Council tables proposal to add parental fines for juvenile curfew violations after extended debate

The Indianapolis City-County Council voted to table council proposal 245, which would have authorized parental fines and fees for violations of the city curfew ordinance, after heated debate and a failed amendment to reduce proposed fines.

Councilor Hart introduced the original proposal and later moved an amendment to reduce proposed fine amounts: he suggested lowering subsection BB from $500 to $300 and subsection BC from $1,500 to $700, and adding “up to” language. The amendment was debated and failed on a roll call, 15–10.

Councilor Delaney then moved to table proposal 245 to allow more community engagement and to explore non‑monetary penalties and supportive options. Several councilors — including Chairman Robinson, Councilor Brown, Councilor Bryant, Councilor Evans and others — spoke in favor of tabling to gather best practices, data and broader stakeholder input. Concerns raised included risk of criminalizing parents who lack resources, situations involving youth without available parents, and the need for additional information about how enforcement would work in practice.

Councilor McCormick and others urged collection of data and examples from other jurisdictions before imposing fines. Chairman Robinson noted some councilors favored accountability, but said the committee preferred more stakeholder engagement first.

The motion to table passed 18–7. With the item tabled, no changes to the curfew ordinance were adopted at this meeting; councilors said they expect more committee‑level work and community outreach before reconsideration.

The council also noted that, historically, IMPD has limited enforcement of the curfew law and that further discussion should consider how enforcement and supportive services would operate across the entire city, not only downtown.