Establishes the Indiana prosecuting attorney commission as a division of IPAC to: (1) make recommendations to the general assembly concerning staffing for prosecuting services; (2) adopt guidelines and standards for attorney services; and (3) provide reimbursement to counties for expenses incurred in connection with attorney services.
Allows the appointment of additional prosecuting attorneys in certain counties.
Makes certain amendments to the juvenile diversion grant program, the juvenile community alternatives grant program, and the juvenile behavioral health competitive grant pilot program (programs). Appropriates specified amounts for the state budget biennium to the juvenile diversion and community alternatives grant program fund and juvenile behavioral health competitive grant pilot program fund for purposes of those programs to be administered by the Indiana criminal justice institute in consultation with the juvenile justice oversight committee (oversight committee) and the grant process workgroup created by that oversight committee, taking into considering the grant program report prepared and submitted to the commission on improving the status of children in Indiana by the oversight committee.
Changes references to the "supreme court" to the "court of appeals" in provisions relating to the payment of taxes pending appeals. Provides that decisions of the tax court may be appealed directly to the court of appeals (rather than the supreme court).
Establishes a proceeding for the commitment of an individual who suffers from substance abuse. Provides that the petitioner must agree to pay the cost of the respondent's commitment. Establishes requirements before the court may issue an order for commitment. Allows the court to order the respondent to receive treatment and to appear at an evaluation.
Provides that a prosecuting attorney may be removed from office for crime, incapacity, or negligence. (Under current law, a prosecuting attorney may only be removed from office upon conviction for corruption or a high crime).
Repeals the law that requires a person to obtain a license to carry a handgun in Indiana. Specifies that certain persons who are not otherwise prohibited from carrying or possessing a handgun are not required to obtain or possess a license or permit from the state to carry a handgun in Indiana. Prohibits certain individuals from knowingly or intentionally carrying a handgun. Creates the crime of "unlawful carrying of a handgun" and specifies the penalties for committing this crime. Allows particular individuals who do not meet the requirements to receive a handgun license and are not otherwise prohibited to carry a handgun in limited places. Allows a resident of Indiana to obtain in certain circumstances a license to carry a handgun in Indiana. Makes theft of a firearm a Level 5 felony. Defines certain terms. Makes conforming amendments and repeals obsolete provisions.
Modifies the definition of "protected person" for purposes of the admission of a statement or videotape of an individual who is less than 14 years of age at the time of the offense but less than 18 years of age at the time of trial. Provides that a person who knowingly or intentionally: (1) pays, or offers or agrees to pay, money or other property; or (2) offers a benefit; for a human trafficking victim with the specific intent to induce or obtain the product or act for which the human trafficking victim was trafficked commits human trafficking, a Level 4 felony. Specifies that consent by the human trafficking victim is not a defense to a prosecution. Requires law enforcement agencies to report human trafficking investigations to the attorney general within 30 days after an investigation begins. Makes a technical correction.
Provides that a person applying to the Indiana criminal justice institute seeking compensation for wrongful incarceration must prove that he or she is actually innocent by a preponderance of the evidence. Specifies that payments may be suspended while a defendant is incarcerated for a different offense.
Makes clarifying changes to the powers and duties of the Marion superior court executive committee. Provides that an appointed judicial officer shall be vested by the judges of the family division of the Marion superior court with suitable powers for the handling of all probate matters of the court. Removes and reallocates the powers and duties of a probate hearing judge, probate commissioner, juvenile referee, bail commissioner, and master commissioner from the Marion superior court. Provides that the Marion County judicial selection committee nomination procedure shall be followed when filling a vacancy that occurs in a court. Provides that a sheriff's service of process fee for each service performed outside Marion County applies to cases in the Marion County small claims court. Provides that the: (1) clerk of a circuit court; (2) clerk of a city or town court; or (3) judge of a city or town court that does not have a clerk; may retain as an administrative fee an amount of up to $3 from the excess amount collected by the clerk for general court costs.
