The Senate Corrections and Criminal Law Committee heard SB 133 concerning sentencing authored by Sen. Freeman and Sen. Sandlin. The bill enhances the penalty for child exploitation and child pornography if the person has a previous conviction. The bill provides that a court may suspend only that part of a sentence that is in excess of the minimum sentence for a person convicted of a … [Read more...] about Sentencing
Provocation and obstruction
The Senate Corrections and Criminal Law Committee heard SB 194 regarding provocation and obstruction authored by Sen. Baldwin. The bill increases the penalty for provocation if committed against a public safety official and increases the penalty for obstruction of traffic under certain circumstances. The bill was amended to remove the provisions concerning provocation. Testimony in … [Read more...] about Provocation and obstruction
Expungement
The Senate Corrections and Criminal Law Committee heard SB 255 concerning expungement authored by Sen. Freeman. The bill permits expungement of eligible felony convictions if the convicted person meets certain requirements and has not been convicted of another felony within a specified time period. The bill was amended to remove language regarding waiting periods and prohibit sale … [Read more...] about Expungement
Expiration of contact preference forms
The Senate Judiciary Committee heard SB 268 on expiration of contact preference forms, authored and presented by Sen. Michael Young. The bill provides adoptees can receive information regarding birth parents after the birth parent has died regardless of the date of the adoption. The bill also eliminates the use of contact preference forms for adoptions finalized after June 30, … [Read more...] about Expiration of contact preference forms
Court matters
The Senate Judiciary Committee heard SB 380 on court matters, authored and presented by Sen. Koch. The bill provides for a new Hamilton Superior Court. The bill also allows for appointment of a magistrate in Decatur County, Hancock County, Huntington County, Knox County, and Lake Superior Court. It also allows clerks to retain a $3 administrative fee from excess amounts collected b … [Read more...] about Court matters