The House Ways and Means Committee heard HB 1238 on competency to stand trial authored by Rep. McNamara. The bill: The bill was amended by consent to specify that the Division of Mental Health and Addiction may consult with a forensic psychologist (rather than a “psychologist”) in establishing a training program for a competency evaluator. The amendment also provides tha … [Read more...] about Competency evaluation
Terms of US Senators and members of Congress
The House Judiciary Committee heard HJR 3 on terms of US Senators and members of Congress authored by Rep. David Hall. The bill seeks to limit the number of terms that an individual may serve in the US House of Representatives and the US Senate. Under Article V of the US Constitution, congress shall call a convention for proposing amendments upon the request of two-thirds of the … [Read more...] about Terms of US Senators and members of Congress
Damage to a fire suppression system
The Senate Corrections and Criminal Law Committee heard SB 23 authored by Sens. Becker and Crider on damages to a fire suppression system. Sen. Becker testified that this bill is a direct result of inmates damaging sprinkler heads in the Vanderburgh County Jail resulting in significant expense and disruption to the facility's operation. Amendment #1, adopted by consent, increased … [Read more...] about Damage to a fire suppression system
Commission on court appointed attorneys
The Senate Appropriations Committee heard SB 179 on commission on court appointed attorneys authored by Sen. Koch and Sen. Linda Brown. The bill: Sen. Freeman proposed an amendment, taken by consent, that the Office of Judicial Administration make available a uniform form to assist a court in making an indigency determination, which would need to be reviewed by someone who … [Read more...] about Commission on court appointed attorneys
Trespass
The Senate Corrections and Criminal Law Committee heard SB 293 on trespass authored by Sens. Maxwell and Bohacek.The bill adds a law enforcement officer to the definition of a property owner agent to the trespass statute when the property owner requests the presence of law enforcement at the property. The Indiana Prosecuting Attorney Council and the Indiana Sheriffs’ Association t … [Read more...] about Trespass