legislation - The Indiana Lawyer

Rallies at Statehouse show divide over Roe still wide after 46 years

January 22, 2019

On the 46^th anniversary of the landmark Roe v. Wade decision legalizing abortion, supporters and opponents scheduled rallies at the Indiana Statehouse, underscoring the deep divide over the ruling that remains more than four decades later. Advocates of reproductive rights gathered on the fourth floor of the Statehouse Tuesday to begin their push for Senate Bill 589, while Indiana Right to Life had a rally scheduled for Tuesday afternoon.

Legislature takes first step toward regional public defender offices

January 22, 2019

The Indiana General Assembly has taken the first step toward allowing Indiana counties to create regional public defenders’ offices, a change that has been championed as a means of reducing public defender caseloads and eliminating the appearance of judicial impropriety when appointing indigent defense.

Web exclusive: Hoosier legislators make second attempt at regulating hemp

January 22, 2019 | Katie Stancombe

In 1943, an Indiana farmer grew hemp on Hoosier soil to produce manufactured fibers, contributing to the efforts of World War II. More than 70 years later, his son is now poised to grow that same hemp legally in the state for the first time since.

DCS still drawing numerous reform bills in Legislature

January 22, 2019

Legislators in 2018 introduced a slew of bills trying to bring more collaboration and modest adjustments to the Department of Child Services. Lawmakers this year have introduced at least 25 bills impacting CHINS, foster parents and DCS caseloads, among other things.

Bill proposes notice for trains blocking crossings 10 minutes

January 22, 2019

After the Indiana Supreme Court struck down a state law allowing railroads to be fined for lengthy blockages of train crossings, legislation filed in the 2019 General Assembly seeks another avenue of relief for Hoosier motorists held up by trains, especially motorists driving emergency responders.

Sexual harassment bills target public official misconduct

January 22, 2019

After sexual misconduct and harassment allegations were leveled at Attorney General Curtis Hill and House Speaker Brian Bosma, harassment-related legislation is again being considered by the General Assembly, this year taking specific aim at accused elected officials.

Multi-county public defender bill before Senate committee

January 21, 2019

A Senate bill that would allow the Indiana Public Defender Commission to create guidelines for a multi-county public defender’s office will be heard by a committee Tuesday.

Full Senate set to consider juvenile attempted murder waiver legislation

January 21, 2019

The full Indiana Senate on Tuesday will consider legislation that would waive Hoosier children as young as 12 into adult court if they are charged with attempted murder.

House Ethics Committee to vote on sexual harassment policy

January 21, 2019

Indiana lawmakers will meet tomorrow to vote on proposed language that would make it an ethical violation for state representatives to commit sexual harassment, a move that comes as high-ranking elected officials are facing harassment allegations of their own. The House Statutory Committee on Ethics will vote on amended language of the House Code of Ethics upon adjournment of the House session on Tuesday.

Panel backs moving up appointment of Indiana schools chief

January 17, 2019

Indiana voters wouldn’t decide anymore who serves as the state schools superintendent under a proposal being pushed by legislative Republicans.

Indiana lawmaker seeks tighter management of veterans fund

January 16, 2019

An Indiana lawmaker is seeking to tighten up management of a grant program meant to help struggling veterans after revelations that the state agency that oversees it awarded some of the grants to its own employees.

Bar groups oppose grandparent visitation bill

January 11, 2019

The Indiana Senate Judiciary Committee is pumping the brakes on a bill that would allow grandparents and great-grandparents to seek visitation with their grandchildren despite estrangements with the children’s parents, with two notable Indiana bar association groups speaking out against the proposed legislation.

Hill accuser Reardon files bills to oust officials guilty of sexual misconduct

January 11, 2019

The Indiana lawmaker who publicly accused Indiana Attorney General Curtis Hill of drunkenly groping her in early 2018 has filed a series of bills allowing for the removal of elected officials who commit sexual misconduct and enhancing the penalties for such conduct.

Indiana mom backing tougher bus law after children’s deaths

January 9, 2019

The mother of three children struck and killed while crossing a northern Indiana highway to board their school bus supports legislation for tougher penalties against drivers who pass buses with extended stop arms.

House panel OKs new Howard, Vanderburgh magistrate judges

January 9, 2019

Two counties seeking funding for additional magistrate judges from the House Courts and Criminal Code Committee got their wish Wednesday when the panel advanced the legislation to the House floor.

Indiana Forward campaign rallies for hate crimes law

January 8, 2019

As they did in January 2018, supporters of hate crimes legislation rallied Tuesday in the Indiana Statehouse to again push lawmakers to add a bias-motivated crime statute to the Indiana law books. Advocates from a broad array of groups, including business, education, nonprofits and faith-based organizations, were on-hand to applaud and cheer as legislators and community leaders called for Indiana to join the 45 other states with hate crimes law.

Senate ethics committee passes sexual harassment amendment

January 8, 2019

The Senate Ethics Committee unanimously passed an amendment to its internal ethics rules Monday, defining sexual harassment for the first time. The Senate and House will each draft their own ethics rules and conduct training for their respective lawmakers.

House Republicans reveal agenda that doesn’t include hate crimes legislation

January 7, 2019

The priorities for Indiana House Republicans this year align with Gov. Eric Holcomb’s agenda, but one significant issue did not make the list: a hate crimes bill.

Bosma: ‘Lady legislators’ harassment policy being finalized

January 4, 2019

Although Indiana House Speaker Brian Bosma said he hopes to have the General Assembly’s sexual harassment policy finalized by the end of next week, he’s not sure if that’s possible.

Latest hate crimes proposal leaves out specific protected classes

January 4, 2019

In an effort to remove Indiana from a list of five states without hate crimes legislation, lawmakers have filed three separate bills so far in the Indiana General Assembly, but the latest measure does not specify the classes of individuals and groups who would be protected.

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