The House Public Health Committee heard SB 510, sponsored by Rep. Kirchhofer and Rep. Davisson, creating a 4-year substance abuse pilot program in Allen County. The bill originally provided that the program was part of the Indiana Commission to Combat Drug Abuse, but that portion was removed by amendment. The bill was also amended to change the start date to June 30, 2017. Judge … [Read more...] about Substance abuse pilot program
Judicial Administration
County magistrates
The Senate Judiciary Committee heard HB 1053, sponsored by Sen. Crider, Sen. Smith, and Sen. Taylor, on county magistrates. The bill allows the Clark County circuit court to appoint four full-time magistrates, allows the Shelby County circuit and superior courts to appoint a full-time magistrate, and allows the Marion County superior courts to appoint 18 full-time magistrates after … [Read more...] about County magistrates
Search fee for public records request
The Senate Local Government Committee heard HB 1523, sponsored by Sen. Bray, Sen. Merritt and Sen. Lanane, creating a search fee for public records request. The bill allows a state or local government agency (agency) to charge a maximum hourly fee for any records search that exceeds two hours, prohibits, with certain exceptions, an agency from charging a fee for providing a … [Read more...] about Search fee for public records request
Pro bono legal services fee
The House Courts and Criminal Code Committee heard SB 42 on the pro bono legal services fee. Sponsor Rep. Clere presented the bill, which extends the $1.00 pro bono fee in civil actions, including small claims cases, for another five years through July 1, 2022. The Indiana State Bar Association, the Indiana Bar Foundation, and Doxpop spoke in support of the bill, which passed … [Read more...] about Pro bono legal services fee
Rehabilitation progress and recidivism reporting
The Senate Corrections and Criminal Law Committee heard HB 1349 on rehabilitation progress and recidivism reporting. Sponsor Sen. Young explained that the bill provides that any entity in receipt of funds: (1) recommended by the Justice Reinvestment Advisory council; and (2) appropriated by the Department of Correction; must provide certain statistics related to recidivism, … [Read more...] about Rehabilitation progress and recidivism reporting