Governor signs DCS, new judge legislation

Gov. Mitch Daniels signed legislation last week that gives Johnson Superior Court a fourth judge and Allen Circuit Court another full-time magistrate, and an enrolled act that makes changes to the Department of Child Services.

In addition to giving Johnson Superior Court a new judge in 2015, House Enrolled Act 1092 states that a City Court in a city that has between 10,500 and 11,000 residents has concurrent jurisdiction with the Circuit Court in civil cases in which the amount in controversy doesn’t exceed $1,500. Senate Enrolled Act 152 gives Allen Circuit Court a second full-time magistrate beginning July 1, 2013.  

Senate Enrolled Act 286, among other things, requires DCS to conduct a criminal history check of certain people before a child is reunited with a parent or guardian. It also states that an audio recording of a telephone call to the child abuse hotline is confidential and can only be released upon a court order. It requires that if a hearing regarding a petition to terminate parental rights isn't commenced or held within a certain time frame, the court should dismiss it.

The governor has also signed:

•    HEA 1065, on military custody and parenting time matters.

•    HEA 1273, which requests the Legislative Council study the topic of creating a centralized department of administrative law judges within the Office of the Indiana Attorney General.

•    SEA 156, which establishes a new procedure for partitioning real and personal property.

•    SEA 157, on copy of power of attorney.

•    SEA 246, on lab technician testimony in criminal cases.

•    HEA 1033 on conversion of a Class D felony to a Class A misdemeanor.

Daniels has received all of the legislation approved by the General Assembly this session. He has seven days from the date he received the enrolled act to sign or veto it. If he takes no action by the seventh day, it becomes law without signature.