The House Courts and Criminal Code Committee heard HB 1097 authored by Rep. Abbott regarding criminal penalties. The bill provides that a person who discharges a firearm in an unsafe manner and creates a substantial risk of bodily injury or death to a person or group of persons in the immediate vicinity of where the firearm is shot commits a Level 5 felony. The bill provides that a … [Read more...] about Criminal penalties
Mental health and addiction forensic treatments
For amend and vote only, the House Ways and Means Committee heard HB 1127 mental health and addiction forensic treatments, authored by Rep. Steuerwald. The bill removes a provision that allows a: (1) delinquent child's; or (2) person's; Medicaid participation to be terminated following a two-year suspension due to certain adjudications or incarceration. The bill adds competency … [Read more...] about Mental health and addiction forensic treatments
Human trafficking
The House Courts and Criminal Code Committee heard HB 1200 authored by Rep. McNamara regarding human trafficking. The bill modifies the definition of "protected person" for purposes of the admission of a statement or videotape of an individual who is less than 14 years of age at the time of the offense. The bill removes the requirement that money paid for a human trafficking victim … [Read more...] about Human trafficking
Judicial officers
The House Courts and Criminal Code Committee heard HB 1383 authored by Rep. Cook regarding judicial officers. The bill provides that a person commits battery on a public safety official if the offense is committed against a current or former public safety official: (1) while the official is engaged in the official's official duty; or (2) in retaliation for the official having … [Read more...] about Judicial officers
Landlord-tenant relations
The House Judiciary Committee heard HB 1541 on landlord-tenant relations authored by Rep. Manning. The bill was amended to address the concerns of the Governor in his veto message. Testimony in opposition to the bill was presented by the Indiana Public Defender Council, United Way of Central Indiana, Prosperity Indiana, Hoosier Housing Needs Coalition, Indiana Legal Services, and … [Read more...] about Landlord-tenant relations