The Senate Judiciary Committee heard HB 1389 on adoption and foster care matters sponsored by Sen. Johnson and Sen. Walker and authored by Rep. Lindauer. The bill prohibits a governmental entity from discriminating against a person in adoption and foster care matters based on the person's sincerely held religious belief. The bill also allows a person to bring a cause of action … [Read more...] about Adoption and foster care matters
Immigration matters
The House Judiciary Committee heard SB 76 on immigration matters sponsored by Rep. Prescott and Rep. Jeter and authored by Sen. Brown and Sen. Garten. The bill in relevant part, provides: The Committee amended the bill by consent in relevant part to specify that the courts shall be provided written notice of an immigration detainer. The Indiana Governor’s Office, … [Read more...] about Immigration matters
Redaction of court records
The House Courts and Criminal Code Committee heard SB 246 on redaction of court records sponsored by Rep. Bascom and Rep. Ireland and authored by Sen. Freeman. The bill requires the names of child victims, child witnesses, and certain other persons to be redacted in criminal cases. To achieve redaction, the bill requires the use of an anonymous designator such as "Child … [Read more...] about Redaction of court records
Court security
The House Courts and Criminal Code Committee heard SB 291 on court security sponsored by Rep. Steuerwald and Rep. Jeter and authored by Sen. Baldwin. The bill: The committee amended the bill by consent to remove the criminal penalty portion and to declare the bill an emergency. The Indiana State Bar Association, Justice Goff (Indiana Supreme Court), and Judge … [Read more...] about Court security
Permissible unsupervised activity
The Senate Judiciary Committee heard HB 1035 on permissible unsupervised activity sponsored by Sen. Carrasco and authored by Rep. Teshka and Rep. Garcia Wilburn. The bill provides that a child is not in need of services solely because a parent, guardian, or custodian allows the child to engage in an independent activity unless the parent, guardian, or custodian is so reckless … [Read more...] about Permissible unsupervised activity