The House Courts and Criminal Code Committee heard HB 1105 concerning DNA exception to statute of limitations for rape authored by Rep. Hale. The bill adds Class B felony rape (if committed before July 1, 2014) to the provision regarding the exceptions to the statute of limitations commencing prosecuting such offense that currently apply to Level 3 felony rape. The Indiana … [Read more...] about DNA exception to statute of limitations for rape
Human trafficking
The House Courts and Criminal Code Committee heard HB 1199 concerning human trafficking authored by Reps. McNamara, Olthoff, Steuerwald, and Kirchhofer. The bill adds the crime of promotion of human trafficking of a minor to the definition of “sex offender” and “sex or violent offender.” The Attorney General’s Office and the Indiana Prosecuting Attorneys Council testified in support … [Read more...] about Human trafficking
Drug offenses
The House Courts and Criminal Code Committee heard HB 1235 concerning drug offenses authored by Reps. Steuerwald, Koch, McNamara, Goodin. The bill makes a prior conviction of dealing in synthetic drugs an enhancing circumstance for the purpose of sentencing for dealing in controlled substances offenses and makes the minimum sentence for a Level 2 felony conviction under IC 35-48-4-1 … [Read more...] about Drug offenses
Child abuse or neglect allegations in military families
The House Family, Children and Human Affairs Committee heard HB 1271, child abuse or neglect allegations in military families, authored by Rep. Zent. This bill requires the Department of Child Services (DCS) to notify the U.S. Department of Defense Family Advocacy Program (DOD) if a child of an active duty member of the military is the subject of an assessment regarding an … [Read more...] about Child abuse or neglect allegations in military families
Trial court jurisdiction
The House Courts and Criminal Code Committee heard HB 1322 concerning trial court jurisdiction authored by Rep. Koch. The bill amends a number of statutes to allow all trial courts to have the same jurisdiction to act in these areas. This bill is a follow-up to legislation adopted in 2011 on this general topic. Judge John Pera, Lake Superior Court, testified in favor of the bill o … [Read more...] about Trial court jurisdiction