Indiana SB 357

Here is the text: SB 357.

“A family of three generations came to the Indiana Statehouse Thursday in part to grieve and to work on protecting Hoosier children.

They made the trek from Elkhart County to watch as lawmakers passed Kirk’s Law.

Lawmakers say there are registries for all kinds of things, but this is the first registry to record the names of those convicted of child abuse.

They sat quietly on the side bench of the House of Representatives as the vote was taken. It passed unanimously. It was one of the few times Republicans and Democrats would speak as one with their votes and their applause.

Three generations of the Garza family responded with tears.

“I always think of my son. I know he is always with us,” Annissa Garza, the mother of 19-month-old Kirk Antonio Coleman. He suffered abusive head trauma at the hands of a neighbor who was serving as a daycare provider in October 2014.

“This is a day of joy for me. Kirk was a wonderful precious child and to have lost him was just horrific,” Regina Gunter, Kirk’s great grandmother remarked.

“At home you leave your children with the neighbors. Once you get used to the neighbors, you leave your children with them and you run to the store.  This way you will be able to check your neighbor out,” Angie Garza, Kirk’s grandmother, explained.

“She had a previous conviction we knew nothing about,” Garza continued.

Jackie Rolston was charged with battery resulting in the death of a child related to this case. Court records show she was charged in 2006 with neglect of a dependent and battery on a child as well.  She was sentenced to 18 months probation and the battery charge was dismissed as part of a plea bargain.

“It’s the first in the country to be like this. We have different registries for different offenders, but this is the first for children and I think it is long overdue,” said Rep. Robert Morris (R-Fort Wayne), who carried the legislation creating the child abuse registry in the House.

“We didn’t know about a previous conviction until four days after Kirk passed away,” Angie Garza said with disgust.

“It’s going to be a free service for parents. They don’t have to pay for a background check. It’s going to help so many parents because they can’t afford to go through the state police to get a background check. It’s just too expensive,” Gunter explained.

“If we would have had this, Kirk would most likely still be here,” Angie Garza stated.

“We call it it Kirk’s Law. We gave it his name because we feel like his legacy will continue on forever, we hope,” Gunter said – and there’s no doubt that’s what they were thinking as they sat in the House Chamber after the vote was taken.

We are still waiting to see if the Senate concurs with an amendment added in the House that puts the responsibility for operating with the courts. The Senate is expected to accept that change.  If it does, the SB 357 the Registry of Convicted Child Abusers will go the Gov. Mike Pence for his signature.”

Indiana lawmakers pass bill to create child abuse registry
  [WTHR 3/3/16 by Kevin Rader]

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