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
sex offenses
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
Various criminal law matters
S.E.A. 14, P.L. 13 Effective: §§1, 3-20 effective July 1, 2016; §2 effective March 21, 2016 Makes the offense of child exploitation a Level 4 felony instead of a Level 5 felony if the offense involves, depicts, or describes a child less than 18 years of age who: (1) engages in bestiality; (2) is mentally disabled or deficient; (3) participates in the sexual conduct, matter, pe … [Read more...] about Various criminal law matters