INDIANAPOLIS – The Indiana House Courts and Criminal Code Committee has taken a significant step towards reforming eyewitness identification procedures by advancing Senate Bill 141 (SB 141). Sponsored by Representatives Greg Steuerwald and Wendy McNamara, the bill aims to establish standardized procedures for law enforcement agencies conducting lineups and in-person witness identifications.
Senator Liv Brown, the bill’s author, presented SB 141 to the committee, outlining its purpose to improve the reliability of eyewitness testimony in criminal investigations. The committee, recognizing the importance of this reform, amended the bill by consent. The amendment introduces a requirement for lineup investigators to provide specific instructions to witnesses before the identification process.
The Indiana Public Defender Commission testified in support of the bill, highlighting its potential to reduce wrongful convictions stemming from inaccurate eyewitness identifications.
The committee’s vote demonstrated strong bipartisan support for the measure. The amended SB 141 passed with a unanimous 13-0 vote, signaling its likely progression to the House floor.
The bill’s text can be reviewed in detail at the Indiana General Assembly website: https://iga.in.gov/legislative/2025/bills/senate/141.
This legislation marks a potential turning point in Indiana’s criminal justice system. It aims to enhance the accuracy of eyewitness testimony and ensure fairer outcomes in legal proceedings.
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