STATEHOUSE — State Representative Ron Bacon (R-Chandler) has sponsored a piece of legislation to allow psychologists to testify in criminal courts as mental health witnesses. Senate Bill (SB) 88 passed the Indiana House of Representatives on 3rd reading today unanimously.

Under current law, a psychiatrist must be used in any criminal cases involving an insanity defense. SB 88 provides that in insanity hearings not involving a homicide, the court shall appoint two or three competent and disinterested:

* Psychiatrists;

* Psychologists endorsed by the State Psychology Board; or

* Physicians who have expertise in determining insanity, at least one of whom must be a psychiatrist or psychologist.

“The court system generally prefers a psychiatrist, however availability has become an issue,” said Rep. Bacon. “By allowing psychologists to do this work, we will make the judicial process more efficient and expeditious. This will also reduce local expenditures by reducing the amount of time a defendant, who utilizes an insanity defense, spends in jail while the court looks to appoint a psychiatrist.”

In insanity hearings that do involve a homicide the court will have the same criterion by which to appoint mental health experts, however in this case, when appointing physicians who have expertise in determining insanity, at least one of them must be a psychiatrist and at least one of them must be a psychologist.

The bill will now go back to the Senate for concurrence because it was amended in the House.

-30-

Rep. Bacon (R-Chandler) represents portions of Warrick, Pike and Spencer counties.

Paul Joseph Bitz, of Evansville, Indiana passed away peacefully on Friday, February 21, 2014, at home.

Paul was a graduate of Reitz Memorial High School and Evansville College/University of Evansville.  During World War II he served in the 1877th Engineering Battalion in India.  Shortly after his return to civilian life, he married Margaret Ernestine Mills (Tena), a union that created nine children.

He became active in the Veterans of Foreign Wars, serving as Post 1114 Commander for five years, as 8th District Commander, and in several state positions with the organization.  He received numerous honors from both the VFW and Disabled American Veterans of Indiana.

Paul also began pursuing his passion for public service.  He was elected as Indiana State Senator in 1954 and re-elected in 1958. His legislative accomplishments included: property tax exemptions for seniors, the visually and hearing impaired; an employer requirement to grant military leave for reservists; and righting a legal wrong by finally giving people with epilepsy the right to marry.

Paul remained active in local and national politics following his State Senate terms.  He was regional campaign manager for President John F. Kennedy and Senator Robert Kennedy.  He helped head up campaigns for local, state, and national candidates, including Senator Vance Hartke.  He was a stalwart of the local Democrat Party, President of the Roberts Stadium board for six years, and head of Voter’s Registration for eight years.  He was a devoted member of St. Benedict’s Cathedral.

Paul and wife Tena (deceased) were proud parents of nine children: Mike Bitz (deceased), Greg Bitz, Cindy Korff, Bonnie Reinhart, Karen Stewart, Kevin Bitz (deceased), Kim Patrick Bitz, Terence David Bitz, and Roger Bitz (deceased).

Paul was blessed with 16 grandchildren: Tammy, Tracy, Jennifer, Dale, Darcy, Dawn, Tim, Andrew, Kevin, Heather, Holly, Julie, Jocelyn, Matthew, Ryan, and Douglas, plus 18 great-grandchildren and one great-great grandchild.

A memorial mass for Paul will take place in the mausoleum chapel at St. Joseph Cemetery on Saturday, March 1st, at 9:00am. In lieu of flowers, donations in his name may be made to St. Benedict Cathedral or the VNA.  Condolences may be made online at www.browningfuneral.com

INDIANAPOLIS-The Indiana House today adopted a proposal by State Rep. Gail Riecken (D-Evansville) that will begin to fund solutions for the best practices to decrease the high number of child fatalities in our state.

Riecken authored an amendment to Senate Bill 408 which included a new Infant Mortality Reduction Grant Fund.

Currently, Indiana ranks fifth in the nation in child deaths, with the top two causes of infant mortality being babies born too small and too early.

“The amendment calls for the interest on the money in the Indiana checkup plan to be transferred to the new Infant Mortality Reduction Grant Fund,” said Riecken. “It also specifically states that the money in the newborn screening program cannot be transferred, assigned, or otherwise removed from the fund by the State Board of Finance or any other state agency, as has been done in the past.”

Riecken noted that of the 292 children in Indiana who died in 2011, substance abuse was found to be a factor in 43% of the cases. One study found that in cases of Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome, the infants are 19% more likely to have low birth rate and 30% more likely to have respiratory complications.

Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome refers to the effects in newborns that have been exposed to addictive illegal or prescription drugs while in the mother’s womb. These substances pass to the baby during pregnancy, resulting in the baby becoming addicted along with the mother.

“The Commission on Improving the Status of Children determined that one of their priority areas this year would be to create policies to improve child health indicators such as infant mortality rate,” said Riecken. “This amendment advances the commission’s strategy as well as the Governor’s strategy to take action in protecting these infants.

“I am proud of the bipartisan support to protect young Hoosiers and will continue to work to ensure that the safety of our children remains a priority in the legislature,” she concluded.

Senate Bill 408 is now eligible for final consideration on the House floor. If it gets final approval, the measure will return to the Senate for concurrence with the changes made in the House.