Sen. Cyndi Carrasco

Provides that offenses other than murder are not bailable if the state proves: (1) by a preponderance of the evidence that the proof is evident or the presumption strong; and (2) by clear and convincing evidence that the arrestee is dangerous and that no conditions of release will reasonably protect the safety of other persons or the community. Establishes procedures for a bail hearing. Removes duplicative provisions concerning repeat violent arrestees. Permits a court to retain cash bail for the payment of certain costs without an indigency hearing if the defendant has executed an agreement permitting the court to retain the cash bail for these purposes.

Establishes the Indiana rural health transformation fund and makes allotments and expenditures from the fund subject to budget committee review before the allotment and expenditure may occur. Requires the office of the secretary of family and social services to report biannually to the budget committee concerning the use of the money in the fund. Prohibits recipients of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits from using SNAP benefits to purchase candy and soft drinks. Requires the office of the secretary of family and social services to apply for a waiver or authorization to implement the prohibition if a waiver or authorization from a federal agency is required. Terminates the state's participation in the use of expanded categorical eligibility within the federal SNAP. Specifies gross income standards and countable resources for SNAP eligibility. Establishes immigration eligibility requirements for SNAP and requires the division of family resources to verify compliance with the requirements and submit information to the federal government about individuals for whom the division could not verify the immigration status. Specifies the time frame for Medicaid eligibility redeterminations. Requires the office of the secretary of family and social services (office) to transmit certain information to the federal government to prevent multiple state Medicaid enrollment. Specifies the time frame concerning the initial date of Medicaid assistance based on the application date. Sets forth additional countable income requirements for Medicaid. Modifies immigration status requirements for Medicaid, including presumptive eligibility and the healthy Indiana plan (HIP), and requires the office to verify compliance of the requirements and report information to the federal government. Modifies work and exemption requirements for HIP and requires the conditions to be met in the three preceding months before an individual applies to HIP. Requires the office to verify compliance with the work requirements on an ongoing basis and at least quarterly. Prohibits the office from expanding the medically frail exemption beyond the federal definition of the term. Removes the 12 month eligibility period for HIP and requires semiannual renewal. Sets forth additional copayments for the use of an emergency room setting for nonemergency services and other services under HIP.

Amends the membership of the community corrections advisory board. Defines "full court" as the total of all Marion superior court judges who are appointed and serving as judges. Specifies that if a newly appointed judge is filling a vacancy of a judge whose term ends the same year as the appointment, the newly appointed judge shall serve a term that expires on December 31 of the sixth full year following the appointment. Requires the Marion County judicial selection committee (judicial selection committee) to nominate five candidates to the governor when a judicial vacancy exists and allows the governor to appoint any of the nominated candidates when filling more than one vacancy. Replaces the term "presiding judge" with "chief judge" within the Marion County superior court. Amends the membership of the judicial selection committee. Prohibits a member of the judicial selection committee who is not an ex officio member to serve consecutive terms and staggers the terms of certain members of the judicial selection committee to begin on July 1, 2026, or July 1, 2028. Requires the judicial selection committee to determine that a judge is suitable to retain judicial office before a judge's request for retention may be placed on the ballot. Establishes a procedure with specific deadlines for a judge who wishes to stand for retention in 2026. Repeals and replaces a provision concerning the procedure to select the Marion County judicial executive committee (executive committee) and certain court provisions. Provides that, for an executive committee starting a term on January 1, 2027, and for the selection of each executive committee thereafter, the full court shall meet not later than November 15 in the final year of the executive committee's term to select the candidates of the next executive committee. Requires a two-thirds vote of the sitting judges who will hold office on January 1 of the next year to select the candidates of the executive committee and requires the chair of the judicial selection committee to approve the members of the executive committee and select one member of the executive committee as the chief judge. Allows the chair of the judicial selection committee to remove a member of the executive committee for cause. Increases the term of an executive committee member of the Marion County judiciary from two years to three years. Specifies which duties are the responsibility of the full court and which are to be determined by a trial judge. Describes the duties and authority of the executive committee. Provides that any action taken by the executive committee may only be overruled by a vote of 85% of the full court sitting at the time the vote is taken. Removes a requirement that the executive committee requires the approval of two-thirds of the judges to determine the number of judicial officers and personnel required to serve the court. Provides that the judge of the circuit court has exclusive authority to appoint commissioners or magistrates allocated to the circuit court. Amends how magistrates and commissioners are appointed. Specifies that the executive committee has final authority for all employment decisions regarding commissioners and magistrates. Repeals a provision that allows the presiding judge to appoint a magistrate and allows the executive committee to appoint 28 magistrates. Requires a voting member of the justice reinvestment advisory council to cast a vote in person. Requires that, in a county having a consolidated city, the chief judge or a judge appointed by the chief judge be the chair of the local justice reinvestment advisory council. Provides that a local or regional advisory council may only take action upon the affirmative vote of the members and a member must cast a vote in person. Makes conforming changes.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a standardized process to determine eligibility for advanced DNA testing in unsolved cold cases. It directly affects law enforcement agencies handling unresolved crimes and potentially individuals wrongfully convicted in long-pending cases. The key provision establishes clear criteria for when DNA evidence can be retested using modern technology, replacing inconsistent past practices. This changes how cold case investigations are conducted by requiring law enforcement to follow specific, defined steps to request testing.

