Manager suing state child welfare agency over caseload
A lawsuit filed on behalf of a Department of Child Services family case manager contends her caseload is more than twice what Indiana law allows, and the excessive work puts children at risk.
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Innovation in mobile health impacts law
There is a health care revolution going on in your pocket and on your wrist, and it is one for which the legal system is ill-prepared.
Weighing the ‘Right to Try’ law
A new law promising terminally ill patients access to trial drugs is no cure-all.
Some justices dubious of synthetic drug law arguments
At least two of Indiana’s five Supreme Court justices were openly skeptical of arguments that the state’s scheme for criminalizing synthetic drugs such as Spice and bath salts is unconstitutional, as the Court of Appeals ruled.
Law sending low-level offenders to counties raises questions
Indiana counties are expecting to see increases in their inmate populations under a new law that will send low-level offenders to county jails, work release or home detention instead of to prison, the South Bend Tribune reported Sunday.
Most new Indiana laws effective July 1
Read about the new laws passed during the 2015 session.
Local efforts to limit Fourth of July festivities fizzle
Not everyone is having a blast over the explosion of fireworks use in Indiana in recent years. But local attempts so far to curb the concussions have bombed.
Renewed fight expected over Indiana abortion clinic rules
Indiana's push to place tougher restrictions on a Lafayette Planned Parenthood clinic that provides abortions only by using drugs, not surgery, could spark a new court fight under a revised law set to take effect in July.
Court strikes down ‘born in Jerusalem’ passport law
The Supreme Court of the United States struck down a disputed law Monday that would have allowed Americans born in Jerusalem to list their birthplace as Israel on their U.S. passports in an important ruling that underscores the president's authority in foreign affairs.
New laws shelter attorneys-in-fact from liability in settling estates
How long heirs have to initiate an action arising from an attorney-in-fact’s final accounting of an estate has been an open question in Indiana, but a recent change in state law settles it. Mostly.
Expected changes to Patriot Act better, says IU Maurer cybersecurity expert
The failure of the U.S. Senate to reauthorize parts of the Patriot Act surprised cybersecurity expert Fred Cate, but he hesitated to describe the expiration of the legislation as a major shift in current policy.
Court declines to rule on constitutionality of statute as it relates to auditors
Because the Marion County auditor does not have statutory or common law standing to appeal a property tax assessment board of appeals’ decision under Indiana Code 6-1.1-15-12 to the Indiana Tax Court, its judge, Martha Wentworth, held that the constitutional challenge raised regarding the statute will have to be decided another day.
Gov. Mike Pence passes law to address vacant housing
City officials in Indianapolis are applauding a law that Indiana Gov. Mike Pence signed last week that won't let municipalities hold banks responsible for upkeep on vacant homes.
Pence signs bill repealing Indiana construction wage law
Local boards will no longer set minimum wages for public construction projects in Indiana under a law signed Wednesday by Gov. Mike Pence.
Pence signs bill tightening Indiana’s state ethics laws
Indiana Gov. Mike Pence has endorsed an overhaul of state ethics laws that requires greater financial disclosure by lawmakers and expressly prohibits elected officials from using state resources for political purposes.
New law will give immunity to volunteer medical workers
Doctors, nurses and other health care providers will have civil immunity for their volunteer work under a new Indiana law.
Religious freedom turmoil likely to spill into next year
The colorful fliers passed out by aides to Indiana Gov. Mike Pence and House Speaker Brian Bosma last week highlighted what both called numerous accomplishments of this year’s legislative session.
Revised sentence modification statute not applicable in defendant’s case
A trial court did not err in denying a man’s petition to modify his sentence after finding that the current version of the sentencing modification statute is not applicable to his sentence, which he began serving in 1989. The Indiana Court of Appeals panel relied on a January decision by its colleagues to affirm the denial of Mitchell Swallows’ petition.
New Albany council to weigh in on religious objections law
The revision of Indiana's religious objections law isn't stopping a southern Indiana city from considering a measure condemning the statute.
Groups aim to further expand gay rights at state level
Gay rights advocates are hoping to parlay the momentum from their legislative victories in Indiana and Arkansas this week into further expanding legal protections for gays and lesbians in those states and others.