News Releases

Bray: Bill to Reform Civil Forfeiture Passes Senate

STATEHOUSE (Jan. 30, 2018) — A bill authored by State Sen. Rodric Bray (R-Martinsville) that would reform Indiana’s civil forfeiture laws passed out of the Senate today by a vote of 49-0.

Senate Bill 99 establishes a probable cause requirement for all forfeiture cases and establishes a process for innocent property owners to get their property back if it was seized while in another person’s possession. The bill also establishes new guidelines to speed up the court process.

“Civil forfeiture is crucial for combatting criminal activity across our state, and we spent this summer looking at how to update our civil forfeiture laws,” Bray said. “SB 99 stabilizes an individual’s personal property rights with the rights of our law enforcement agencies, which hold the power to seize property from criminals such as drug dealers and gangs.”

SB 99 now moves to the House of Representatives for further consideration.

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Contact: Matt Werner, Senior Press Secretary
matt.werner@iga.in.gov
317-232-9539

Jacob Lenfestey, Press Secretary Intern
jacob.lenfestey@iga.in.gov