The Senate Civil Law Committee heard HB 1102, sponsored by Sen. Steele, on patent protection. This bill prohibits a person from asserting a claim of patent infringement in bad faith. It provides that a court may, upon motion, require a person to post a bond if the target establishes a reasonable likelihood that the person has made an assertion of patent infringement in bad faith. It … [Read more...] about Patent protection
Garnishment of state tax refunds
The Senate Civil Law Committee heard HB 1358, sponsored by Sen. Steele and Sen. Broden, on the garnishment of state tax refunds. Author Rep. Cox explained that the bill provides that if a debt has been reduced to a judgment in Indiana and the judgment has not been satisfied, set aside, or discharged in bankruptcy, the judgment creditor may garnish a state tax refund otherwise due … [Read more...] about Garnishment of state tax refunds
DOC specialized vocational program
The House Courts and Criminal Code Committee heard SB 173 concerning the Department of Correction specialized vocational program. Sponsor Rep. Washburne explained that this bill permits the Department of Correction to establish a specialized vocational program to train minimum security inmates in trades such as truck driving, manufacturing, plumbing, construction, and heating, … [Read more...] about DOC specialized vocational program
Credit time
The House Courts and Criminal Code Committee heard SB 175 sponsored by Rep. Steuerwald on credit time. This bill is intended to resolve conflicts in the interpretation of the various credit time terms used throughout the Indiana Code. Rep. Pierce introduced an amendment, adopted by consent, specifying that this bill (1) clarifies current law and does not create new law, (2) does not … [Read more...] about Credit time
Inmate correspondence
The House Courts and Criminal Code Committee heard SB 285 sponsored by Rep. Dermondy and Rep. McMillin on inmate correspondence. Author Sen. Tomes explained that the bill gives offenders within the Department of Correction the option of sending correspondence via electronic mail or through the US Postal Service. Sen. Tomes stated that DOC currently provides offenders with stationery … [Read more...] about Inmate correspondence