Area legislator’s amendment to appear on Indiana ballots in Nov.

An area legislator’s proposal to limit bond for some dangerous criminals will now go to the voters as a constitutional amendment.

Sen. Eric Koch, a Bedford Republican, authored Senate Joint Resolution 1 which will allow judges to deny bail to suspects deemed as a substantial threat to public safety. The resolution was approved yesterday by the Indiana House.

Koch says the Indiana Constitution now only allows bail to be denied for those accused of murder or treason. The amendment would allow bail to be denied to suspects that prosecutors have shown pose a substantial threat to a person or the community.

The resolution previously passed the Indiana General Assembly in 2023. To change the Indiana Constitution, a joint resolution must be approved by two separate legislatures. The question will now go on the ballot in November.

Koch represents Senate District 44, which includes Brown and Jackson counties in our area, as well as Lawrence, Orange and part of Monroe County.

Indiana Statehouse photo courtesy of iga.in.gov