The Senate Corrections and Criminal Law Committee heard SB 170 on various election matters authored by Sen. Walker. The bill defines "election worker" and makes it a Level 6 felony to take certain actions: (1) for the purpose of influencing an election worker; (2) to obstruct or interfere with an election worker; or (3) that injure an election worker. The bill also provides an … [Read more...] about Various elections matters
Public safety
At a previous meeting, the Senate Corrections and Criminal Law Committee heard SB 240 on public safety authored by Sen. Freeman. The bill does the following: The Indiana Sheriffs’ Association testified in support of the bill and the Indiana Public Defender Council testified in opposition to the bill. On January 30, 2024, the bill was heard for amend and vote. The … [Read more...] about Public safety
Attorney’s fees
The Senate Judiciary Committee heard SB 226 concerning attorney's fees authored by Sen. Gaskill. The bill amends the hourly rate and maximum award allowed to be ordered by the court in instances where a recipient does not accept a qualified settlement offer and the final judgment is less favorable to the recipient. The bill, as amended by consent of the committee, would increase … [Read more...] about Attorney’s fees
Criminal justice data
At a previous meeting, the Senate Corrections and Criminal Law Committee heard SB 290 on criminal justice data authored by Sen. Freeman and Sen. Carrasco. The bill requires the Indiana criminal justice institute and the department of correction to collect and distribute certain criminal justice data. The Indiana Criminal Justice Institute and the Indiana Department of Correction … [Read more...] about Criminal justice data
Courts for children three years of age and younger in need of services
The House Judiciary Committee heard HB 1101 on courts for children three years of age and younger authored by Rep. Lauer. The bill establishes a safe baby court as a type of problem solving court. The bill further provides that a child in need of services is an eligible individual for purposes of a problem solving court program and that a parent or guardian of a child in need … [Read more...] about Courts for children three years of age and younger in need of services