Requires the department of correction to electronically notify, at least seven days in advance, the: (1) county sheriff; (2) prosecuting attorney; and (3) chief of police; of the county or municipality into which the department will release a serious violent felon, including a juvenile adjudicated for an act that would be a serious violent felony, and of the county or municipality where the serious violent felon or juvenile committed the offense. Requires the department of correction to notify a registered victim through the department's automated victim notification system. Requires: (1) a court; and (2) the prosecuting attorney or the prosecuting attorney's victim assistance program; to notify a victim of the automated victim assistance notification program, and provides that a victim has the right to be informed, upon request, about the progress of the criminal case involving the victim. Requires that, before hiring a person as a law enforcement officer, a law enforcement hiring department or agency shall request from prior law enforcement employers all documents relating to disciplinary action or internal investigations that involve the person. (Under current law, a hiring agency must request all findings and orders).

Maddy summarySCR 26 is a concurrent resolution honoring Lee Herbert Hamilton, a notable figure (though the context doesn't specify his role). It serves as a formal expression of respect and remembrance from the legislature, not a law affecting policies or people. The resolution has been referred to committees but has not advanced further in the legislative process. This type of memorial resolution does not create legal obligations or alter existing laws.

Maddy summaryThis Senate Resolution (SR 68) formally honors Reverend Jesse Louis Jackson through a ceremonial tribute. It has no policy impact or effect on laws, regulations, or specific groups. The resolution is a standard procedural gesture by the Senate to recognize an individual's contributions, as is typical for memorial resolutions. No concrete policy changes or affected parties are involved.

Specifies that county residency requirements do not apply to: (1) public defenders (except for the chief public defender); (2) employees of a public defender office; (3) judicial officers; or (4) court personnel.

Maddy summarySCR 25 is a non-binding concurrent resolution honoring Abigail "Abby" Williams and Liberty "Libby" German, who were victims of a 2023 crime. It formally celebrates their legacy through a symbolic gesture by the state legislature, with broad bipartisan support evidenced by 41 co-authors in both chambers. The resolution does not create new laws, affect any policies, or change rights or responsibilities for residents. It serves solely as a commemorative statement to recognize their memory.

Maddy summaryThis is a ceremonial resolution (SR 63) honoring Senator Candace Hall for her service upon her retirement from the Indiana Senate. It does not create new laws or affect any policies; it is a symbolic gesture of recognition approved by the Senate. The resolution was introduced by multiple senators and passed unanimously with a voice vote on February 23, 2026.