HB175 Summary

• Creates a new Class C felony crime for knowingly making false statements to law enforcement officers during criminal investigations of Class A or B felonies, including falsifying facts, making materially false statements or representations, or using false documents.

• Requires law enforcement officers to provide a specific warning before interviewing a person or requesting a written statement, stating: "We are conducting a criminal investigation into a felony and we have some questions to ask you. Any knowingly false statement or writing to a law enforcement officer during this investigation is subject to criminal prosecution."

• Exempts false denials of guilt made in response to law enforcement questioning from prosecution under this section.

• Applies only to on-duty state, county, or municipal law enforcement officers with power of arrest conducting criminal investigations.

• Becomes effective on the first day of the third month following passage and approval by the Governor.