Bill adding magistrates, judges in 3 counties moves to governor
Legislation that will add more judicial officers in Hamilton, Hendricks and Owen counties passed unanimously out of the House of Representatives Tuesday.
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Contentious Senate panel advances voucher expansion
A proposal to expand Indiana’s school voucher program moved to the full Senate on Tuesday, but not before opponents said the unknown costs and impact of the bill amounted to a fiscal cliff for the state and a bailout of private religious schools.
Kenley appears warm to boost in Odyssey funding
Senate Appropriations Chairman Luke Kenley, R-Noblesville, on Thursday signaled he supported a boost in funding for the Odyssey case management system and other court technology functions, after proposed funding was reduced in the House budget plan.
Bill reforming criminal code passes Senate committee
The first comprehensive overhaul of Indiana’s felony statutes in more than 35 years passed the Senate Committee on Corrections and Criminal Law Thursday by a vote of 8-1.
Concerns about CHINS petitions raised during budget hearings
After the Indiana Department of Child Services made its presentation to the Senate Appropriations Committee Thursday, the discussion quickly turned to Child in Need of Services petitions.
Senators skeptical of funding Odyssey access for public defenders
Senate budget writers appeared skeptical of a request Thursday to spend more than $2.1 million over the next four years to give public defenders statewide the same access to case management systems that prosecutors, judges and others have in many counties.
Senate passes civil immunity, sentencing alternatives for young offenders bills
The Indiana Senate approved several pieces of legislation from the House this week, including a bill that would establish sentencing alternatives for certain offenders under the age of 18.
Criminal Code bill gets Senate hearing
Concerns over sentencing provisions and pleas for adequate funding dominated the Senate hearing on legislation overhauling the state’s criminal code.
Tax cut dispute overshadowing Legislature’s work to lower state’s unemployment, Bosma tells lawyers
A public spat between the Legislature and governor’s office over tax cuts has become an overarching issue, but Indiana Speaker of the House Brian Bosma said the state should be focusing on job creation.
Many efforts arise to address abandoned property, few go forward
State Sen. Jim Merritt wanted to help an eastside Indianapolis church gain possession of some long-abandoned, derelict houses, tear them down and establish a neighborhood park. But it turned out there wasn’t much the law allowed the church to do.
Lawmakers advance bill to aid courthouse restoration, but money is missing
Nearly every county seat in Indiana could benefit from a bill promoting historic courthouse renovation and maintenance projects. Only problem is, when lawmakers passed the legislation through the Senate they stripped out the money for it.
Problem-solving courts, CHINS legislation return to house of origin
The Indiana Senate passed several House bills Tuesday, including legislation expanding when a person can participate in a problem-solving court program. The House of Representatives returned bills on children in need of services petitions and prosecutor pensions back to the Senate.
DCS centralized hotline undergoes changes in advance of legislation
Prior to the Indiana General Assembly implementing recommendations from an interim study committee, the Indiana Department of Child Services is making changes.
House Committee approves CHINS bill returning power to prosecuting attorneys
A bill giving prosecuting attorneys the ability to file a Child in Need of Services petition continues to garner strong support in the Indiana General Assembly.
Indiana Senate president pro tem pushes for Constitutional Convention
Indiana Senate President Pro Tem David Long admits his effort to convene a state-driven Constitutional Convention will be a struggle.
Humane Society, ASPCA target confined-hunting bill
Two-legged and four-legged lobbyists will head to the Indiana Statehouse on Tuesday to oppose a bill that would lift a ban on hunting animals in fenced areas.
Senate panel to hear problem-solving courts, ‘sovereign citizen’ bills
Proposals to expand services offered by problem-solving courts and to attempt to curtail fraudulent liens and other tactics of so-called sovereign citizens will be heard Wednesday by the Senate Judiciary Committee.
House committee to hear sex offender, immediate detention bills
The Senate Corrections & Criminal Law Committee meets Tuesday morning to hear four bills, including a bill altering registry requirements and procedures for sex offenses and sex offenders.
Bill creating study of judicial retirement benefits moves to House
A Senate bill asking the Legislative Council to have the Pension Management Oversight Commission look at the retirement, disability and death benefits provided to judges and full-time magistrates passed out of the Senate Tuesday by a vote of 50-0.
Long expects Criminal Code revision will get Senate approval
Indiana’s first major rewrite of the state’s Criminal Code in more than 30 years is now in the hands of the Senate where the Senate leader believes it will ultimately be approved.