Legislature addressing CHINS, judges, bail and more: A look at where each bill stands
The following is an update on each bill Indiana Lawyer has been tracking in the 2023 legislative session. Updates are as of Feb. 10.
Legislature
Articles
Marijuana backers prepping for ‘inevitable’ legalization
With decriminalization or legalization seemingly off the table, advocates are turning their attention to a “trigger law” that would set up a regulatory framework for marijuana if the substance becomes legal at the federal level.
Bill to give teens counsel in CHINS, TPR cases stays in House Judiciary Committee after testimony
The Indiana House Judiciary Committee is considering an amendment that would allow for the appointment of counsel to certain kids in child in need of services or termination of parental rights cases.
Proposal advances for Indiana driving cards for immigrants
Indiana lawmakers pushed ahead for the first time on Tuesday a proposal that would allow immigrants living in the country illegally to obtain state-issued cards giving them permission to drive.
Bad-landlords measure gets unanimous Senate committee support
A measure allowing utility companies to ask courts to appoint receivers over certain landlords behind on their utility bills passed unanimously out of an Indiana Senate committee Thursday.
Bill requiring public retirement system to divest from ESG-following firms passes committee
An Indiana House committee on Thursday approved a bill requiring the state’s public pension system to divest from and terminate business relationships with firms or funds that use nonfinancial “ESG” factors in decisions.
Indiana lawmakers reluctant to enact policy for surveillance technology
State lawmakers are prioritizing multiple bills in the current legislative session that seek to increase data privacy. But Republican legislators remain reluctant to enact policy around increasingly common surveillance technology.
State lawmakers revive effort to require partisan school board elections
Indiana lawmakers are trying again to pass a Republican-backed proposal to make school board elections partisan despite opposition from school board members and education advocates from across the state.
Some truckers want higher speed limits; key lawmakers reluctant
Two Hoosier lawmakers are seeking to eliminate the lower speed limit for heavy trucks on rural interstates and highways, but their proposals appear to be another chapter in more than 30 years of fruitless efforts on behalf of independent truckers.
Bill denying bail to ‘substantial risks’ passes Indiana Senate
A bill that would further limit the right to bail passed the Indiana Senate on Thursday.
Hoosiers convicted of felony vote fraud would lose voting rights via House bill
Hoosiers convicted of felony vote fraud offenses wouldn’t be able to cast a ballot for 10 years under a bill passed 6-4 by the Indiana House Committee on Elections and Apportionment on Wednesday.
Indiana House GOP ‘exploring options’ to postpone school tax referendums, including for IPS
Indiana House Republicans are mulling legislation to delay local referendums to increase school property taxes until the fall election, a move that could have major implications for a rebuilding plan for Indianapolis Public Schools.
Resolution to deny bail in ‘substantial risk’ cases headed for final Senate vote after amendments fail
The Indiana Senate heard two amendments Tuesday to a resolution that would limit the right to bail, but neither passed.
Throwing stars, EMS services, food and beverage tax bills moving through Indiana Legislature
Dozens of bills are already advancing through committees and legislative chambers halfway through the third week of Indiana’s 2023 session.
IN prosecutors seeking special prosecutor unit, commission to help with lawyer shortage
A bill that would create a special prosecutors unit within the Indiana Prosecuting Attorneys Council and would also establish a prosecutor commission similar to the Indiana Public Defender Commission has cleared its first legislative hurdle.
Bill to give caregivers representation in CHINS cases passes IN Senate committee
The Indiana Senate Judiciary Committee amended and passed a bill unanimously Wednesday afternoon that would entitle caregivers to legal representation in children in need of services cases.
COA splits, reverses for family in eminent domain dispute
A split Court of Appeals of Indiana has reversed for a family in an eminent domain dispute, concluding the town that acquired their property must adhere to Indiana Code and pay them 150% of the fair market value of the property.
Lawmaker proposes removing HIV language from criminal code
A bill removing language referencing HIV from the Indiana code needs more work and will be amended before a vote next week.
Bill would require schools to tell parents about students’ pronouns, gender identities
A bill filed by a top Republican lawmaker would require schools to inform parents if students request to change their names or pronouns or generally express questions about their gender identity.
Resolution to deny bail in certain cases passes IN Senate committee
The Senate Corrections and Criminal Law Committee on Tuesday passed a resolution that would not allow bail for a person who poses a “substantial risk” to the public.