Criminal law committee sends sentencing bill to Legislature
What was called the key to making Indiana’s new criminal code work has received a nod of approval and is now headed to the Legislature.
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Judges persuade Commission on Courts to reject bail bond proposal and review use of psychologists
Proposed legislation regarding bail bonds died Oct. 21 in the Indiana General Assembly’s Commission on Courts hearing after Indiana Supreme Court Chief Justice Brent Dickson raised concerns about constitutionality and legislative overreach.
Indiana psychologists question qualifications for insanity evaluations
The Indiana Psychological Association tried to convince members of the Indiana General Assembly to make a key change to state law governing insanity evaluations Sept. 24, but legislators seemed skeptical of the need for a revision.
Despite constitutional concerns, judicial nomination bill advances
Proposed changes to the panel that recommends judges for the Indiana Supreme Court and Court of Appeals advanced to the House floor Monday, but not before some lawmakers said they reserved judgment on whether the measure was constitutional.
Synthetic drug ban, human trafficking bills move out of committee
Senate bills stiffening the state’s synthetic drug ban and strengthening Indiana’s human trafficking laws were approved unanimously by the House of Representatives Committee on Courts and Criminal Code Wednesday.
Justices decline to order mediation in walkout fines case
The Indiana Supreme Court issued an order Monday refusing to order mediation in the lawsuit filed by Democratic lawmakers after some of their pay was withheld following legislative walkouts in 2011 and 2012.
Problem-solving courts cut recidivism, help defendants
Indiana House Bill 1016 proposes to let court staff provide some rehabilitative services and collect fees for them.
Indiana Sen. Mike Delph’s bills raise brows in legal community
Senator drops “loser pays” attorney fees plan, but other bills target grand juries and propose retention supermajority.
Human trafficking bill goes to full Senate
A bill to strengthen the state’s human trafficking law – which was passed last year in anticipation of Indianapolis hosting the Super Bowl, has made it out of committee.
Constitutional amendment on right to hunt, fish out of committee
A proposal to add the right of Hoosiers to hunt and fish to the Indiana Constitution passed unanimously out of the Senate Committee on Agriculture and Natural Resources Monday.
Eliminating judges’ mandatory retirement to get hearing
A bill to eliminate mandatory retirement at age 75 for Indiana Supreme Court justices and Court of Appeals judges will be heard in the Senate Judiciary Committee on Wednesday.
Right to hunt amendment hearing Monday
The Senate Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee will hear Senate Joint Resolution 7 Monday, which looks to add to the Indiana Constitution the right to hunt and fish.
House Judiciary Committee to look at foreclosure fee, privacy issues
At Monday’s House Judiciary Committee, members will discuss three bills, including one that requires a court clerk to collect a $50 mortgage foreclosure counseling and education fee in certain cases.
Senate panel advances DCS oversight measure
A proposed commission that grew from a study committee examining problems at the Department of Child Services cleared the Senate Judiciary Committee Wednesday.
Lawmakers amend bill to restrict sex offenders’ access to social media
In response to a ruling by the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals, two Indiana lawmakers have introduced a proposal restricting sex offenders from using social media sites.
Senate judiciary committee to look at abuse, DNA bills
The Senate Judiciary Committee meets at 9 a.m. Wednesday and has five bills on its agenda, including legislation that redefines child fatality committees in each county.
Probate, child seduction bills move out of committees
Several bills moved out of legislative committee this week, including one that would expand the definition of child seduction to include a mental health professional engaging in certain sexual behavior with a patient between 16 and 18 years old.
Senator files bill restricting educational credit time for sex offenders
Sen. Jim Merritt, R-Indianapolis, announced Wednesday that he has introduced legislation to revise the state’s education credit law for sex offenders. He said eight months ago that he would seek to change the law after a sex offender was released early after earning this type of credit.
Indiana Democrats trying to jumpstart conversation on health care
A coalition of Democratic senators and representatives gathered at the Indiana Statehouse Wednesday morning to “jumpstart the conversation” on health care exchanges and Medicaid expansion.
Protecting students from the worst
An increased focus on school safety is expected in Indiana Legislature this session.