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HB1214 • 2026

A BILL FOR AN ACT to amend the Indiana Code concerning courts and court officers.

A BILL FOR AN ACT to amend the Indiana Code concerning courts and court officers.

Passed Legislature

This bill passed both chambers and reached final enrollment, even if later executive action is not shown here.

Sponsor
Representative Gregory Steuerwald
Last action
2026-01-05
Official status
Introduced House Bill (H)
Effective date
Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

The official source material does not provide details on the implications of the bill for existing arrest powers or how it will affect current practices in Indiana courts and law enforcement.

Giving Investigators Arrest Powers

This bill allows investigators hired by prosecutors to have arrest powers in Indiana, but only if they had at least five years of experience as law enforcement officers or federal agents.

What This Bill Does

  • Provides that an investigator appointed by a prosecuting attorney has the same police powers within the state if the investigator was previously employed as a law enforcement officer or a federal enforcement officer for at least five years.

Who It Names or Affects

  • Investigators hired by prosecutors
  • Law enforcement officers and federal agents with at least five years of experience

Terms To Know

Prosecuting attorney
A lawyer who works for the government to bring charges against people accused of breaking the law.
Police powers
The authority given to police officers and other officials to enforce laws, including making arrests.

Limits and Unknowns

  • Does not specify what happens if an investigator does not meet the five-year requirement.
  • It is unclear how this will affect current practices in Indiana courts and law enforcement.

Bill History

  1. 2026-01-05 House

    Authored by Representative Steuerwald

  2. 2026-01-05 House

    First reading: referred to Committee on Judiciary

Official Summary Text

A BILL FOR AN ACT to amend the Indiana Code concerning courts and court officers.
Arrest power.

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text
A BILL FOR AN ACT to amend the Indiana Code concerning courts and court officers.

Arrest power.

Provides that an investigator appointed by a prosecuting attorney has the same police powers within the state if the investigator was previously employed as a law enforcement officer or a federal enforcement officer for at least five years.