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Ind. bill would allow video conferencing for mental health evaluations

Would allow some people confined by corrections facilities to appear before a judge or for a mental health evaluation to do so using video conferencing

By Rachel Bunn
Herald-Times

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. — One of the bills moving through the Indiana General Assembly with bipartisan support would allow some people confined by corrections facilities to appear before a judge or for a mental health evaluation to do so using video conferencing.

The video conferencing would depend on technological capability and the judge’s order but could take place from the correctional facility.

Here’s a look at the bill and how it’s progressing through the Legislature:

House Bill 1531 — Video conferencing by confined persons

  • Summary: Provides that if: (1) a person is confined in a department of correction (department) facility; (2) the person is required to make an appearance before the judge of a court; (3) the department facility and court room have the capability of conducting two-way video conferencing; and (4) the judge orders the person to make the person’s appearance by use of video conferencing; the person shall appear before the judge while located in the department facility by use of video conferencing. Provides that if: (1) a person is confined in a county jail; (2) a judge of a court has ordered the person to undergo a mental health evaluation; (3) the county jail and location of the provider of mental health services who will conduct the mental health evaluation have the capability of conducting two-way video conferencing; (4) the mental health evaluation may be conducted by two-way video conferencing; and (5) the judge orders the person to undergo the mental health evaluation by use of video conferencing; the person shall undergo the mental health evaluation while located in the county jail by use of video conferencing.
  • Author: Rep. Steve Davisson, R-Salem
  • Sponsors: Sens. Brent Steele, R-Bedford, Erin Houchin, R-Salem, and Lonnie Randolph, D-East Chicago
  • Status: Returned to the House with amendments
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