The Senate Corrections and Criminal Law Committee heard SB 198 on the crime of swatting authored by Sen. Freeman. The bill specifies that, for purposes of the crime of false informing, hindering a "law enforcement process" includes causing a law enforcement officer to be dispatched. The bill also enhances the penalty for making a false report that a person is dangerous to a Level 6 … [Read more...] about Crime of swatting
Civil legal aid fund
The Senate Judiciary Committee heard SB 222 authored by Senator Carrasco on the civil legal aid fund. This bill aims to eliminate a formula in the civil legal aid statute to change how funds are distributed and limit how civil legal aid providers can use the funds. The bill was amended to require that the civil legal aid dollars not be used to initiate or participate in the … [Read more...] about Civil legal aid fund
Probable cause affidavit
The Senate Corrections and Criminal Law Committee heard SB 259 on probable cause affidavit authored by Sen. Alting and Sen. Freeman. The bill requires an affidavit for probable cause, or a person testifying at a probable cause hearing, to make disclosures relating to possible conflicts of interest. A family who experienced the non-disclosure of a law enforcement conflict of … [Read more...] about Probable cause affidavit
Burglary and robbery of a gun retailer
The Senate Corrections and Criminal Law Committee heard SB 325 on burglary and robbery of a gun retailer authored by Sen. Freeman. The bill defines gun retailer and increases the penalty for burglary to a Level 4 felony and robbery to a level 3 felony if the offense is committed on the premises of a firearm retail establishment. The bill passed 8-1 and was recommitted to … [Read more...] about Burglary and robbery of a gun retailer
Offenses against children
The Senate Corrections and Criminal Law Committee heard SB 326 on offenses against children authored by Sen. Freeman. The bill replaces the term "child pornography" with the term "child sex abuse material" throughout the Indiana Code. The bill also provides that it is a defense to prosecution of child exploitation and possession of child sex abuse material if a school employee, … [Read more...] about Offenses against children