Public safety remained a top priority this legislative session. As we wrap up National Safety Month, I'd like to share information on new laws we passed this year to support law enforcement, crack down on violent criminals and drug dealers, and enforce our immigration laws.
House Enrolled Act 1232 improves law enforcement cooperation and information sharing. It ensures the more than 800 law enforcement agencies utilizing the Indiana Data and Communications System have the most up to date information on public safety threats, including stolen vehicles or firearms and active warrants. As new information is gathered, this new law requires the system to be updated within 24 hours to help our law enforcement officers better protect and serve our communities.
To protect Hoosiers from dangerous drugs, Senate Enrolled Act 324 will increase penalties for dealing any amount of fentanyl to at least a Level 4 felony. In 2022, fentanyl and other synthetic opioids contributed to 72% of Indiana overdose deaths, a nearly 75% increase in the last 10 years. With this new law, we can crack down on fentanyl dealers and keep these harmful substances off the streets. It will also prioritize public and victim safety by instructing courts to consider requiring individuals charged with domestic violence to wear a monitoring device as a condition of bail. Indiana takes domestic violence seriously and we are doing everything we can to protect victims while they seek justice.
House Enrolled Act 1014 provides commonsense solutions to public safety concerns such as adding unlawful presence in the U.S. and dealing controlled substances to at least three individuals in 180 days as aggravating factors in criminal sentencings. This new law will also help alleviate overcrowding in local jails by limiting the number of consecutive terms of imprisonment for misdemeanor convictions stemming from the same crime.
Additionally, House Enrolled Act 1393 will aid in immigration enforcement by requiring county sheriffs to report individuals arrested for a misdemeanor or felony offense to federal authorities if there is probable cause to believe the individual is in the country unlawfully.
All these new laws will be effective July 1 and can be found by visiting iga.in.gov.
Indiana is dedicated to protecting Hoosiers and these new public safety laws support our local and state law enforcement officers in keeping our communities safe. Please reach out for additional resources at in.gov/h16 or by calling 317-232-9819.
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State Rep. Kendell Culp (R-Rensselaer) represents House District 16,
which includes portions of Jasper, Pulaski, Starke and White counties.
Click here to download a high-resolution photo.
