IndianaIndiana will put a proposed bail rule before voters
Indiana's 2026 general election ballot will ask voters whether courts may deny bail to some people charged with crimes other than murder or treason.
What it does
Indiana voters will be asked whether courts may deny bail to people charged with crimes other than murder or treason when the state meets the stated proof and safety tests.
Argument forSome voters could support a clear test for denying bail that requires strong proof of the charge and clear evidence that release conditions cannot protect others.
Argument againstSome voters might worry the proposed rule could let courts keep people accused of serious crimes in jail before trial when the state meets the proof and safety tests.
More detail
The law directs Indiana to put a question about a proposed change to the state constitution on the 2026 general election ballot. Indiana voters will decide whether the proposed rule applies to people charged with crimes other than murder or treason. The ballot question asks whether the state constitution should allow bail to be denied under the listed proof and safety tests. The question is for the 2026 general election. This section takes effect July 1, 2026, and expires July 1, 2027.
Where do you stand?
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Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed Senate
- Passed House
- To Governor
- Became Law
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2026
- Feb 24Public Law 4Latest
- Feb 24Signed by the Governor Mike BraunBecame Law
- Feb 23Signed by the President of the SenateMajor
- Feb 18Signed by the SpeakerMajor
- Feb 17Signed by the President Pro TemporeMajor
- Feb 17Returned to the Senate without amendmentsMinor
- Feb 16Third reading: passed; Roll Call 245: yeas 63, nays 22Passed House
- Vote recorded SB 3 - Jeter - 3rd Reading. Result: pass.Lower
- Feb 12Second reading: ordered engrossedMinor
- Feb 9Committee report: do pass, adoptedMinor
- Jan 28First reading: referred to Committee on JudiciaryMinor
- Jan 23Referred to the HouseMinor
- Jan 22House sponsor: Representative Jeter
- Vote recorded SB 3 - Koch - 3rd Reading. Result: pass.Upper
- Jan 22Third reading: passed; Roll Call 45: yeas 36, nays 9Passed Senate
- Jan 15Amendment #1 (Pol) failed; voice voteMajor
- Jan 15Senator Freeman added as second author
- Jan 15Second reading: ordered engrossedMinor
- Jan 13Committee report: do pass, adoptedMinor
- Jan 8Authored by Senator Koch
- Jan 8First reading: referred to Committee on Corrections and Criminal LawIntroduced
Criminal Justice