INDIANAPOLIS—The Indiana Senate is now hearing over 200 bills approved by the House of Representatives. These bills will undergo further consideration through a series of committee hearings and floor debates. State Senator Jim Arnold (D-LaPorte) has sponsored a number of bills that help to improve the safety of law enforcement officers and the public.

House Bill (HB) 1428, sponsored by Arnold, makes it unlawful to manufacture or sell unofficial police or fire insignia. Under the provision, any person knowingly or intentionally manufacturing or selling a badge or replica of an official badge used by a public safety agency or displays documentation suggesting they are an official law enforcement employee without written permission could be charged with a class A misdemeanor.

Furthermore this initiative would make the offense a Class D felony if the person committing uses the illegal badge or identification to impersonate a public servant and a Class B felony if a person uses the illegal badge or ID to commit an offense involving weapons of mass destruction.

“Prohibiting the use of unofficial fire and police insignia is not only a measure of assisting public servants but also addresses an issue of public safety,” said Arnold. “This crime really takes advantage of the public who rely on officers and emergency personnel to keep them safe.”

HB 1428, heard by the full Senate on Monday, passed by a vote of 43-6 and will now return to the House of Representatives for further review of amendments.

Arnold has also sponsored HB 1331. Under this proposal, local units of government would be required to provide torso body armor to active police officers. This bill would ensure that difficult budget cuts made on the local level would not threaten the availability of body armor for the protection of law enforcement officers.

HB 1331 was heard Wednesday by the Senate Committee on Local Government. The measure passed unanimously and will now move to the full Senate for further review.

In addition to sponsoring legislation that would assist public servants, Arnold has also sponsored HB 1603. This proposal allows individuals with mental disabilities to have their service animals with them at all times. Current law is limited to individuals who are blind or have another visual or physical disability.

For more information on Senator Arnold, his legislative agenda or other State Senate business call 1-800-382-9467 or visit www.senatedemocrats.in.gov. 

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Click to visit Senator Arnold's website