CHAPTER 5. CRIMINAL LAW AND SENTENCING POLICY STUDY COMMITTEE - Indiana Statutes

IC 2-5.5-5
     Chapter 5. Criminal Law and Sentencing Policy Study Committee

IC 2-5.5-5-1
Establishes the criminal law and sentencing policy study committee
     Sec. 1. The criminal law and sentencing policy study committee is established.
As added by P.L.100-2010, SEC.1.

IC 2-5.5-5-2
Membership
     Sec. 2. The committee consists of fourteen (14) members appointed as follows:
        (1) Four (4) members of the senate, not more than two (2) of whom may be affiliated with the same political party, appointed by the president pro tempore of the senate.
        (2) Four (4) members of the house of representatives, not more than two (2) of whom may be affiliated with the same political party, appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives.
        (3) The executive director of the prosecuting attorneys council of Indiana or the executive director's designee.
        (4) The executive director of the public defender council of Indiana or the executive director's designee.
        (5) One (1) person who:
            (A) has experience in administering probation programs; and
            (B) is a member of the Probation Officers' Professional Association of Indiana;
        appointed by the members of the Association.
        (6) One (1) circuit or superior court judge who exercises criminal or juvenile jurisdiction, appointed by the chief justice of the supreme court.
        (7) The commissioner of the department of correction.
        (8) The chairman of the parole board.
As added by P.L.100-2010, SEC.1.

IC 2-5.5-5-3
Chairman
     Sec. 3. The chairman of the legislative council shall appoint a legislative member of the committee to serve as chair of the committee. Whenever there is a new chairman of the legislative council, the new chairman may remove the chair of the committee and appoint another chair.
As added by P.L.100-2010, SEC.1.

IC 2-5.5-5-4
Replacement of legislative member
     Sec. 4. If a legislative member of the committee ceases to be a member of the chamber from which the member was appointed, the member also ceases to be a member of the committee.
As added by P.L.100-2010, SEC.1.
IC 2-5.5-5-5
Removal of legislative member
     Sec. 5. A legislative member of the committee may be removed at any time by the appointing authority who appointed the legislative member.
As added by P.L.100-2010, SEC.1.

IC 2-5.5-5-6
Vacancy
     Sec. 6. If a vacancy exists on the committee, the appointing authority who appointed the former member whose position is vacant shall appoint an individual to fill the vacancy.
As added by P.L.100-2010, SEC.1.

IC 2-5.5-5-7
Final report
     Sec. 7. The committee shall submit a final report of the results of its study to the legislative council before November 1 of even-numbered years. The report must be in an electronic format under IC 5-14-6.
As added by P.L.100-2010, SEC.1.

IC 2-5.5-5-8
Criminal justice institute staff support
     Sec. 8. The Indiana criminal justice institute shall provide staff support to the committee to prepare:
        (1) minutes of each meeting; and
        (2) the final report.
As added by P.L.100-2010, SEC.1.

IC 2-5.5-5-9
Legislative services agency staff support
     Sec. 9. The legislative services agency shall provide staff support to the committee to:
        (1) advise the committee on legal matters, criminal procedures, and legal research; and
        (2) draft potential legislation.
As added by P.L.100-2010, SEC.1.

IC 2-5.5-5-10
Per diem
     Sec. 10. Each member of the committee is entitled to receive the same per diem, mileage, and travel allowances paid to individuals who serve as legislative and lay members, respectively, of interim study committees established by the legislative council.
As added by P.L.100-2010, SEC.1.

IC 2-5.5-5-11
Majority to take action
     Sec. 11. The affirmative votes of a majority of the voting

members appointed to the committee are required for the committee to take action on any measure, including the final report.
As added by P.L.100-2010, SEC.1.

IC 2-5.5-5-12
Rules of legislative council
     Sec. 12. Except as otherwise specifically provided by this chapter, the committee shall operate under the rules of the legislative council. All funds necessary to carry out this chapter shall be paid from appropriations to the legislative council and the legislative services agency.
As added by P.L.100-2010, SEC.1.

IC 2-5.5-5-13
Duties
     Sec. 13. (a) The committee is established to evaluate criminal laws, sentencing laws, and policies as they relate to:
        (1) the purposes of the criminal justice and corrections systems;
        (2) the availability of sentencing options; and
        (3) the inmate population in department of correction facilities.
If, based on the committee's evaluation under this subsection, the committee determines that changes are necessary or appropriate, the committee shall make recommendations to the general assembly for the modification of sentencing laws and policies and for the addition, deletion, or expansion of sentencing options.
    (b) The committee shall do the following:
        (1) Conduct a continuing study of the laws relating to:
            (A) the investigation of crimes;
            (B) the prosecution of crimes;
            (C) criminal procedures;
            (D) alternative sentencing programs;
            (E) the department of correction;
            (F) parole;
            (G) probation;
            (H) community corrections;
            (I) home detention programs;
            (J) criminal registries;
            (K) victim rights;
            (L) the classification of criminal offenses into felony and misdemeanor categories;
            (M) sex offenders; and
            (N) juvenile offenders.
        (2) Study federal requirements or incentives for states to pass certain laws or establish specific programs.
        (3) Determine the long range needs of the criminal justice and corrections systems and recommend policy priorities for those systems.
        (4) Identify critical problems in the criminal justice and corrections systems and recommend strategies to solve the problems.         (5) Assess the cost effectiveness of the use of state and local funds in the criminal justice and corrections systems.
        (6) Propose plans, programs, and legislation for improving the effectiveness of the criminal justice and corrections systems.
    (c) The committee may study other topics assigned by the legislative council or as directed by the committee chair. The committee may meet as often as necessary.
As added by P.L.100-2010, SEC.1.