STATEHOUSE (Aug. 27, 2026) – This week, State Rep. Wendy McNamara (R-Evansville) chaired two interim study committee hearings to discuss public safety issues ahead of the next legislative session, including reviewing current criminal trends and sexual assault response services.
First, McNamara led the Interim Study Committee on Public Health, Behavioral Health and Human Services on Aug. 25 to review Indiana's sexual assault response workforce, the availability of services to survivors and sexual assault response plans. During the meeting, McNamara and members of the committee heard from several law enforcement agencies and advocacy groups, including Indiana State Police, Indiana Trafficking Victims Assistance Program and Indiana Coalition to End Sexual Assault.
"The impact of sexual assault lasts far longer than just when the crime was committed," McNamara said. "Reviewing the resources we have now gives us a better idea of any gaps that we can address during the upcoming legislative session to support survivors and hold criminals accountable."
The following day, McNamara led the Interim Study Committee on Corrections and Criminal Code for an annual assessment of current trends in criminal behavior, sentencing and other related topics.
"This annual review is an important touchstone for our meetings in the House Courts and Criminal Code Committee during the legislative session," McNamara said. "The work we do to hear from stakeholders now will help us consider new laws to improve public safety and strengthen our justice system."
To learn more about interim study committees and watch livestreams of meetings, visit iga.in.gov.
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State Rep. Wendy McNamara (R-Evansville) represents House District 76,
which includes all of Posey County and a portion of Vanderburgh County.
Click here to download a high-resolution photo.
Photo Caption: State Rep. Wendy McNamara (R-Evansville) (top right) hears testimony from public safety officials during the Interim Study Committee on Public Health, Behavioral Health and Human Services Aug. 25, 2026, at the Statehouse. During this meeting, McNamara, who chaired the committee, and other lawmakers reviewed statistics on resources available for sexual assault victims.
