Lawmakers consider funding for lead crisis in East Chicago
State lawmakers are considering two plans allocating a total of $15 million in state funds for the lead crisis in East Chicago.
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House panel OKs needle exchange bill despite AG’s opposition
A proposal that would give counties and municipalities control over creating needle-exchange programs in their communities advanced through a legislative committee Wednesday, despite opposition from new Attorney General Curtis Hill.
Lawmakers consider bill prohibiting misdemeanor sex-crime expungement
After a high school teacher in Bedford was convicted of a felony for maintaining a sexual relationship with his 17-year-old student, the teacher received alternative misdemeanor sentencing and, upon, successful completion of probation, had the sexual offense expunged from his criminal record.
House hearing set for Marion County judicial selection bill
An Indiana House committee will hear a bill Wednesday that would institute a new system for selecting the 36 judges of Marion Superior Court but would retain the partisan balance on the court that was a key element of the former system invalidated by a federal court.
College savings plan benefits could expand
As 529 plans hit 20-year milestone in Indiana, new state and federal contribution incentives have been proposed.
Indiana bill would keep pets with domestic violence victims
Victims of domestic violence could take their pets with them after leaving the relationship under an Indiana lawmaker's measure that seeks to remove an impediment to reporting abuse.
GOP lawmaker targets protesters obstructing traffic
An Indiana lawmaker says disturbing newscasts of chaotic and sometimes violent protests across the U.S. helped lead him to propose a bill that would direct police to use "any means necessary" to breakup mass gatherings that block traffic.
GOP leaders pledge vape law overhaul, subject of FBI probe
Republican legislative leaders say they want to unwind stiff regulations they imposed on Indiana’s vaping industry, which created a stranglehold on the burgeoning market for one company and prompted an FBI investigation.
6 hate crime bills introduced at Statehouse
Once again, a handful of Indiana lawmakers and community organizations are trying to get hate-crime legislation through the Statehouse and onto the governor’s desk.
Senate committee extends for $1 pro bono filing fee
A bill extending the $1 additional civil filing fee to support pro bono programs sailed through a Senate committee Wednesday despite a discussion about the possibility of allowing Marion County small claims courts to keep the filing fees they collect for themselves.
State’s dubious vaping law to get big overhaul
Indiana’s vaping industry could be upended again as lawmakers tackle changes to a law that has been roundly criticized as unfair and even corrupt.
Critics blast Marion County judge-selection proposals
Legislation assuring partisan balance on the bench has key stakeholder and lawmaker support.
Legislation would extend Marion Superior judges’ terms
A proposal for a new judicial selection system for Indianapolis would require term extensions for all 36 Marion Superior judges, the bill’s author said.
Merit selection, with recommendations for voters, proposed for Indy bench
A bill in the Indiana General Assembly would establish merit selection for Marion Superior judges, but Indianapolis’ version would also include recommendations from the judicial selection committee on whether voters should retain judges.
Indiana GOP senator says bill aimed at Islamic law concerns
One of the Indiana legislators proposing to prohibit state judges from referring to foreign laws says he is concerned that Islamic religious law could be cited in civil cases.
Indiana bill seeks to eliminate requirement for gun permits
Gun rights advocates view the upcoming legislative session as their best bet to get rid of an Indiana law that requires a license to carry handguns.
Anti-refugee sentiment from election spills over to states
The push to restrict refugee resettlement and immigration in the U.S. that figured so prominently in Donald Trump's election is now headed to states that are preparing to convene their legislative sessions early next year, immigration advocates said.
AG-elect says drug offenders need to be held accountable
Since the Legislature revised the state’s criminal code to provide drug treatment and recovery services to low-level drug offenders, Indiana has been brutalized by an opioid epidemic that has led to a resurgence of HIV along with needle exchange programs in eight counties and counting.
Lawmakers to file plan for reducing youth suicide
Indiana lawmakers plan to file a plan in January aimed at reducing the number of children, teens and young adults who kill themselves.
DNA-collection bills to be introduced in 2017 Legislature
After introducing DNA-collection legislation that failed to even get a committee hearing in the two previous General Assembly sessions, Rep. B. Patrick Bauer will be getting boost in the upcoming session from a Republican Senator offering a companion bill in the upper chamber.