The Senate Corrections & Criminal Law Committee heard Sen. Houchin’s SB 405 on offenses committed by incarcerated individuals. The bill provides that the knowing or intentional possession of a cell phone, storage media, a SIM card, or any other cellular or wireless communications device while incarcerated in a jail or state penal facility is a Level 5 felony instead of a Class A … [Read more...] about Offenses committed by incarcerated individuals
Bias crimes
The Senate Corrections & Criminal Law Committee heard Sens. Ruckelshaus and Glick’s SB 439 on bias crimes, making it an aggravating circumstance for the purposes of imposing a criminal sentence that the crime was committed with the intent to harm or intimidate an individual because of certain perceived or actual characteristics of the individual. The Committee amended the bill t … [Read more...] about Bias crimes
Attorney general settlements and fund
The Senate Judiciary Committee heard Sen. Kenley’s SB 544 on Attorney General settlements and fund. The bill requires the Attorney General to include certain language concerning settlement funds in proposed court order language; establishes the consumer protection fee, and settlement fund (fund) for purposes of carrying out the duties and operations of the office of the attorney g … [Read more...] about Attorney general settlements and fund
Habitual offender requirements
The House Courts & Criminal Code Committee heard HB 1064 authored by Rep. Steuerwald and co-authored by Rep. Pierce on habitual offender requirements. The bill is meant to clarify legislative intent behind the amendments to I.C. § 35-50-2-8(c) that took effect in 2014 and provides that persons convicted of a new level 5 felony offense will qualify for sentencing as a habitual off … [Read more...] about Habitual offender requirements
Authorization to carry a handgun
The House Public Policy Committee heard Rep. Eberhart’s HB 1071 providing that certain persons protected by a civil protection order have authorization to carry a handgun without a license for: (1) 60 days after the date the civil protection order is issued; or (2) 60 days after the date the person applies for a license to carry a handgun, if the person applies for the license d … [Read more...] about Authorization to carry a handgun