The House Courts and Criminal Code Committee heard SB 173 concerning the Department of Correction specialized vocational program. Sponsor Rep. Washburne explained that this bill permits the Department of Correction to establish a specialized vocational program to train minimum security inmates in trades such as truck driving, manufacturing, plumbing, construction, and heating, … [Read more...] about DOC specialized vocational program
Criminal
Credit time
The House Courts and Criminal Code Committee heard SB 175 sponsored by Rep. Steuerwald on credit time. This bill is intended to resolve conflicts in the interpretation of the various credit time terms used throughout the Indiana Code. Rep. Pierce introduced an amendment, adopted by consent, specifying that this bill (1) clarifies current law and does not create new law, (2) does not … [Read more...] about Credit time
Inmate correspondence
The House Courts and Criminal Code Committee heard SB 285 sponsored by Rep. Dermondy and Rep. McMillin on inmate correspondence. Author Sen. Tomes explained that the bill gives offenders within the Department of Correction the option of sending correspondence via electronic mail or through the US Postal Service. Sen. Tomes stated that DOC currently provides offenders with stationery … [Read more...] about Inmate correspondence
Controlled substances
The Senate Judiciary Committee heard HB 1184 on controlled substances sponsored by Sen. Grooms and Sen. Becker. Author Rep. Davisson explained that the bill allows certain optometrists to prescribe Tramadol, now classified as a controlled substance, for ocular pain management. The bill also updates Indiana Code to mirror federal law on the classification of controlled substances. An … [Read more...] about Controlled substances
Expungement
The Senate Judiciary Committee heard HB 1302 on expungement sponsored by Sen. Steele and Sen. Taylor. Author Rep. McMillin explained the bill and his amendments as: (1) authorizing the expungement of charges when an arrest did not occur or allegations of juvenile delinquency did not lead to a delinquency adjudication; (2) specifying that the records of expungement proceedings become … [Read more...] about Expungement