● Rape penalty
Bill number: SB 94
Author: Sen. Mike Crider, R-Greenfield; Rep. Bob Cherry, R-Greenfield, is a House sponsor
Summary: A rape charge otherwise barred by the current five-year statute of limitations may be brought to prosecution if the state discovers DNA evidence to charge the offender or if a person confesses to the crime. Bill stems from Jenny Wendt Ewing, a Greenfield native who was raped in 2005 but could not press charges when her assailant confessed in 2014 because the current statute of limitations is five years.
Status: Having been previously approved by the Senate, the bill was passed unanimously by the House and sent back to the Senate with amendments. The Senate voted 47-1 to concur with the House amendments. Bill was signed by House Speaker Brian Bosma and President Pro Tempore David Long.
This week: Bill has been sent to Gov. Mike Pence for consideration.
● Property or casualty insurance
Bill number: SB 125
Author: Sen. Mike Crider, R-Greenfield; Rep. Bob Cherry, R-Greenfield, is a House sponsor.
Summary: Prohibits insurance companies from denying payment on a claim or refusing to issue a new policy with respect to an innocent coinsured member. Stems from incidents in which one spouse maliciously damages property during divorce or separation.
Status: An amendment on the bill assigns it to a summer study committee. Approved by the Senate, the bill has been referred to the House. Bill was referred to a House committee on rules and legislative procedures.
This week: No action.
● Voluntary veterans employment policy
Bill number: SB 298
Authors: Sen. Mike Crider, R-Greenfield, Sen. Amanda Banks, R-Columbia City, and Sen. James Arnold, D-LaPorte
Summary: Approved unanimously by the Senate, the bill has been sent to the House for consideration. Provides a voluntary veterans preference policy for hiring, promoting or retaining a veteran in private employment.
Status: Bill passed by full House. It will come back to the Senate with amendments for approval.
This week: No action.
● Electric suppliers’ service areas
Bill number: SB 309
Author: Sen. Mike Crider, R-Greenfield; Rep. Bob Cherry, R-Greenfield, is a House sponsor.
Summary: Prohibits a city that owns an electric utility from petitioning to a state agency to acquire a new service area during an annexation.
Status: Approved by the full Senate in February, the bill has been sent to the House. Bill passed the House 71-20 and was returned to the Senate with amendments. Senate voted to concur with House Amendments, 44-3.
This week: Bill was signed by House Speaker Brian Bosma and President Pro Tempore David Long. Bill will be sent to Gov. Mike Pence for consideration.
● Psychiatric crisis intervention
Bill number: SB 485
Author: Sen. Mike Crider, R-Greenfield
Summary: Creates a pilot program in three counties to study services for people with psychiatric conditions and to discover gaps in programs.
Status: Approved by a committee on family and children’s services and is being considered as an addition to the state’s budget. Passed by a Senate appropriations committee.
This week: No action.
● Ethics
Bill number: HB 1002
Author: Rep. Brian Bosma, R-Indianapolis
Summary: Requires Indiana lawmakers to file more financial disclosures and prohibits elected officials from using state resources for political purposes. Stems from recent ethical concerns regarding former state Rep. Eric Turner and former Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Bennett.
Status: Approved by the House in February, the measure was sent to the Senate and referred to a Senate committee on rules and legislative procedure. The committee issued a report supporting the bill.
This week: The Senate voted to pass the bill, 49-1. Bill will return to the House with amendments.
● Redistricting
Bill number: HB 1003
Author: Rep. Brian Bosma, R-Indianapolis
Summary: Creates a committee to study how legislators draw district lines and whether the method should be changed. This could affect which geographic areas state and federal lawmakers represent; a redistricting commission may also be established.
Status: Approved by the House in February, the measure was referred to a Senate committee on elections. The committee issued a report supporting the bill.
This week: Senate voted to pass the bill, 43-7.