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.
Indiana General Assembly
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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.
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.
Indiana solicitor general: ‘Good day’ for traditional marriage at SCOTUS
Indiana and other states against same-sex marriage appeared to make a strong impression on the U.S. Supreme Court justices Tuesday, Indiana Solicitor General Thomas Fisher said after watching arguments in Washington.
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.
Indiana Senate to hold hearings on crime bills
Two crime bills moving through the Indiana General Assembly are on the agenda for Senate hearings next week.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Refiguring workers’ comp in Indiana
A House bill looks to raise worker benefits, causing a tug-of-war over hospital reimbursement.
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.
Medicaid expansion not dead but Legislature still divided
When talking about expanding Medicaid under the provisions of the Affordable Care Act, both sides of the aisle in the Statehouse focus on the same point – costs.