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HB 1310

Domestic violence investigations.

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Maureen Bauer and 3 co-sponsors

HB 1310 standardizes lethality assessments at domestic violence scenes and requires data reporting to local and state fatality review bodies to strengthen victim safety and prevent

Representative Hamilton added as coauthor
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Bill Summary · HB 1310

Summary of HB 1310 (2026) – Indiana: Domestic Violence Investigations

Purpose and Intent

HB 1310 proposes to enhance domestic violence response and oversight by requiring law enforcement to administer lethality assessments at the scene of domestic or family violence incidents and to transmit related data to local and state review bodies. The bill aims to improve victim safety and inform prevention efforts through standardized data collection and analysis of lethality assessments.

Key Provisions

  • Lethality Assessments at the Scene

    • When officers respond to a domestic violence incident or reasonably believe one has occurred, they must administer a lethality assessment to the apparent victim.
    • The assessment is defined as one approved by the Domestic Violence Resource for Increasing Safety and Connection.
    • Officers must file the lethality assessment with their agency and connect the victim to advocacy services if needed.
    • The assessment data must be reported to:
    • The law enforcement agency’s jurisdiction
    • A local domestic violence fatality review team (established under IC 12-18-8-5)
    • The statewide domestic violence fatality review committee (established under IC 12-18-9-3)

  • Confidentiality of Lethality Assessment Information

    • All statements in a lethality assessment are not admissible as evidence against the victim and are not discoverable in litigation.

  • Data Collection and Analysis

    • The local domestic violence fatality review coalitions must collect and document information from deaths reviewed by local fatality review teams and lethality assessments.
    • A standardized data collection form shall include identifying and non-identifying information, circumstances surrounding a death, contributing factors, findings, and recommendations.
    • The statewide committee shall compile and analyze data from local teams, review mortality records, and assist local teams with standardized forms, protocols, training, and prevention strategies.
    • The statewide committee may conduct reviews of deaths or near-fatalities at the request of local teams, or when no local team exists.

  • Law Enforcement Guidance and Authority at Scenes

    • Officers may, if probable cause exists and there is immediate risk, confiscate and remove firearms, ammunition, or deadly weapons from the scene.
    • Safe storage must be provided during any ongoing or pending proceedings.

Affected Parties

  • Law Enforcement

    • Required to administer lethality assessments and transmit data; may incur additional workload and time at domestic violence scenes.

  • Victims and Families

    • Potentially receive more immediate access to advocacy services; confidentiality of lethality assessment data is protected in court.

  • Local and State Domestic Violence Fatality Review Bodies

    • Local: Receives data from assessments; conducts reviews; develops prevention strategies.
    • Statewide: Analyzes aggregated data; provides training, protocols, and expert guidance.

Timelines and Effective Date

  • Effective Date: July 1, 2026.
  • Various amendments to IC 5-2-27.8, IC 12-18, and IC 35-33-1-1.5 to implement new duties, data collection, and confidentiality provisions.

Fiscal and Operational Considerations

  • Local law enforcement agencies will see higher workloads due to mandatory lethality assessments and data reporting.
  • The fiscal note indicates potential needs for overtime or reallocation of resources, but agencies are expected to absorb changes within existing resources.
  • State and local bodies will incur ongoing data collection, analysis, and training costs to support fatality review activities.

Overall, HB 1310 standardizes the use of lethality assessments in domestic violence cases and strengthens data-driven prevention through coordinated local and state fatality review processes.

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

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