The Senate Corrections and Criminal Law Committee heard SB 170 on various election matters authored by Sen. Walker. The bill defines "election worker" and makes it a Level 6 felony to take certain actions: (1) for the purpose of influencing an election worker; (2) to obstruct or interfere with an election worker; or (3) that injure an election worker. The bill also provides an … [Read more...] about Various elections matters
Criminal
Criminal justice data
At a previous meeting, the Senate Corrections and Criminal Law Committee heard SB 290 on criminal justice data authored by Sen. Freeman and Sen. Carrasco. The bill requires the Indiana criminal justice institute and the department of correction to collect and distribute certain criminal justice data. The Indiana Criminal Justice Institute and the Indiana Department of Correction … [Read more...] about Criminal justice data
Competency evaluation
The House Ways and Means Committee heard HB 1238 on competency to stand trial authored by Rep. McNamara. The bill: The bill was amended by consent to specify that the Division of Mental Health and Addiction may consult with a forensic psychologist (rather than a “psychologist”) in establishing a training program for a competency evaluator. The amendment also provides tha … [Read more...] about Competency evaluation
Damage to a fire suppression system
The Senate Corrections and Criminal Law Committee heard SB 23 authored by Sens. Becker and Crider on damages to a fire suppression system. Sen. Becker testified that this bill is a direct result of inmates damaging sprinkler heads in the Vanderburgh County Jail resulting in significant expense and disruption to the facility's operation. Amendment #1, adopted by consent, increased … [Read more...] about Damage to a fire suppression system
Commission on court appointed attorneys
The Senate Appropriations Committee heard SB 179 on commission on court appointed attorneys authored by Sen. Koch and Sen. Linda Brown. The bill: Sen. Freeman proposed an amendment, taken by consent, that the Office of Judicial Administration make available a uniform form to assist a court in making an indigency determination, which would need to be reviewed by someone who … [Read more...] about Commission on court appointed attorneys