Panel recommends boosting Indiana’s cigarette age to 21
An Indiana legislative panel is recommending that Indiana’s legal age for buying cigarettes be raised from 18 to 21.
Indiana General Assembly
Articles
Abortion parental notification law possibly headed for SCOTUS after 7th Circuit denial
The 7th Circuit Court of Appeals will not revisit a prior ruling that upheld an injunction on an Indiana law requiring “mature minors” to notify their parents before they have an abortion, setting the case up for a possible trip to the United States Supreme Court.
AG Hill, accusers take the stand in discipline hearing
The attorney discipline action against Indiana Attorney General Curtis Hill has reached a critical juncture, with public testimony concluded and the case now in the hands of hearing officer and former Justice Myra Selby.
New law gives moms, dads behind bars hope in TPR cases
Christina Kovats and Kristina Byers previously served time at the Indiana Women’s Prison, and this year they became advocates who worked to draft Indiana legislation aimed at dismantling the black-and-white mentality regarding termination of parental rights for incarcerated mothers. A new law now gives judges discretion in TPR cases involving parents behind bars.
Indiana to consider creating a government corruption hotline
Indiana residents soon could have a hotline for reporting improper or illegal spending and other suspected corruption by local government officials, if lawmakers approve a proposal being drafted by a legislative committee.
Hill disciplinary hearing concludes with AG on defense
The evidentiary hearing in the disciplinary action against Indiana Curtis Hill came to a close Thursday afternoon, with Hill taking the stand for a final time to continue defending himself and deny earlier allegations that he made crude sexual advances toward a former employee.
Lobbyist defends Hill in sometimes-contentious disciplinary hearing
The lobbyist who took Indiana Attorney General Curtis Hill to a March 2018 legislative party is defending Hill in his legal ethics case, telling a disciplinary hearing officer Wednesday that he knows when a man is “hitting on” a woman, and Hill was not.
Hill takes stand in discipline case; ex-colleague recalls crude sexual advances
Indiana Attorney General Curtis Hill has taken the stand in his attorney discipline action, beginning testimony Wednesday in a case that could jeopardize his law license. The morning’s testimony also included allegations of unwanted sexual advances Hill made by a former employee of his office when he was Elkhart County prosecutor.
Bosma, Long recall conversations with Hill about sexual misconduct allegations
House Speaker Brian Bosma recalled a May 2018 meeting with then-Senate President Pro Tempore David Long. In Long’s office, Bosma said he had something to tell him. Long stopped him – “Is it Curtis Hill?” Both Bosma and Long testified Tuesday afternoon in Indiana Attorney General Curtis Hill’s disciplinary hearing.
Lawmaker who accused AG Hill of groping opens disciplinary hearing
The attorney discipline hearing against Indiana Attorney General Curtis Hill began Monday with testimony from the state lawmaker who has accused Hill of grabbing her buttocks.
Study panel urges new courts, magistrate judges in 6 counties
A legislative study committee has given a favorable recommendation to the Indiana General Assembly to add new judicial resources in six counties.
Marion County files first charge of drug dealing resulting in death
For the first time in Marion County, a suspected drug dealer has been charged under a new law criminalizing dealing that leads to a drug user’s death.
Indiana lawmakers pushed to adopt e-cigarette liquids tax
Indiana needs state taxes to discourage the use of electronic cigarettes as vaping becomes more popular and is increasingly blamed in illnesses and deaths, the state’s main physicians organization and other health advocates said Tuesday.
Halt of simple pot prosecutions gets mixed reaction
Reactions have been mixed to the recent announcement that the Marion County Prosecutor’s Office will no longer prosecute cases of simple possession of less than 1 ounce of marijuana. Marion County Prosecutor Ryan Mears announced the new policy Sept. 30.
Reconstituted probate code commission goes to work
When the Probate Code Study Commission convened for its first meeting Aug. 12, it marked the return of a process meant to help Indiana legislators understand the often complex and intertwined issues regarding wills, estates, trusts, guardianships and other probate matters.
IndyBar: Win Tickets to the 2019 BGD LegCon!
The IndyBar Government Practice Section is pleased to offer two tickets to Bingham Greenebaum Doll’s 28th annual Legislative Conference (LegCon) to section members. LegCon will take place from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 4 at the Indiana Convention Center.
Stakeholders praise pretrial reforms at statewide summit
Across Indiana, 44 local jails are currently at capacity. But if half of all pretrial detainees were released, that number would fall to 11. A key lawmaker used that statistic Friday to demonstrate the possible benefits in Indiana’s efforts to release low-level, low-risk offenders as an alternative to cash bail.
Lawmakers study highway work zone cameras to slow speeders
Some Indiana lawmakers want to authorize the installation of work zone speed cameras along the state’s highways to photograph speeding cars and fine lead-footed motorists.
Legislative study committee hears juvenile offender concerns
Numerous stakeholders offered input and answers Thursday during a legislative committee meeting addressing laws and policies concerning the adjudication and rehabilitation of juvenile offenders.
Judge hearing suit over Indiana’s religious objections law
Conservative religious groups are arguing their constitutional rights were violated by limits that were placed on Indiana’s contentious religious objections law signed in 2015 by then-Gov. Mike Pence.