The Senate Judiciary Committee heard Sen. Crider’s SB 230 on internet crimes against children fund. The bill establishes the Internet crimes against children fund and appropriates $2,000,000 from the state general fund to the fund. The bill requires the state police department to administer the fund and use money in the fund to: (1) pay for costs incurred by the department for tr … [Read more...] about Internet crimes against children fund
sex offenses
Accessing child pornography
The House Committee on Courts and Criminal Code heard Rep. Washburne’s HB 1091 on accessing child pornography. Rep. Washburne explained that the bill would criminalize viewing child pornography without requiring that it also be possessed. A representative of the Prosecuting Attorneys Council, speaking in support, explained that Indiana law presently only criminalizes downloading ch … [Read more...] about Accessing child pornography
Expungement
The Senate Corrections and Criminal Law Committee heard Sen. Young’s SB 169 on expungement. The bill prohibits a sex or violent offender from expunging a misdemeanor conviction, provides that arrest records may be expunged if a related conviction is expunged or if the person has completed a diversion program, and permits the expungement of civil forfeiture records if a related a … [Read more...] about Expungement
Child sexual abuse prevention
The Senate Family and Children Services Committee heard Sen. Mrvan’s SB 434 on child sexual abuse prevention. The bill requires the Indiana Department of Child Services (DCS) to provide services and programs for the prevention of child sexual abuse as well as treatment and assistance for victims and families of child sexual abuse. This would include development of educational m … [Read more...] about Child sexual abuse prevention
Patronizing a prostitute
The Senate Corrections and Criminal Law Committee heard SB 100 authored by Sen. Bray on patronizing a prostitute. The bill renames the crime of patronizing a prostitute to unlawful proposition allowing the prosecution of individuals who solicit sex in exchange for money although the solicitation did not involve a prostitute. A Morgan County deputy prosecutor testified in support of t … [Read more...] about Patronizing a prostitute