Zoeller to speak at DCS study committee Thursday
Indiana Attorney General Greg Zoeller is scheduled to appear before the Department of Child Services Interim Study Committee meeting Thursday afternoon.
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Court of Appeals reverses and remands inmate’s request for kosher meals
A Pendleton Correctional Facility inmate will not be able to collect monetary damages against employees of the Indiana Department of Correction, but his request for kosher meals will get a second review.
Indiana Department of Child Services urged to set course for new direction
With a new governor taking over Indiana’s executive branch in January, what changes, if any, will come to the Department of Child Services are unknown. However, some contend that should not stop the agency from addressing criticism and implementing new policies or programs now.
Attorneys general warn against federal payday loan regulation
A bill in Congress that would extend federal regulation to the payday lending industry would pre-empt state laws and undermine consumer safeguards, Indiana Attorney General Greg Zoeller warned in a letter signed by 40 attorneys general.
Zoeller: Problem-solving courts may help fight Rx abuse
Indiana Attorney General Greg Zoeller said a newly formed prescription drug abuse task force will examine whether special problem-solving courts may be a venue for fighting prescription painkiller abuse.
Judges’, prosecutors’ pension funds receive split of surplus reserves
Indiana’s Judges’ Pension Fund and Prosecutors’ Pension Fund will receive nearly 30 percent of the $360 million in surplus money from the state reserves, the governor’s office announced Thursday.
Committee taking another look at emancipation law
The Child Custody and Support Advisory Committee meets Tuesday to discuss the law passed during the 2012 legislative session that reduced the age of emancipation to 19 for child support purposes.
New provisions shine light on patent process
One addition under the America Invents Act is the public has the opportunity to participate in pre- and post-grant reviews.
Victim funds create legal, public policy issues
Kenneth Feinberg, an authority on victim compensation funds, says circumstances warranting these types of programs are “rare.”
Zoeller, senators at odds over immigration law
Indiana lawmakers seek to intervene with aid of Kansas official Kris Kobach.
Task force, billboards part of AG’s prescription drug abuse fight
Billboards around Indiana are part of an awareness campaign about the dangers of prescription drug abuse announced Monday by Indiana Attorney General Greg Zoeller.
Payne resigns as head of DCS
James W. Payne, the director of the Indiana Department of Child Services since 2004, submitted his resignation letter Monday to Gov. Mitch Daniels. The resignation comes after news reports raised questions about his involvement in DCS actions pertaining to his grandchildren.
Study committees to look at workers’ comp, criminal history
This week at the Statehouse, interim committees will discuss issues including criminal history, criminal sentences and workers’ compensation.
Chief justice approves master jury list
Indiana Chief Justice Brent Dickson has signed off on the 2013 master list for jury pool assembly. The Judicial Technology & Automation and Jury committees merged data from the Bureau of Motor Vehicles and Department of Revenue to create the list. Any obvious duplicate information, errors or nonqualified persons were removed.
DCS launching pilot to address children with mental health issues
The Department of Child Services announced Monday that it will fund a two-month pilot program that will utilize local services to provide help for juveniles with mental health issues.
Governor appoints Rush to Supreme Court
Gov. Mitch Daniels has selected Tippecanoe Superior Judge Loretta Rush to sit on the Indiana Supreme Court. Rush is the second woman to serve on the state's highest court.
Attorney general’s office will now represent DCS on appeal
Indiana Attorney General Greg Zoeller announced Thursday afternoon that the attorney general’s office will take over appellate representation of the Department of Child Services. DCS currently utilizes attorneys of its choice in appellate matters.
Proposed med mal complaint fee divides Court of Appeals
In a dissent from Judge Nancy Vaidik involving a proposed medical malpractice complaint filed with the Department of Insurance before filing fees were paid, Vaidik claimed Judge James Kirsch created a new test to determine whether a complaint is timely filed and shifted the burden of ensuring fees are paid to the Department of Insurance instead of the attorney.
Man’s barking dogs did not violate noise ordinance
An Indianapolis man will be able to keep all four of his dogs after the Indiana Court of Appeals found that complaints by just one neighbor about barking didn’t support finding he violated a local noise ordinance. The trial judge had ordered he get rid of two of his dogs.
Sept. 11 victims fund chief shares poignant, practical experience
Kenneth Feinberg brought tears to many of the attorneys who heard him speak Tuesday at the Indiana University Robert H. McKinney School of Law in Indianapolis about overseeing the compensation fund for victims of the Sept. 11 attacks.