IndianaHB 1258Second Regular Session 124th General Assembly (2026)HouseWALLET

Crimes of violence.

Sponsored By: Chris Jeter (Republican)

Signed by Governor

Summary

Revises and consolidates the definition of "crime of violence". Amends the definition of violent offender to mean a person who is convicted of an offense or attempted offense that is a crime of violence or a person who is charged with an offense or attempted offense that is a crime of violence. Amends the definition of "violent arrestee" to mean a person arrested for or charged with a crime of violence that is a Level 1 felony, Level 2 felony, Level 3 felony, Level 4 felony, or a Level 5 felony. Removes provisions concerning repeat violent arrestees. Amends the definition of "violent criminal" to mean a person convicted of a crime of violence. Adds: (1) dangerous possession of a firearm with two priors; and (2) unlawful carrying of a handgun with two priors; to the crimes of violence list. Makes a technical correction and conforming changes.

courts and criminal codethe senatecorrections and criminal law

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

7 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 7 costs, 0 mixed.

Recent Violent Convictions Restrict Home-Care Work

Beginning July 1, 2026, a violent-crime conviction less than 10 years before the employment application date bars covered agency operation. This applies to home health and personal services agencies. These agencies also cannot hire someone for in-home services when the required national or expanded background check shows that conviction. The bill summary notes narrow continuity exceptions for some operators and employees employed before July 1, 2025.

Violent Convictions Can Block Work Licenses

Violent-crime convictions are exempt from the usual five-year limit on occupational-license disqualification for a conviction of concern. Beginning July 1, 2026, covered addiction-counseling licenses and an experienced-counselor private-practice pathway use the law’s violence definition. The Indiana Department of Homeland Security also gains authority to deny covered credentials or permanently revoke them after violent-crime convictions. Those department actions are allowed, not automatic.

Violent Charges Bring Tighter Bail Rules

Beginning July 1, 2026, people arrested for or charged with Level 1–5 violent felonies need an individual open-court bail hearing. Courts must review the probable cause affidavit or arrest warrant and require money bail through cash or a surety bond. Charitable bail groups cannot pay this bail or bail for anyone charged with a crime of violence. They also cannot pay for someone facing any felony charge who has a prior violent-crime conviction.

Violent Convictions Limit Sentence Change Requests

Beginning July 1, 2026, sentence-change rules define a “violent criminal” using the law’s crime-of-violence list. This applies when the offense or sentencing occurred before July 1, 2014, and the person is not a credit-restricted felon. The person can file one petition without the prosecutor’s consent within 365 days after sentencing. After that period, prosecutor consent is required, subject to statutory exceptions.

Violent Convictions Trigger Release Checks And Exclusions

Beginning July 1, 2026, the parole board must conduct a community investigation for covered parole decisions involving violent-crime convictions or sex offenders. The investigation does not itself decide whether parole is granted. People convicted of violent crimes are also excluded from the chapter identified in Indiana Code 11-13-9-1. The supplied text does not identify that chapter’s programs or protections.

Violent Crime Labels Shape Legal Rules

The law lists which homicide, battery, sex, property, firearm, and vehicle offenses count as crimes of violence. Some qualify only at listed felony levels; specified firearm offenses also require a prior unrelated conviction or juvenile delinquency finding. This list guides stricter bail, sentencing, and licensing rules. Beginning July 1, 2026, crimes of violence join sex offenses and fraud or false-statement crimes as “crimes of moral turpitude.” Indiana’s pretrial community-treatment referral rules also use the violence definition beginning that date.

Violent Offenses Face Added Sentencing Risks

Beginning July 1, 2026, the 12-year limit on prior records does not apply when the current offense is violent. A qualifying older conviction or infraction judgment can therefore increase the current offense’s class, level, or penalty. Courts also use the violence definition for a sentencing factor involving children. That factor applies when someone knowingly commits the crime within sight or hearing of a nonvictim under 18.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Chris Jeter

    Republican • House

Cosponsors

  • Aaron Freeman

    Republican • Senate

  • Gregory Porter

    Democratic • House

  • Joanna King

    Republican • House

  • Martin Carbaugh

    Republican • House

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 216 • No: 17

House vote • 2/26/2026

House concurred with Senate amendments

Yes: 78 • No: 15

Senate vote • 2/24/2026

Third reading: passed

Yes: 46 • No: 2

House vote • 1/28/2026

Third reading: passed

Yes: 92 • No: 0

Actions Timeline

  1. Public Law 85

    3/4/2026House
  2. Signed by the Governor

    3/4/2026House
  3. Signed by the President of the Senate

    2/27/2026Senate
  4. Signed by the President Pro Tempore

    2/27/2026Senate
  5. House concurred with Senate amendments; Roll Call 393: yeas 78, nays 15

    2/26/2026House
  6. Signed by the Speaker

    2/26/2026House
  7. Motion to concur filed

    2/25/2026House
  8. Returned to the House with amendments

    2/24/2026Senate
  9. Third reading: passed; Roll Call 244: yeas 46, nays 2

    2/24/2026Senate
  10. Second reading: amended, ordered engrossed

    2/19/2026Senate
  11. Amendment #6 (Taylor G) failed; voice vote

    2/19/2026Senate
  12. Amendment #4 (Freeman) prevailed; voice vote

    2/19/2026Senate
  13. Committee report: amend do pass, adopted

    2/12/2026Senate
  14. First reading: referred to Committee on Corrections and Criminal Law

    2/2/2026Senate
  15. Referred to the Senate

    1/29/2026House
  16. Senate sponsor: Senator Freeman

    1/28/2026House
  17. Third reading: passed; Roll Call 131: yeas 92, nays 0

    1/28/2026House
  18. Amendment #1 (Jeter) prevailed; voice vote

    1/22/2026House
  19. Second reading: amended, ordered engrossed

    1/22/2026House
  20. Representatives King, Carbaugh, Porter added as coauthors

    1/20/2026House
  21. Committee report: do pass, adopted

    1/14/2026House
  22. Authored by Representative Jeter

    1/5/2026House
  23. First reading: referred to Committee on Courts and Criminal Code

    1/5/2026House

Bill Text

  • Engrossed House Bill (H)

  • Engrossed House Bill (S)

  • Enrolled House Bill (H)

  • House Bill (H)

  • House Bill (S)

  • Introduced House Bill (H)

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