The Senate Judiciary Committee heard Sen. Bassler’s and Sen. Kruse’s SB 367 on revocation of teaching licenses. The bill requires a court to issue an order recommending to the Department of Education revocation of a defendant's teaching license if the defendant is convicted of certain crimes and the victim is a child less than 18 years of age. The bill also requires the Department of … [Read more...] about Revocation of teaching licenses
Criminal
Various crimes
The Senate Corrections and Criminal Law Committee heard Sen. Young’s SB 424 on various crimes. The bill provides the following: amends crime of strangulation to include application of pressure to a victim's torso, and increases the penalty to a Level 5 felony if it is knowingly committed against a pregnant woman creates an enhancement to obstruction of justice if a person i … [Read more...] about Various crimes
Substance abuse pilot program
The Senate Judiciary Committee heard Sen. Merritt’s SB 510 on a substance abuse pilot program. The bill allows the Allen superior court to establish a substance abuse pilot program to assist persons in the criminal justice system who require addiction treatment and assistance with developing a long term plan for sober living. The bill also makes an appropriation. Judge Wendy Davis o … [Read more...] about Substance abuse pilot program
Commitment to DOC for a Level 6 felony
The House Committee on Courts and Criminal Code heard Rep. Steuerwald’s HB 1010 on commitment to DOC for a Level 6 felony. Rep. Steuerwald explained that the bill, endorsed by the Justice Reinvestment Advisory Council (JRAC), would clarify when certain Level 6 felons could be committed to the Department of Corrections (DOC). The Indiana Public Defender Council’s Larry Landis, chair … [Read more...] about Commitment to DOC for a Level 6 felony
Monetary awards for exonerated prisoners
The House Committee on Courts and Criminal Code heard Rep. Steuerwald’s HB 1062 on monetary awards for exonerated prisoners. The author explained that the bill establishes a DNA exoneration fund, with an initial $200,000 appropriation, to pay convicted persons exonerated by DNA evidence $25,000 for each year of wrongful incarceration in the Department of Corrections. Rep. Porter and … [Read more...] about Monetary awards for exonerated prisoners