FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Lance Gideon, Press Secretary
Lance.Gideon@iga.in.gov
317-234-9221
STATEHOUSE (April 4, 2023) — A bill authored by State Sen. Mark Messmer (R-Jasper) that would protect child victims passed the General Assembly and will now head to the governor's desk.
Senate Enrolled Act 331 would build upon legislation unanimously approved by the General Assembly in 2020 that prohibits the deposition of a child sex abuse victim.
Since the implementation of the original legislation, defense attorneys have tried to circumvent the law by saying they're not deposing a child victim, but interviewing them.
SEA 331 aims to close that loophole and give victims the protections originally intended in Senate Enrolled Act 206 (2020).
"Senate Enrolled Act 331 is aimed at keeping the most vulnerable Hoosiers from further harm after they are victims of sexual abuse," Messmer said. "I am happy to see the bill pass through the legislature with broad bipartisan support."
Legislative calendars, agendas, vote tallies, live streams and proposed legislation can be viewed online by visiting iga.in.gov.
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State Sen. Mark Messmer (R-Jasper) represents Senate District 48, which
includes Crawford, Dubois, Gibson, Perry, Pike and Spencer counties.
Click here to download a high-resolution photo.
