The Senate Health and Provider Services Committee heard HB 1449 authorizing opioid treatment programs in community mental health centers sponsored by Sen. Patricia Miller and Sen. Grooms. Sen. Hershman introduced an amendment adding language from SB 439 and SB 464 into the bill placing limitations on Medicaid reimbursement for Suboxone and similar drugs if prescribed for the … [Read more...] about Opioid treatment programs in community mental health centers s
Criminal
Death penalty aggravator
The House Courts and Criminal Code Committee heard SB 8, sponsored by Rep. Cox and Rep. Steuerwald, on a death penalty aggravator, making a murder eligible for the death penalty if the murder involved decapitating or attempting to decapitate the victim while the victim was still alive. A representative of the Indiana Catholic Conference testified against the death penalty generally. … [Read more...] about Death penalty aggravator
Murder sentencing; aggravating circumstance
The House Courts and Criminal Code Committee heard SB 385, sponsored by Rep. McMillin and Rep. Truitt, on murder sentencing; aggravating circumstance. This bill permits the state to seek the death penalty or a sentence of life without parole for a murder committed in a building primarily used for educational purposes if the murder is committed on school property or in a building … [Read more...] about Murder sentencing; aggravating circumstance
Crimes of violence
The House Courts and Criminal Code Committee heard SB 559, sponsored by Rep. Frizzell, on crimes of violence. This bill adds unlawful possession of a firearm by a serious violent felon to the definition of "crimes of violence". It also establishes new caps for consecutive sentences that result from a single episode of criminal conduct. This legislation defines "emergency medical … [Read more...] about Crimes of violence
Criminal justice funding
The Senate Appropriations Committee heard HB 1006, sponsored by Sen. Steele and Sen. Young, on criminal justice funding. This bill was amended to provide: the DOC to compile certain information and submit a quarterly report to the state budget committee and a monthly report to the Justice Reinvestment Advisory Council; provides that counties or courts wishing to apply to the DOC … [Read more...] about Criminal justice funding