The Senate Committee on Corrections and Criminal Law heard SB 261 on criminal vandalism authored by Sen. Young. The bill consolidates multiple statutes, renaming and replacing the crime of "criminal mischief" to "criminal vandalism," but preserves the original penalties and defenses. These crimes include institutional criminal mischief, cemetery mischief, railroad … [Read more...] about Criminal Vandalism
Criminal
Ban on gratuities for public officials
The House Committee on Courts and Criminal Code heard HB 1065 on ban on gratuities for public officials authored by Rep. Slager. The bill makes it a Class A misdemeanor for: (1) a person to offer a payment to a public servant as a reward for an official act taken by the public servant; or (2) a public servant to solicit or accept a payment as a reward for an official act performed b … [Read more...] about Ban on gratuities for public officials
Execution methods
The House Committee on Courts and Criminal Code heard HB 1119 on execution methods authored by Rep. Lucas. The bill authorizes the death penalty to be carried out by firing squad or nitrogen hypoxia: (1) if the Commissioner of the Department of Correction (DOC) determines that use of a firing squad or nitrogen hypoxia is advisable in light of availability considerations and the r … [Read more...] about Execution methods
Various animal matters
The House Committee on Courts and Criminal Code heard HB 1165 on various animal related matters authored by Rep. McNamara. The bill: The Committee amended the bill by consent to: The Vanderburgh County Prosecutor testified in support of the bill. The Indiana Public Defender Council testified in opposition. The amended bill passed 13-0. Read the bill … [Read more...] about Various animal matters
Notice of release and victim notification
The House Committee on Courts and Criminal Code heard HB 1250 on notice of release and victim notification authored by Rep. O’Brien. The bill requires the department of correction to electronically notify, at least seven days in advance, the: (1) county sheriff; (2) prosecuting attorney; and (3) chief of police; of the county or municipality into which the department will release a s … [Read more...] about Notice of release and victim notification