Legislative Halfway Update

We’ve officially made it to the halfway point of the 124th Indiana General Assembly, my first as a legislator, and these first few months at the Statehouse have been a whirlwind. It’s a fast-paced environment at the Statehouse, but my colleagues and I have worked hard to provide efficient government and meaningful results for those we represent, and we still have much to do in the coming months.

Legislative Wins

During the first half of the legislative session, I’m especially proud of two bills I authored to provide support to our law enforcement and public safety officials, and which both passed the House of Representatives with unanimous support.

House Bill 1188 would increase penalties for resisting law enforcement while fleeing in a vehicle while drawing a deadly weapon or inflicting bodily injury, or operating a vehicle in a manner which could cause significant bodily injury. Our brave first responders put their own safety on the line to protect our communities, and those who threaten their ability to return home safely to their families deserve to be held accountable to the fullest extent of the law.

House Bill 1232 would help to provide law enforcement with critical information about offenders they may come in contact with by requiring certain information to be submitted to the Indiana Data and Communication System (IDACS) within 24 hours of the information’s receipt. This may include criminal background checks including warrants, stolen vehicle reports, protective orders, and missing persons alerts. By having accurate and timely information, our officers will be able to better serve the public while remaining safe on the job.