Members of a bipartisan interim study committee this week reviewed new criminal justice data and considered testimony about the need to combat a rise in juvenile gun crimes across the state. Photo by Getty Images.

By Niki Kelly
Indiana Capital Chronicle

INDIANAPOLIS — A bill to revamp a buffer zone law for law enforcement passed out of committee 10-3 Wednesday, Jan. 22.

The original law, passed in 2023, allows police to push citizens back 25 feet from an ongoing investigation.

It was challenged in two separate lawsuits; the Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals issued an injunction blocking the law because it was unconstitutionally vague. That case was brought by a coalition of media outlets.

Rep. Wendy McNamara, R-Evansville, is carrying House Bill 1122 to try to eliminate the vagueness.

The new law would allow an officer to order someone to stop approaching if there is a reasonable belief that the person’s presence within the 25 feet will interfere with police duties.

Chris Daley, executive director of the American Civil Liberties Union of Indiana, testifies in committee on Wednesday, Jan. 22, 2025. Photo from Leslie Bonilla Muñiz, Indiana Capital Chronicle.

Chris Daley, the executive director of the American Civil Liberties Union of Indiana, believes the change would allow reporters or other witnesses to unobtrusively record what is happening without that being considered interference.

He was neutral on the bill — saying it is an improvement on the previous law, but the legal cases are still ongoing. Daley still thinks the 25-foot distance is too far.

Evansville Police Sgt. Mark Saltzman testified in support of the bill, saying it has helped reduce intrusion on officers conducting an investigation at a time when assaults on police officers have risen nationally.

He noted that other states have used Indiana’s language to pass their own laws, including Florida’s “Halo law.”

Plainfield Police Chief Kyle Prewitt said, “We want safety in our communities, not just for our law enforcement officers, but for those who are impacted by crimes, those who commit crimes, the community as a whole.”

He added that sometimes people standing too close can also overhear sensitive information relayed by officers, victims and suspects.

“There’s also a modicum of decency that we should be observing as society as a whole,” Prewitt said.

Three Democrats opposed the bill with all Republicans in support.

Rep. Robin Shackleford, D-Indianapolis, said she initially supported the law in committee but then received pushback from her community. She said many of her constituents don’t trust law enforcement and 25 feet is too far to “make sure everyone is accountable.”

Lawmakers heard concerns about witness recordings in an interim committee in 2022 and in committee discussion in 2023.