All Roll Calls
Yes: 216 • No: 17
IndianaHB 1258Second Regular Session 124th General Assembly (2026)HouseWALLET
Crimes of violence.
Sponsored By: Chris Jeter (Republican)
Signed by Governor
courts and criminal codethe senatecorrections and criminal law
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
13 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 5 costs, 5 mixed.
Old priors can’t raise charges
Starting July 1, 2026, a prior conviction can raise a current charge only if the new crime happened within 12 years of the later of the prior conviction/adjudication or the person’s release from incarceration, probation, or parole. The 12‑year limit does not apply to listed serious crimes, including crimes of violence, sex offenses, domestic battery, strangulation, and certain serious drug crimes.
Fewer chances to cut sentences
From July 1, 2026, people defined as violent criminals generally get one sentence‑reduction petition within 365 days of sentencing without the prosecutor’s consent. Later petitions require the prosecutor’s consent, subject to listed exceptions and prior sentencing dates in the law.
Stricter bail for violent charges
Beginning July 1, 2026, a person arrested for a Level 1–5 felony that is a crime of violence can be released only after a public hearing, and only with money bail by surety bond or cash deposit. The judge must review the probable cause papers before release. Charitable bail groups cannot pay money bail set under these violent‑arrestee rules. Any group that pays bail for more than three people in 180 days must be certified in Indiana, pay a $300 fee, renew every two years, and can only deposit cash bail for indigent people not charged with violent crimes or for felonies without a prior violent conviction. Certified groups cannot execute surety bonds or charge premiums.
Fair‑chance licensing with 5‑year cap
Starting July 1, 2026, local licensing offices must list the exact crimes that disqualify you and may use a conviction only if it is directly related to the job’s duties. Before denying a license, they must weigh seriousness, time since the crime, job relevance, and proof of rehabilitation using a clear and convincing standard. In most cases, a conviction cannot bar licensure for more than 5 years after conviction or release, unless it was a violent or sexual crime or you reoffend during the period.
Licensing bars for addiction counselors
Beginning July 1, 2026, applicants for addiction counselor and clinical addiction counselor licenses (and associate licenses) must show no conviction for a crime of violence. A conviction in the past two years that bears on competence can also block licensure. Applicants must still meet education, experience, exam, and fee rules.
Tougher checks for home care jobs
Starting July 1, 2026, health facilities and home care agencies cannot hire nurse aides or other unlicensed workers, or place in‑home caregivers, if the person has certain convictions. A crime of violence within 10 years usually disqualifies. Some drug‑felony cases may be allowed for certified peer recovery coaches. Agencies can sometimes hire for up to 21 days while background checks finish, and some existing workers are grandfathered. People with these convictions also cannot operate a home health or personal services agency; violations are a Class A misdemeanor.
Violent crimes can cost state licenses
Beginning July 1, 2026, the department may deny or permanently revoke certain state certificates or licenses if you were convicted of listed crimes, now including crimes of violence. This applies to licenses in effect on July 1, 2018 or created after that date.
Harsher sentences when kids present
Beginning July 1, 2026, judges can treat a crime of violence as more serious if the offender knew a child under 18 was present or could hear it, even if the child was not the victim. Courts may use this as an aggravating factor at sentencing.
Stricter parole reviews and longer terms
Beginning July 1, 2026, the parole board may order a community investigation for long sentences and must do so for people convicted of violent crimes or sex offenses. Some inmate‑release rules do not apply to people convicted of violent crimes. Most people finishing a felony term are placed on parole for up to 24 months. Sex offenders can be placed on parole for up to 10 years. People found to be sexually violent predators or convicted of murder or voluntary manslaughter are placed on lifetime parole, and transferred lifetime parolees in Indiana follow the same rules, which can include 24/7 location monitoring.
Broader violent and moral-turpitude crimes
Beginning July 1, 2026, the law lists which offenses count as a crime of violence and tells courts and agencies to use that list. It also expands who counts as a “violent offender,” including people charged with or convicted of listed crimes and some security risks. The law updates “crime of moral turpitude” to include violent crimes, sex offenses, and fraud or false statements. These changes affect rules on bail, sentencing, monitoring, and some licensing decisions.
Faster alerts for high risk monitoring
Starting July 1, 2026, agencies must alert within 15 minutes if a tracked person charged with or convicted of a violent, domestic, or sexual crime loses contact, enters a banned zone, or disables the device. For these cases, agencies must make one scheduled and one surprise in‑person visit every 30 days. If a warrant issues for these high‑risk people, police must notify all active units within 15 minutes and dispatch an officer within 60 minutes. For other tracked people, police must notify within 60 minutes and dispatch within 48 hours. Police must keep a record of each dispatch.
Victims’ names kept out of records
Starting July 1, 2026, public court papers must use labels like “Victim 1” instead of names for sex‑crime victims and child victims of violent crimes. Prosecutors must give the court a confidential document that links each label to the real person, kept private by the court.
Standard advisory add-on sentences
Starting July 1, 2026, courts must use the advisory sentence when adding certain extra terms. This applies to consecutive sentences for non‑violent felonies from one episode and to the added fixed term for a repeat sexual offender. It does not change the base sentence for the underlying offense.
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
House vote • 2/26/2026
Roll Call 393 on HB1258.05.ENGS.CON01
Yes: 78 • No: 15
Senate vote • 2/24/2026
Roll Call 244 on HB1258.05.ENGS
Yes: 46 • No: 2
House vote • 1/28/2026
Roll Call 131 on HB1258.03.ENGH
Yes: 92 • No: 0 • Other: 3
Actions Timeline
Signed by the Governor
3/4/2026HousePublic Law 85
3/4/2026HouseSigned by the President Pro Tempore
2/27/2026SenateSigned by the President of the Senate
2/27/2026SenateHouse concurred with Senate amendments; Roll Call 393: yeas 78, nays 15
2/26/2026HouseSigned by the Speaker
2/26/2026HouseMotion to concur filed
2/25/2026HouseThird reading: passed; Roll Call 244: yeas 46, nays 2
2/24/2026SenateReturned to the House with amendments
2/24/2026SenateSecond reading: amended, ordered engrossed
2/19/2026SenateAmendment #4 (Freeman) prevailed; voice vote
2/19/2026SenateAmendment #6 (Taylor G) failed; voice vote
2/19/2026SenateCommittee report: amend do pass, adopted
2/12/2026SenateFirst reading: referred to Committee on Corrections and Criminal Law
2/2/2026SenateReferred to the Senate
1/29/2026HouseSenate sponsor: Senator Freeman
1/28/2026HouseThird reading: passed; Roll Call 131: yeas 92, nays 0
1/28/2026HouseSecond reading: amended, ordered engrossed
1/22/2026HouseAmendment #1 (Jeter) prevailed; voice vote
1/22/2026HouseRepresentatives King, Carbaugh, Porter added as coauthors
1/20/2026HouseCommittee report: do pass, adopted
1/14/2026HouseAuthored by Representative Jeter
1/5/2026HouseFirst 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)