The Senate Family and Children Services Committee heard SB 171 on reunification plan for a child in need of services authored by Sen. Greg Walker. The bill amends the circumstances under which reasonable efforts to reunify a child with the child's parent, guardian, or custodian or preserve a child's family are not required. If passed as written, DCS will no longer be required to try … [Read more...] about Reunification plan for a child in need of services
Compensation for victims of violent crime
The Senate Corrections and Criminal Law Committee heard SB 172 on compensation for victims of violent crime authored by Sen. Crider. The bill does the following: The Indiana Criminal Justice Institute and the Indiana Public Defender Council testified in support of the bill. The bill passed 8-0. Read the bill at https://iga.in.gov/legislative/2024/bills/senate/172 … [Read more...] about Compensation for victims of violent crime
Commission on court appointed attorneys
The Senate Judiciary Committee heard SB 179 on the commission on court appointed attorneys authored by Sen. Koch. The bill amends the name of the Indiana Public Defender Commission to the Indiana Commission on Court Appointed Attorneys, provides for a seven-county pilot that would reimburse 100% for misdemeanor cases through June 30, 2029, for compliance with commission … [Read more...] about Commission on court appointed attorneys
Regulation of drones near correctional facilities
The Senate Corrections and Criminal Law Committee heard SB 182 on regulation of drones near correctional facilities authored by Sen. Koch. The bill provides that the crime of trafficking with an inmate includes the use of an unmanned aerial vehicle (drone) to deliver contraband, and that the crime of public safety remote aerial interference includes operation of a drone to … [Read more...] about Regulation of drones near correctional facilities
Disaster emergency
The Senate Judiciary Committee heard SB 234 on disaster emergency authored by Sen. Garten. The bill would remove the ability for the Governor to renew an executive order or proclamation of an emergency after the initial 30-day period expires. The bill was amended by a vote of 7-3 to include a provision that the Governor could not declare a new state of disaster emergency … [Read more...] about Disaster emergency