Senate Bill 63 Summary

• A local elected official may be suspended from office if charged with an eligible offense (felonies under Indiana Code or election-related felonies, or misdemeanors involving breach of peace committed during official duties) and the legislative body votes by two-thirds majority that the offense is relevant to suitability for office and suspension is in the unit's best interests.

• The charged official and their relatives (parents, children, spouses, siblings, in-laws, aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews) are ineligible to vote on the suspension resolution; if disqualifications prevent a two-thirds vote, a simple majority of voting members may approve suspension.

• A suspended official may seek judicial review within 30 days in circuit court and must be reinstated with back pay if acquitted or charges are dropped.

• A suspended official loses salary and remuneration but retains health benefits; the legislative body must ensure the official's duties are carried out and may appoint an acting replacement.

• If convicted of the eligible offense, the official is removed from office; if convicted of only a lesser offense, reinstatement occurs by operation of law and back pay may be awarded at the legislative body's discretion.