FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Abbey Webb, Press Secretary
Abbey.Webb@iga.in.gov
317-234-3560
Jovi Taylor, Press Secretary Intern
Jovi.Taylor@iga.in.gov
STATEHOUSE (Feb. 20, 2025) —A bill authored by State Sen. Aaron Freeman (R-Indianapolis) that would increase penalties for criminal offenses recently passed the Senate with a bipartisan vote of 46-3.
Senate Bill 324 would target bail, battery and drug dealing offenses within the criminal justice system. This bill would require courts to stop providing automatic bail based on a predetermined schedule for suspects arrested of violent crimes.
SB 324 would also impose a higher degree of punishment for individuals who distribute meth or fentanyl.
"I am tired of watching repeat violent offenders being released back into the public so easily," Freeman said. "The people of Indiana continue to see firsthand how repeat violent offenders are not being held to the appropriate standard by our courts. This is why I have worked with Gov. Braun and his leadership to author a bill that would increase penalties and restore law and order to the Indiana criminal justice system."
As SB 324 moved throughout the legislative process, two amendments were added.
The first amendment was authored by State Sen. Scott Baldwin (R-Noblesville) due to the rise of deadly accidents caused by individuals evading the police. Baldwin's amendment increases criminal penalties for individuals who resist law enforcement when using a motor vehicle and in turn causes injury to fellow Hoosiers or law enforcement officials.
The second amendment was authored by State Sen. Fady Qaddoura (D-Indianapolis). Qaddoura's amendment requires a person charged with a domestic violence crime and who has certain prior convictions to wear a monitoring device if they are released on bail.
"We are taking a stand against crime in Indiana and putting the safety of Hoosiers first," Freeman said. "It has been a great experience to have bipartisan support for this bill on the Senate floor."
For more information on this bill, click here.
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State Sen. Aaron Freeman (R-Indianapolis) represents Senate District 32,
which includes portions of Johnson and Marion counties.
Click here to download a high-resolution photo.
