Sec. 13. (a) A study committee shall study the issues assigned by the legislative council that are within the subject matter for the study committee, as described in section 4 of this chapter.

     (b) In addition to the issues assigned under subsection (a), the interim study committee on roads and transportation shall advise the bureau of motor vehicles regarding the suitability of a special group (as defined in IC 9-13-2-170) to receive a special group recognition license plate for the special group (as defined in IC 9-13-2-170) for the first time under IC 9-18.5-12-4 and the suitability of a special group (as defined in IC 9-13-2-170) to continue participating in the special group recognition license plate program under IC 9-18.5-12-5.

     (c) In addition to the issues assigned under subsection (a), the interim study committee on corrections and criminal code shall review current trends with respect to criminal behavior, sentencing, incarceration, and treatment and may:

(1) identify particular needs of the criminal justice system that can be addressed by legislation; and

(2) prepare legislation to address the particular needs found by the committee.

     (d) In each even-numbered year, in addition to the issues assigned under subsection (a), the interim study committee on courts and the judiciary shall review, consider, and make recommendations concerning all requests for new courts, new judicial officers, and changes in jurisdiction of existing courts. A request under this subsection must include at least the following information to receive full consideration by the committee:

(1) The level of community support for the change, including support from the local fiscal body.

(2) The results of a survey that shall be conducted by the county requesting the change, sampling members of the bar, members of the judiciary, and local officials to determine needs and concerns of existing courts.

(3) Whether the county is already using a judge or magistrate from an overserved area of the judicial district.

(4) The relative severity of need based on the most recent weighted caseload measurement system report published by the office of judicial administration.

(5) Whether the county is using any problem solving court as described in IC 33-23-16-11, and, if so, the list of problem solving courts established in the county, and any evaluation of the impact of the problem solving courts on the overall judicial caseload.

(6) A description of the:

(A) county’s population growth in the ten (10) years before the date of the request; and

(B) projected population growth in the county for the ten (10) years after the date of the request, to the extent available;

and any documentation to support the information provided under this subdivision.

(7) A description of the county’s use of pre-incarceration diversion services and post-incarceration reentry services in an effort to decrease recidivism.

(8) If the request is a request for a new court or new courts, an acknowledgment from the county fiscal body (as defined in IC 36-1-2-6) with the funding sources and estimated costs the county intends to pay toward the county’s part of the operating costs associated with the new court or new courts.

The office of judicial administration shall post the list of required information provided under this subsection on its website.

     (e) In each even-numbered year, in addition to the issues assigned under subsection (a), the interim study committee on courts and the judiciary shall review the most recent weighted caseload measurement system report published by the office of judicial administration and do the following:

(1) Identify each county in which the number of courts or judicial officers exceeds the number used by the county in that report year.

(2) Determine the number of previous report years in which the number of courts or judicial officers in a county identified in subdivision (1) exceeded the number used by the county in that particular report year.

(3) Make a recommendation on whether the number of courts or judicial officers in the county should be decreased.

The office of judicial administration shall post a list of the number of courts or judicial officers used in each county for each report year, and the number of years in which the number of courts or judicial officers in the county has exceeded the number used by the county, on its website.

     (f) In addition to studying the issues assigned under subsection (a), the interim study committee on child services shall:

(1) review the annual reports submitted by:

(A) each local child fatality review team under IC 16-49-3-7;

(B) the statewide child fatality review committee under IC 16-49-4-11; and

(C) the department of child services under IC 31-25-2-24;

during the immediately preceding twelve (12) month period, and may make recommendations regarding changes in policies or statutes to improve child safety; and

(2) report to the legislative council before November 1 of each interim, in an electronic format under IC 5-14-6, the results of:

(A) the committee’s review under subdivision (1); and

(B) the committee’s study of any issue assigned to the committee under subsection (a).

     (g) In each even-numbered year, in addition to the issues assigned under subsection (a), the interim study committee on government shall do the following:

(1) Determine whether a group has met in the immediately preceding two (2) years.

(2) Identify all interstate compacts that have been fully operational for at least two (2) years to which the state is a party.

(3) Consider whether to:

(A) remain a party to; or

(B) withdraw from;

each interstate compact.

(4) If the committee determines that the state should withdraw from an interstate compact, identify the steps needed to withdraw.

(5) Report before November 1 to the legislative council, in an electronic format under IC 5-14-6 the committee’s:

(A) recommendations for proposed legislation to repeal groups that have not met during the immediately preceding two (2) years; and

(B) findings and recommendations regarding the interstate compacts.

As used in this subsection, “group” refers to an authority, a board, a commission, a committee, a council, a delegate, a foundation, a panel, or a task force that is established by statute, has at least one (1) legislator assigned to it, and is not staffed by the legislative services agency.

As added by P.L.53-2014, SEC.6. Amended by P.L.257-2017, SEC.2; P.L.2-2018, SEC.1; P.L.138-2020, SEC.1; P.L.148-2021, SEC.4; P.L.114-2022, SEC.1; P.L.9-2024, SEC.6.