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IndianaSB 9Second Regular Session 124th General Assembly (2026)Senate

Victim impact statements.

Sponsored By: Liz Brown (Republican)

Became Law

corrections and criminal lawthe housecourts and criminal code

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

3 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.

Earlier access to presentence reports

Beginning July 1, 2026, before sentencing, the court must tell the defendant and the prosecutor the facts and conclusions in the presentence report or give them a copy. The court must share this early enough for the defendant to respond. This supports fair and accurate sentencing.

Standard victim definition across cases

Beginning July 1, 2026, the law uses a standard meaning of "victim" across many criminal cases. For some sections, a victim is a person who was harmed by a crime. For others, the law points to the definition in that chapter. This helps courts apply victim rights the same way.

Stronger voice for crime victims in court

Beginning July 1, 2026, victims have a right to speak at sentencing and at some release hearings, including post‑conviction release and certain pre‑conviction forensic diversion decisions. Judges must tell any victim at the hearing that they can speak and must allow time for a statement. If a victim cannot attend, they can mail a written statement and it is included in the presentence report. The defendant must be in the courtroom when a victim speaks, unless they are a safety risk or cause a major disruption. If the defendant skips the hearing and is later in custody, the prosecutor can ask for a hearing so the victim can speak in the defendant’s presence. Courts can still sentence a defendant who is absent, these rules do not create new rights for defendants, and prosecutors must certify they offered victims a chance to see and comment on any sentencing recommendation.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Liz Brown

    Republican • Senate

Cosponsors

  • Aaron Freeman

    Republican • Senate

  • Brett Clark

    Republican • Senate

  • Eric Bassler

    Republican • Senate

  • Eric Koch

    Republican • Senate

  • Joanna King

    Republican • House

  • Maureen Bauer

    Democratic • House

  • Robert Morris

    Republican • House

  • Rodney Pol

    Democratic • Senate

  • Scott Baldwin

    Republican • Senate

  • Spencer Deery

    Republican • Senate

  • Susan Glick

    Republican • Senate

  • Tyler Johnson

    Republican • Senate

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 177 • No: 0

Senate vote • 2/25/2026

Roll Call 269 on SB0009.05.ENGH.CON01

Yes: 42 • No: 0 • Other: 6

House vote • 2/17/2026

Roll Call 258 on SB0009.04.COMH

Yes: 90 • No: 0 • Other: 4

Senate vote • 1/22/2026

Roll Call 46 on SB0009.03.ENGS

Yes: 45 • No: 0 • Other: 2

Actions Timeline

  1. Public Law 66

    3/4/2026Senate

  2. Signed by the Governor

    3/4/2026Senate

  3. Signed by the President of the Senate

    2/27/2026Senate

  4. Signed by the President Pro Tempore

    2/26/2026Senate

  5. Signed by the Speaker

    2/26/2026House

  6. Senate concurred with House amendments; Roll Call 269: yeas 42, nays 0

    2/25/2026Senate

  7. Motion to concur filed

    2/23/2026Senate

  8. Returned to the Senate with amendments

    2/18/2026House

  9. Third reading: passed; Roll Call 258: yeas 90, nays 0

    2/17/2026House

  10. Representative Bauer added as cosponsor

    2/17/2026House

  11. Second reading: amended, ordered engrossed

    2/16/2026House

  12. Amendment #1 (Meltzer) prevailed; voice vote

    2/16/2026House

  13. Committee report: amend do pass, adopted

    2/12/2026House

  14. First reading: referred to Committee on Courts and Criminal Code

    1/28/2026House

  15. Referred to the House

    1/23/2026Senate

  16. Senator Baldwin added as coauthor

    1/22/2026Senate

  17. Cosponsor: Representative Morris

    1/22/2026Senate

  18. Third reading: passed; Roll Call 46: yeas 45, nays 0

    1/22/2026Senate

  19. House sponsor: Representative King

    1/22/2026Senate

  20. Second reading: amended, ordered engrossed

    1/20/2026Senate

  21. Amendment #2 (Freeman) prevailed; voice vote

    1/20/2026Senate

  22. Senators Pol, Koch, Clark, Glick, Deery added as coauthors

    1/15/2026Senate

  23. Senator Freeman added as coauthor

    1/15/2026Senate

  24. Senator Bassler added as third author

    1/13/2026Senate

  25. Senator Johnson T added as second author

    1/13/2026Senate

Bill Text

  • Engrossed Senate Bill (H)

    PDF

  • Engrossed Senate Bill (S)

    PDF

  • Enrolled Senate Bill (S)

    PDF

  • Introduced Senate Bill (S)

    PDF

  • Senate Bill (H)

    PDF

  • Senate Bill (S)

    PDF

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