Study committees to look at workers’ comp, criminal history

This week at the Statehouse, interim committees will discuss issues including criminal history, criminal sentences and workers’ compensation.

The Department of Child Services Interim Study Committee met at 1 p.m. Monday to tackle financial and other provider issues. Committee members were expected to ask questions regarding the state agency’s hotline issues. Sen. Travis Holdman (R-Markle) and Rep. Cindy Noe (R-Indianapolis) announced Monday afternoon they plan to author legislation in the upcoming session to incorporate improvements to the DCS' centralized reporting hotline. They propose, among other things, providing direct access for law enforcement, judges and proseuctors to a local DCS branch through the creation of a separate hotline or calling code number.

The Interim Study Committee on Insurance meets at 10 a.m. Tuesday in Room 233 of the Statehouse, where members are scheduled to discuss the health of the workers’ compensation insurance market, hospital reimbursement under workers’ compensation insurance, and workers’ compensation benefits and cost containment.

At 10 a.m. Thursday, the Criminal Law and Sentencing Policy Study Committee is scheduled to discuss a staff report on requirements for criminal history providers and consumer reporting agencies in other states to update criminal records on a periodic basis. Members will also review draft language affecting criminal history providers doing business in Indiana.

At 1 p.m., the Criminal Code Evaluation Commission meets to look at sentencing issues, including suspendibility provisions, consecutive and concurring sentences, sentence enhancements and credit time. Anyone who wishes to testify at the commission’s Oct. 4 or 18 meetings should contact KC Norwalk at [email protected] by Sept. 28. An agenda posted online for the Oct. 4 meeting says the commission will discuss protected zones and probation issues. At the Oct. 18 meeting, it will look at funding of correctional programs and services.