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Bill

HB 1432

Death sentence and intellectual disabilities.

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Garrett Bascom and 3 co-sponsors

Indiana bill establishing or modifying standards for assessing intellectual disability in death penalty cases to ensure constitutional compliance and fairness in capital sentencing.

First reading: referred to Committee on Corrections and Criminal Law
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Bill Summary · HB 1432

Legislative bill overview

HB 1432 addresses the intersection of capital punishment and intellectual disabilities in Indiana's criminal justice system. Based on the bill's title and recent committee action, it likely establishes or modifies standards for determining intellectual disability in death penalty cases, potentially affecting sentencing eligibility or execution procedures.

Why is this important

The Supreme Court has ruled that executing individuals with intellectual disabilities violates the Eighth Amendment's protection against cruel and unusual punishment. This bill could clarify Indiana's legal framework for assessing intellectual disability in capital cases, directly impacting which defendants can receive or carry out death sentences, and ensuring compliance with constitutional requirements.

Potential points of contention

  • Definition and assessment standards: Disagreement over what criteria should define intellectual disability and who determines it (courts, medical professionals, prosecutors)
  • Retroactive application: Whether changes apply to defendants already sentenced to death or only future cases
  • Prosecution vs. defense interests: Prosecutors may seek stricter definitions to maintain death penalty eligibility; defense advocates argue for broader protections for developmentally disabled defendants

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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