STATEHOUSE (March 13, 2013) — A bill initiated by State Sen. Carlin Yoder (R-Middlebury) to strengthen Indiana’s efforts against methamphetamine abuse passed the House Courts and Criminal Code Committee today 12-0.

Senate Bill 496 would create tighter restrictions on ephedrine/pseudoephedrine — a key meth ingredient found in many over-the-counter decongestants — but would not require law-abiding citizens to obtain a prescription in order to purchase those products.

“This bill is another step in the right direction in the fight against meth,” Yoder said. “We want to give law enforcement and retailers needed tools to combat the meth epidemic without burdening innocent Hoosiers.”

Yoder also mentioned that the bill was amended in committee, removing a portion of the bill that would have created a Class B felony if a person causes a fire while making meth. House committee members thought that stipulation would fit better in another bill.  For a summary of the provisions of SB 496, click here.

SB 496 was approved by the full Senate 44-4 and now moves to the full House of Representatives for further consideration.