal laws concerning fraud and deception
Sentencing
For amend and vote only, the Senate Appropriations Committee heard Sen. Mishler’s SB 76 on sentencing, making Level 2 and Level 3 felonies non-suspendible if the person has a prior unrelated felony conviction other than a felony conviction for a crime involving marijuana, hashish, hash oil, or salvia divinorum. The bill was amended by consent to add if a person is convicted for a L … [Read more...] about Sentencing
Drug dealing
The Senate Committee on Corrections and Criminal Law heard SB 110 adding an enhancing circumstance for drug dealing within 500 feet of an addiction recovery center or support group meeting. The bill was amended by consent to reduce 500 feet to 100 feet. Testifying in support of the bill were pastor and coordinator of Celebrate Recovery Meetings; and the Indiana Prosecuting … [Read more...] about Drug dealing
Substance abuse prevention grant programs
For amend and vote only, the Senate Appropriations Committee heard Sen. Koch’s SB 111 creating substance abuse prevention grant programs. This bill requires the Division of Mental Health and Addiction to establish and administer the community and faith-based substance abuse program grants and community and faith-based substance abuse transportation assistance grant programs. It also … [Read more...] about Substance abuse prevention grant programs