STATEHOUSE (March 27, 2017) – The Indiana House of Representatives supported legislation sponsored by State Rep. Bill Friend (R-Macy) that would change victim notification requirements with a vote of 97-0 on Monday.
Senate Bill 239 would require the Department of Corrections to notify the victim of a crime within 48 hours if there is a change to the original release date of an offender. Current law requires the department to notify the victim at least 40 days before the release of the inmate.
“Victims deserve the opportunity to prepare for the release of an offender back into the community,” Friend said. “In small communities like ours, it’s easy to run into people around town. While an inmate who is released from jail has served his or her time for the crime committed, it is important that we keep the victim’s wellbeing in mind during a potentially difficult adjustment period.”
Friend said victim advocacy groups, like Mothers Against Drunk Driving, have enthusiastically backed this legislation because of the support it would provide crime victims.
Senate Bill 239 can now be considered by the governor for further action. Visit iga.in.gov to learn more about this bill.