The Senate Committee on Courts and Criminal Code heard SB 301 authored by Sen. Brown on child molesting. The bill makes the acts requiring a person convicted of child molesting to be sentenced in accordance with the alternative Level 1 sentencing range an element of the crime of child molesting. The bill was amended to clarify sentencing options for child molest … [Read more...] about Child molesting
Criminal
Deposition of child victim
The Senate Judiciary Committee heard SB 331 on deposition of child victim authored by Sen. Messmer. The bill specifies that "deposition" or "depose", for purposes of a criminal case with a child victim, means a deposition pursuant to Indiana Trial Rule 30 or 31, or any other formal or informal statement or interview. The Indiana Prosecuting Attorneys Council testified in … [Read more...] about Deposition of child victim
Mental health programs
The House Courts and Criminal Code Committee heard HB 1006 on mental health programs authored by Rep. Steuerwald. The bill specifies the circumstances under which a person may be involuntarily committed to a facility for mental health services and specifies that these services are medically necessary by combining Ind. Code § 12-26-4 and Ind. Code § 12-26-5, on immediate detention a … [Read more...] about Mental health programs
Competency to stand trial
The House Court and Criminal Code Committee heard HB 1194 on competency to stand trial authored by Rep. McNamara. The bill provides that certain licensed individuals may examine a defendant and testify as to whether the defendant can understand the criminal proceedings and assist in the preparation of the defendant's defense. The bill also allows a court to dismiss criminal charges, … [Read more...] about Competency to stand trial
Serious communicable diseases
For amend and vote only, the House Courts and Criminal Code Committee heard HB 1198 on serious communicable diseases authored by Rep. McNamara. A version of this bill has been introduced the last four legislative sessions with the intent to update the law consistent with medical advances. The bill: At the January 18th meeting, representatives from Indiana Minority Health … [Read more...] about Serious communicable diseases