The Senate Corrections and Criminal Law Committee heard Sen. Young’s SB 229 on catastrophic injury. The bill defines "catastrophic injury", and permits a court to impose an additional fixed term of 5-10 years if a person commits certain offenses that cause the victim to suffer catastrophic injury. The bill prohibits imposing an additional fixed term if the same facts necessary to e … [Read more...] about Catastrophic injury
Criminal
Victim notification
The Senate Corrections and Criminal Law Committee heard Sen. Head’s SB 239 on victim notification. The bill provides that if the discharge or release date of an offender is changed during the 40-day notification period before an offender's planned discharge or release, the Department of Correction shall notify the victim as soon as possible, but not more than 48 hours after the c … [Read more...] about Victim notification
Hemp oil registry for the treatment of epilepsy
The Senate Corrections and Criminal Law Committee heard Sen. Tomes’ SB 15 establishing a hemp oil registry for the treatment of epilepsy. The registry would be established for certain physicians, individuals, and caregivers for the use of hemp oil in the treatment of a child with intractable epilepsy. It also establishes a pilot study registry for physicians who want to study the u … [Read more...] about Hemp oil registry for the treatment of epilepsy
Annual report on criminal code reform
The House Government and Regulatory Reform Committee heard Rep. Steuerwald’s HB 1065 requiring the Indiana Criminal Justice Institute to prepare its annual report on criminal code reform for the governor and the legislative council before December 1 of each year instead of July 1 of each year. The Executive Director of the Criminal Justice Institute testified in support of the bill. … [Read more...] about Annual report on criminal code reform
Forfeiture
The Senate Corrections and Criminal Law Committee heard SB 8 authored by Sen. Boots on forfeiture. The bill authorizes the forfeiture of seized property only if the property owner has been convicted of a crime. Sen. Young’s amendment to incorporate procedures for reclaiming seized property in hardship cases was adopted by consent. The Heartland Institute, Indiana Public Defender Coun … [Read more...] about Forfeiture