The Senate Corrections & Criminal Law Committee heard Sen. Tomes’ SB 387 changing the Indiana code references from superintendent to Department of Correction wardens. A representatives of Legislative Services Agency testified in favor of the bill which passed 9-0. Read the bill at: http://iga.in.gov/legislative/2017/bills/senate/387 … [Read more...] about Department of Correction wardens
Criminal
Offenses committed by incarcerated individuals
The Senate Corrections & Criminal Law Committee heard Sen. Houchin’s SB 405 on offenses committed by incarcerated individuals. The bill provides that the knowing or intentional possession of a cell phone, storage media, a SIM card, or any other cellular or wireless communications device while incarcerated in a jail or state penal facility is a Level 5 felony instead of a Class A … [Read more...] about Offenses committed by incarcerated individuals
Bias crimes
The Senate Corrections & Criminal Law Committee heard Sens. Ruckelshaus and Glick’s SB 439 on bias crimes, making it an aggravating circumstance for the purposes of imposing a criminal sentence that the crime was committed with the intent to harm or intimidate an individual because of certain perceived or actual characteristics of the individual. The Committee amended the bill t … [Read more...] about Bias crimes
Habitual offender requirements
The House Courts & Criminal Code Committee heard HB 1064 authored by Rep. Steuerwald and co-authored by Rep. Pierce on habitual offender requirements. The bill is meant to clarify legislative intent behind the amendments to I.C. § 35-50-2-8(c) that took effect in 2014 and provides that persons convicted of a new level 5 felony offense will qualify for sentencing as a habitual off … [Read more...] about Habitual offender requirements
Bail and bail agent license renewal
The House Insurance Committee heard, for amend and vote only, Rep. Frizzell’s HB 1137 on bail and bail agent license renewal. This bill decreases the bail agent renewal fee from $600 to $300. The bill also requires a court to declare a bail bond obtained by a defendant by deposit of cash or securities forfeited not later than (rather than not earlier than) 120 days after failure of t … [Read more...] about Bail and bail agent license renewal