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Bill to expand sexual assault victims’ rights passes committee

Bill to expand sexual assault victims’ rights passes committee

STATEHOUSE (Jan. 28, 2020) – A bill authored by State Sen. John Ruckelshaus (R-Indianapolis) that would provide more rights to sexual assault victims passed out of the Senate Committee on Corrections and Criminal Law today by a vote of 6 to 1.

Senate Bill 146 would allow sexual assault victims to have a counselor present before and during a forensic medical exam or an interview with a law enforcement officer or defense attorney.

“This legislation would give individuals a professional to help them through these traumatic situations,” Ruckelshaus said. “These examinations and interviews are incredibly personal and sensitive, so I believe this will help ease the process for those who have already gone through such a hardship.”

SB 146 will now move to the full Senate for further consideration.

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For high-resolution photos of Sen. Ruckelshaus, click here.