Tuesday, March 31, 2026
In recent years, the General Assembly has been working to update the Indiana Constitution to help keep dangerous criminals out of Hoosier communities.
Indiana's constitution currently requires all criminal suspects to be offered bail unless they are charged with murder or treason. Unfortunately, Hoosiers are seeing an increase in instances where dangerous suspects released on bail commit more violent crimes in Indiana's communities.
To improve public safety, Senate Republicans introduced Senate Joint Resolution 1 for the first time in 2023. This resolution seeks to amend Indiana's constitution to give courts flexibility in denying bail for certain dangerous suspects who pose a substantial danger to others or society.
For an amendment to be made to the Indiana Constitution, the language must be passed by two separately elected General Assemblies, and voters must ratify the amendment in a statewide referendum. SJR 1 passed for the second time during the 2026 legislative session.
The amendment will be up for a statewide referendum during the 2026 midterm election. The question will go on the ballot in November this year, where a majority of Hoosiers must vote in favor of the amendment for it to become part of the Indiana Constitution.
For more information about SJR 1, click here.
