The Courts & Criminal Code Committee heard Rep. John Young’s HB 1453 on appellate defender and misdemeanor reimbursement. The author testified that this was brought by the Public Defender Commission. This bill establishes the office of the state appellate defender and the juvenile defense office to provide direct appeals for indigent individuals. It also provides that a county m … [Read more...] about Appellate defender and misdemeanor reimbursement
Punitive damages
For amend and vote only, the Senate Judiciary Committee heard Sen. Becker’s SB 27 providing that limitations on punitive damages do not apply to civil actions in which the plaintiff was injured as a result of conduct described in certain criminal sexual misconduct statutes. The bill was amended by consent to clarify the crimes included and that it does not apply against an employer w … [Read more...] about Punitive damages
Fertility fraud
The Senate Judiciary Committee heard Sen. Sandlin’s SB 174 on fertility fraud. This introduced bill provides that a physician who treats a patient of that physician for infertility by using the physician's own spermatozoon or ovum, without the patient's consent or by using donated human reproductive material without the consent of the donor commits fertility fraud, a Level 6 felony. … [Read more...] about Fertility fraud
License reinstatement fee reduction
The Senate Committee on Corrections and Criminal Law heard Sen. Taylor’s SB 210 on the license reinstatement fee reduction reducing the driver's license reinstatement fee to: (1) $25 for a first suspension; (2) $50 for a second suspension; and (3) $100 for a third suspension. The bill was amended by consent to clarify the past and future reinstatement fee reduction, restr … [Read more...] about License reinstatement fee reduction
Indiana Criminal Justice Institute
The Senate Committee on Corrections and Criminal Law heard Sen. Freeman’s SB 238 on the Indiana Criminal Justice Institute expanding grant funding beyond the county and state governments, removing duplicate and nonexistent funding, and abolishing certain programs within the institute. Representatives of the Indiana Criminal Justice Institute and Indiana Coalition to End Sexual A … [Read more...] about Indiana Criminal Justice Institute