The House Courts and Criminal Code Committee heard SB 313, sponsored by Rep. Kirchhofer and Rep. Hale, Sen. Head’s bill to change the definition of “sexual conduct” to include exhibition of the female breast as used in child exploitation and pornography offenses. After Sen. Head presented the bill, Suzanne O’Malley of the Indiana Prosecuting Attorneys Council said that the law had b … [Read more...] about Definition of “sexual conduct
child exploitation
Human trafficking and indecent nuisances
The House Courts and Criminal Code Committee heard SB 532, sponsored by Reps. McNamara, Cox, Hale and Lawson, on forfeiture of property used in human trafficking and indecent nuisances. Sen. Head explained that sexual trafficking would be added to the indecent nuisance statutes, and provide that 80% of the money obtained from property taken in prosecutors’ human trafficking in … [Read more...] about Human trafficking and indecent nuisances
Missing and trafficked children
The Senate Family and Children Services Committee heard HB 1216 on missing and trafficked children sponsored by Sen. Head and Sen. Houchin. The bill requires the Indiana State Police to prepare a pamphlet for distribution to every law enforcement agency to include information on the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children and the National Runaway Safeline. The bill also … [Read more...] about Missing and trafficked children
Department of Child Services
The Senate Family and Children Services Committee heard HB 1434 concerning the Department of Child Services sponsored by Sen. Head and Sen. Holdman. This legislation (1) provides for background checks for host homes used in the collaborative care program, (2) exempts DCS staff from social work licensure in the same manner as other state agencies, (3) repeals duplicative Regional … [Read more...] about Department of Child Services
Child exploitation
The Senate Corrections and Criminal Law Committee heard SB 396 on child exploitation. Author Sen. Houchin stated that the decreases in the penalty provisions for child exploitation as a result of the criminal code revision were an oversight. An amendment was adopted removing the second level penalty increases in the bill. The amended bill raises the penalty for possession of child … [Read more...] about Child exploitation