Indiana 2024 2024 Regular Session

Indiana Senate Bill SB0151 Introduced / Fiscal Note

Filed 02/06/2024

                    LEGISLATIVE SERVICES AGENCY
OFFICE OF FISCAL AND MANAGEMENT ANALYSIS
200 W. Washington St., Suite 301
Indianapolis, IN 46204
(317) 233-0696
iga.in.gov
FISCAL IMPACT STATEMENT
LS 6308	NOTE PREPARED: Feb 6, 2024
BILL NUMBER: SB 151	BILL AMENDED: Jan 30, 2024
SUBJECT: Statute of Limitations.
FIRST AUTHOR: Sen. Alexander	BILL STATUS: As Passed Senate
FIRST SPONSOR: Rep. Prescott
FUNDS AFFECTED:XGENERAL	IMPACT: State & Local
XDEDICATED
FEDERAL
Summary of Legislation:  This bill allows the prosecution of Level 3 felony rape and child molesting
offenses to be commenced at any time. It also makes conforming changes. 
Effective Date:  July 1, 2024.
Explanation of State Expenditures:  Victim Reimbursement – This could increase the number of persons
who might be eligible for victim reimbursement from the Criminal Justice Institute. However, any added
monetary assistance to these new victims will be minimal. 
Criminal Prosecutions – Any increase in DOC’s offender population is expected to be minor. Under current
law, prosecution is barred unless commenced within five years after the commission of the offense, or within
four years after the person ceases to be a dependent of the person alleged to have committed the offense,
whichever occurs later. 
The sentencing range for Level 3 felonies is shown below:
MinimumAdvisoryMaximum
3 years 9 years 16 years
Additional Information – According to the Indiana Supreme Court, the following persons have been
convicted of child molesting as a Level 3 felony.
SB 151	1 Number of Persons Convicted of a Child Sex Crime
Felony	FY 2019FY 2020FY 2021FY 2022FY 2023
Child Molesting – Level 3 44 51 42 50 45
Rape – Level 3	1 1 5 10 4
The average expenditure to house an adult offender was $28,110 annually, or $76.96 daily, in FY 2023. (This
does not include the cost of new construction.)  If offenders can be housed in existing facilities with no
additional staff, the marginal cost for medical care, food, and clothing is approximately $4,456 annually, or
$12.21 daily, per prisoner. The marginal cost estimates are based on contractual agreements with food and
medical vendors and projections based on prior years for clothing and hygiene.  The estimated average cost
of housing a juvenile in a state juvenile facility was $112,655 annually, or $308.43 daily, in FY 2023. The
marginal cost for juvenile facilities was $6,325 annually or $17.33 daily. 
Explanation of State Revenues:  If additional court cases occur and fines are collected, revenue to both the
Common School Fund and the state General Fund would increase. The maximum fine for any felony is
$10,000. Criminal fines are deposited in the Common School Fund. The total fee revenue per case would
range between $113 and $135. The amount of court fees deposited will vary depending on whether the case
is filed in a court of record or a municipal court. The following linked document describes the fees and
distribution of the revenue: Court fees imposed in criminal, juvenile, and civil violation cases.
Explanation of Local Expenditures:  If more defendants are detained in county jails prior to their court
hearings, local expenditures for jail operations may increase. The average cost per day is approximately
$64.53 based on the per diem payments reported by U.S. Marshals to house federal prisoners in 11 county
jails across Indiana during CY 2021.
Explanation of Local Revenues:  If additional court actions occur and a guilty verdict is entered, more
revenue will be collected by certain local units. If the case is filed in a court of record, the county general
fund will receive $47.40 and qualifying municipalities will receive a share of $3.60. If the case is filed in a
municipal court, the county receives $30, and the municipality will receive $46. The following linked
document describes the fees and distribution of the revenue:  Court fees imposed in criminal, juvenile, and
civil violation cases.
State Agencies Affected: Department of Correction.
Local Agencies Affected: Trial courts, local law enforcement agencies.
Information Sources: Department of Correction, U.S. Department of Justice Marshals Service.
Fiscal Analyst: Mark Goodpaster,  317-232-9852.
SB 151	2