Twelve Indiana counties could lose courts after an amendment in the Senate Appropriations Committee was passed last Thursday. Scott County Superior Court was one of the dozen targeted by legislators as they also look to add several judicial officers in counties with heavier caseloads.
HB 1144, as it passed the House in February, was aimed at establishing family courts to target cases of abuse or neglect resulting from a caregiver substance use disorder; and are certifying them as problem solving courts by the office of judicial administration. That bill passed the House 91-0.
When it moved to the Senate, it passed the Senate Committee on Judiciary 9-1 on March 26 but when it was considered in the Senate Committee on Appropriations it was amended to include the elimination of 10 superior courts and two circuit courts.
In January it was reported that the legislature was crafting a plan to shift judges from rural to growing urban counties.
In addition to Scott Superior, the counties that would lose Superior Courts include Blackford, Carroll, Gibson, Greene, Jennings, Newton, Pulaski, Rush, as well as Monroe Circuit Court 9 and Owen Circuit Court 2.
The amended bill would add judges or magistrates in Hamilton, Elkhart and Vigo counties.
“After we have spent so much time and resources in obtaining our magistrate, this would be two giant steps back for Scott County,” said Scott Circuit Court Judge Jason Mount.
The bill now moves to the full Senate for consideration. If passed, since it was amended by the Senate, the matter would move to a conference committee where members of the House and Senate would have to concur before the bill become law.
If the law passes, Scott Superior Court would cease to exist Dec. 31, 2028 and its caseload would shift to Scott Circuit Court.