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Committee advances bill to codify county-to-DOC inmate transfers, adds appeal and per-diem rules
Summary
The House Criminal Code Committee voted to pass Senate Bill 420, which sets a statutory sequence and clearer criteria for transferring inmates from county jails to Department of Correction (DOC) facilities and clarifies transportation and per-diem reimbursement rules.
Senate Bill 420, which would codify procedures for moving inmates from county jails to other county jails or the Indiana Department of Correction (DOC), was advanced out of the House Criminal Code Committee on a unanimous voice/roll call vote recorded as 12–0.
The bill’s sponsor, Senator Victoria Carrasco, told the panel the measure “looks to establish a sequence of events in statute” and requires “a factual basis to be established for a determination of approval or the denial of a transfer,” aiming to replace what she described as vague, subjective language in current practice. She said the measure clarifies acceptance criteria, preserves that serious medical or mental-health conditions cannot be the sole basis for transfer, and gives the DOC commissioner authority to approve or deny transfer requests while giving sheriffs an appeal option.
The bill also requires sheriffs to provide transportation to and from DOC and to court hearings when necessary, and to reimburse DOC at the per-diem rate with additional reimbursement for extraordinary costs. Margo Ochsher, executive director of services for the Indiana Department of Correction, testified the DOC “rises in support of Senate Bill 420” and said the agency is already working with sheriffs to shorten transfer timelines.
The committee questioned timelines and money. Representative Chris Jeter pressed DOC on what has caused transfer delays; Ochsher answered the department has shortened timelines from roughly 28 days to about 21 days recently and said DOC is prioritizing individuals by sentencing date. Representative Steve Bartels asked about when per-diem payments are triggered; Ochsher said the agency begins payments “after 5 days after sentencing” at the stated per-diem rate referenced by witnesses ($37.50 per day).
Senator Carrasco said the bill was developed in collaboration with the Department of Correction, the Sheriffs Association, prosecutors, defense counsel and the attorney general’s office. After brief testimony from a representative of the Sheriffs Association, the sponsor moved to pass the bill; the committee seconded and took roll call. The chair announced the bill “passes 12 to 0.”
The measure now moves to the next floor or scheduling step as determined by House leadership.
Votes at a glance: Senate Bill 420 — Motion: “Move to pass.” Outcome: passed by committee (reported 12–0).
