The Senate Judiciary Committee heard HB 1322 concerning trial court jurisdiction sponsored by Sen. Steele. The bill specifies that circuit courts, superior courts, and probate courts have original and concurrent jurisdiction under certain provisions of the Indiana Code. This bill is a follow-up to legislation adopted in 2011 on this general topic. Judge Mary Willis, Henry Circuit … [Read more...] about Trial court jurisdiction
Business entities; series limited liability
The Senate Civil Law Committee heard HB 1336, sponsored by Sen. Bray, on business entities; series limited liability. Author Rep. Cox stated that this bill makes various changes to business and other association law, including allowing for the creation of series limited liability companies in Indiana. This bill also recognizes the commercial court pilot, stating that a case may also … [Read more...] about Business entities; series limited liability
Juvenile justice
The Senate Judiciary Committee heard HB 1369, on juvenile justice which assigns the task of looking at innovative juvenile programs to the Commission on Improving the Status of Children. Sponsor Sen. Holdman explained that the intent is to showcase programs, including those offered by community corrections programs, across the state. The bill passed 7-0. Read the bill … [Read more...] about Juvenile justice
Administrative law study commission
The House Judiciary Committee heard SB 1, sponsored by Rep. Steuerwald and Rep Koch, establishing a 12-member administrative law study commission to determine whether to establish a centralized administrative court to replace existing administrative-law and environmental-law judges. Author Sen. Steele explained that qualifications and salaries of ALJs vary widely from agency to … [Read more...] about Administrative law study commission
Release of identifying adoption information
The House Committee on Judiciary heard SB 91, sponsored by Rep. Steuerwald and Rep. Gutwein, on release of identifying adoption information. The bill repeals existing provisions applicable to adoptions finalized before 1994 that prohibit the release of a birth parent’s information unless a consent to release is on file. Effective July 1, 2018, adoption information can be released u … [Read more...] about Release of identifying adoption information