INDIANAPOLIS- The 2010 Indiana General Assembly has convened and begun working on legislation within committees. State Senator Frank Mrvan (D-Hammond) has authored a number of bills this year, including important legislation on criminal activity reporting, oversight of public funds, as well as enforcement of wage requirements.

Rape reporting
Senate Bill (SB) 202 is an initiative that would make the failure of a person to report the crime of rape or the sexual deviate conduct against a child a class B misdemeanor. Mrvan says he hopes this legislation increases awareness and reporting of criminal activity, ultimately protecting the public by deterring such behavior.

Oversight of public money
SB 246 would increase public oversight for organizations that receive public funding, particularly for those organizations that receive money from local riverboat revenue. The bill would require that any organization considered a municipal benefit entity be audited by an independent accounting firm and provide the results of the audit to the contributing municipality, and in certain cases, to the Indiana Gaming Commission. The bill would also allow the Indiana Gaming Commission to have continuing jurisdiction over riverboat economic development agreements and incentive payments, regardless of the date of the agreement.

Siting of composting facilities
SB 204 would increase the minimum permissible distance between a composting facility and a residence from 200 feet to one mile. The initiative would also make the minimum permissible distance from a composting facility to any school, public or nonpublic, at least one mile. The bill would allow a unit of local government to set a minimum distance with respect to both residences and schools of more than one mile.

Penalties imposed by a public access counselor
SB 205 would act to promote public access laws by assessing civil penalties against public agencies that violate public records law. All civil penalties collected under violations of this law would go into a newly established education fund used to train public officials and educate the public on the responsibilities of public agencies under current public access laws.

Enforcement of wage requirements
SB 206 would increase the penalties imposed on an employer in violation of the state common construction wage law or minimum wage law if the violation involves an illegal worker. The initiative provides that a determination by the federal immigration agency on whether the individual has come to, entered, or remained in the United States in violation of the law. Employers paying below the state common or minimum wage standard as mandated by law can cost the state in uncollected unemployment insurance and income taxes.

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

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