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Legislative study committees this summer will consider the addition of more courts in underserved counties and ways to improve outcomes for foster children.
Those were among the issues approved for study by Indiana’s Legislative Council as the Indiana General Assembly prepares to head into a budget-crafting legislative session next year with a new governor.
The Courts and the Judiciary Committee has been assigned to consider requests for new courts, judicial officers and changes in the jurisdiction of existing courts.
During the 2023 legislative session Daviess, Delaware, Dubois, Elkhart, Spencer and Vigo counties made requests for judicial resources that they ultimately did not receive.
Some of the requests came from looking at the weighted caseload measures that the Indiana Office of Court Services releases each year.
The committee will also be looking at the weighted caseload measures and make a recommendation on whether the number of courts or judicial officers should be decreased in some counties.
For example, the caseload report for 2023 lists Allen County as having 23.01 judges and needing 27.33 and then on the other side it has Marion County as having 93.82 judges and needing 74.56.
Another topic the committee is assigned is to look at the feasible steps that can be taken to improve timely permanent living situtations for children in foster care.
During the 2024 legislative session, the Indiana General Assembly passed HEA 1310 which created a system that pursues reunification with parents and possible adoption at the same time with the goal of creating permanency for foster children.
The source for that topic cites a letter submitted by Sen. Liz Brown, R-Fort Wayne, Rep. Vanessa Summers, D-Indianapolis, Rep. Blake Johnson, D-Indianapolis, Sen. Julie McGuire, R-Indianapolis and others.
The committee also has been assigned to look at several topics involving homeowners associations, including the enforcing of fines and collection of membership fees.
Other committees also have been asked to examine some legal issues.
The Corrections and Criminal Code Committee will do a multi-year review of current trends involving criminal behavior, sentencing, incarceration and treatment.
The Child Services Committee will review reports of state and local child fatality review teams and the Indiana Department of Child Services.
Final reports from the committees are to be submitted to the Legislative Council by Nov. 1 for review before the 2025 legislative session begins in January.
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