HB 1137 Summary

• Adds underreporting of crimes against children (including reasons for underreporting) to the commission on improving the status of children's study and evaluation responsibilities.

• Defines "crime of domestic or sexual violence" to include sex offenses and crimes of domestic violence under Indiana Code, including delinquent acts that would constitute these crimes if committed by an adult.

• Requires the state department of health or office of women's health to conduct a comprehensive study by July 1, 2015, examining the extent, types, and reasons for underreporting of domestic and sexual violence crimes against children and adults in urban, suburban, and rural areas.

• Study must include GIS mapping, at least two separate surveys, in-depth interviews and focus groups across different geographic areas, and evaluation by a data analysis group to draw conclusions and recommendations.

• Study results are confidential regarding participant identities but otherwise public; must be shared with the department of child services, commission on improving status of children, department of education, and legislative council; section expires June 30, 2016.