The Senate Corrections and Criminal Law Committee heard SB 212, Sen. Miller’s bill on inmates and Medicaid. The bill authorizes the Department of Correction to act as an inmate’s representative for Medicaid and to authorize a sheriff to act as Medicaid representative for persons detained in the jail pending trial. Testimony was received about the amounts the State and counties will s … [Read more...] about Inmates and Medicaid
Mental health drugs
The Health and Provider Services Committee heard SB 464 authored by Sen. Patricia Miller on mental health drugs. The bill was prepared at the request of Attorney General Zoeller and the Prescription Drug Abuse Task Force in response to epidemic prescription opioid abuse. The bill provides that addictions counseling, inpatient detoxification services, and long-acting, non-addictive … [Read more...] about Mental health drugs
Missing children and trafficked children
The House Family, Children and Human Affairs Committee heard Rep. Truitt’s HB 1216 concerning missing children and trafficked children. The legislation requires the Indiana State Police to prepare an informational pamphlet for distribution to every law enforcement agency with toll free numbers for the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, the National Runaway Hotline a … [Read more...] about Missing children and trafficked children
Department of Child Services
The House Family, Children and Human Affairs Committee heard Rep. Mahan’s HB 1434 making various juvenile law changes which affect the Department of Child Services and juvenile courts. Representative Mahan introduced the bill, which has five portions: requires the Indiana State Police to conduct a record check of local records in addition to the national background check, for se … [Read more...] about Department of Child Services
Magistrates and criminal trials
The Senate Judiciary Committee heard SB 137, Sen. Bray’s bill on magistrates and criminal trials. This bill provides that a magistrate may not preside over a criminal trial or sentencing hearing if the defendant timely requests that the elected circuit court or superior court judge preside. The amendment, adopted by consent, requires that the same magistrate must preside over the t … [Read more...] about Magistrates and criminal trials