Senate Bill 95 - Official Misconduct

• Amends IC 35-44-1-2 to specify that public servants commit official misconduct when committing an offense while misusing powers granted by state law or while appearing to exercise authority they do not possess.

• Expands the definition of official misconduct to explicitly include offenses committed while a public servant is misusing state law powers or falsely appearing to exercise state authority.

• Establishes a new crime of "unlawful entry by law enforcement," making it a Class D felony when a law enforcement officer knowingly enters another person's residence unlawfully without reasonable belief the entry is necessary to prevent injury or death.

• Increases the penalty for unlawful entry by law enforcement to a Class C felony if the violation results in serious bodily injury to another person.

• Effective date: July 1, 2012.