The Senate Judiciary Committee heard SB 199 on recovery of litigation expenses. The bill, authored by Sen. Koch, requires a court to award reasonable litigation expenses to the prevailing party in a civil action brought against that party by a governmental entity if the court finds that the civil action was brought by the governmental entity without substantial justification. The b … [Read more...] about Recovery of litigation expenses
Driver's license suspensions
The Senate Committee on Corrections and Criminal Code heard SB 200 authored by Sen. M. Young repealing certain license suspensions when a motor vehicle is used in dealing certain controlled substances. The Indiana Public Defender Council testified in support of the bill. The bill passed 8-0. Read the bill at: http://iga.in.gov/legislative/2020/bills/senate/200 … [Read more...] about Driver's license suspensions
Interviews and depositions of children
The Senate Judiciary Committee heard SB 206 on interviews and depositions of children in sex offense cases. The bill, authored by Sen. Messmer, creates certain procedures and protections in a defense interview or a court ordered deposition for a child less than 16 years of age who is the victim of a sex crime. The bill also provides that the term "defense counsel" includes the … [Read more...] about Interviews and depositions of children
Exploitation of dependents and endangered adults
The Senate Committee on Corrections and Criminal Code heard SB 249 authored by Sen. M. Young creating a new criminal offense for the exploitation of dependents and endangered adults. The bill provides a person commits exploitation of a dependent or an endangered adult if the person recklessly uses or exerts control over the personal services or property of an endangered adult. The … [Read more...] about Exploitation of dependents and endangered adults
Courts and judicial officers
The Senate Judiciary Committee heard SB 256 on courts and judicial officers. The bill is authored by Sen. Koch and provides the following: The Interim Committee on Courts and the Judiciary shall review, consider, and make recommendations concerning requests for new courts, new judicial officers, and changes in jurisdiction of existing courts and specifies the information that … [Read more...] about Courts and judicial officers