The House Courts and Criminal Code Committee heard SB 139 on jury duty exemption for women breastfeeding sponsored by Rep. Olthoff and authored by Sen. Donato and Sen. Doriot. The bill exempts a woman who is breastfeeding from a birth within the past 365 days from jury duty. The American College of OBGYNs, Good Trouble Coalition, Association of Women's Health, obstetric and … [Read more...] about Jury duty exemption for women breastfeeding
Judicial Administration
County policies
The Senate Appropriations Committee heard HB 1025 on county policies sponsored by Sen. Glick and Sen. Pol. The bill eliminates residency requirements for public defenders in an effort to address the attorney shortage. The Committee amended the bill by consent to eliminate existing residency requirements for deputy prosecutors and emergency medical services providers. The amended … [Read more...] about County policies
Various judicial matters
The Senate Judiciary Committee heard HB 1033 on various judicial matters sponsored by Sen. Carrasco and authored by Rep. Lopez and Rep. Jeter. The bill provides a correction and addition to persons that sit on a community corrections advisory board and the local Justice Reinvestment and Advisory Council (JRAC) for a county with a consolidated city. A majority of the bill is … [Read more...] about Various judicial matters
Access to public records
At a prior meeting, the Senate Committee on Commerce and Technology heard HB 1360 on access to public records, sponsored by Sen. Brown and authored by Rep. Lehman. The bill: A member of the Allen County Board of Commissioners testified in support of the bill. The chair held the bill for amend and vote at the next hearing. On February 19, 2026, the Committee heard the bill … [Read more...] about Access to public records
Constitutional amendment ballot question
The Senate Judiciary Committee heard HB 1019 on constitutional amendment ballot question sponsored by Sen. Koch and authored by Rep. Aylesworth. The bill prescribes the ballot language for the proposed constitutional amendment concerning the residency of a city or town court judge. The bill passed 10-0. Read the bill at: https://iga.in.gov/legislative/2026/bills/house/1019 … [Read more...] about Constitutional amendment ballot question