Representative authors bills

By Heather Mangold
City Editor

Two bills sponsored by Rep. Sheila Klinker, D-27th, are on their way to the office of Gov. Frank O'Bannon.

House Bill 2111 would raise the offense of exploitation of a dependent or endangered adult from a Class A misdemeanor to a Class D felony. However, the change would be made only if the adult victim is at least 60 and has lost personal property exceeding $1,000.

According to a news release, an endangered adult is defined as anyone over 18 who is incapable of managing or protecting his or her own interest because of mental illness, mental retardation, dementia, habitual drunkenness, excessive use of drugs or any other physical or mental incapacity and has been hurt as a result of neglect, battery or exploitation.

"This bill was sparked by some recent events that took place in my district," said Klinker in the release. "The victims of adult abuse are oftentimes taken advantage of by someone they know, trust and love. They are devastated to the point of severe depression and the results are devastating."

The elderly population is quickly increasing and legislators must enact laws to protect the interests of those people, said Klinker in the release.

In addition to a bill that would protect the well being for the 27th district's elderly, another bill authored by Klinker would benefit the community.

House bill 2009 would combine the Tippecanoe County Board of Elections and the Tippecanoe County Board of Registration to form the Tippecanoe County Board of Elections and Registration, if passed by Gov. Frank O'Bannon.

If the bill were passed, the new board would consist of one member appointed by the county chairman of each of the major political parties in the county and the circuit court clerk, who will serve as an ex officio member of the board, according to the release. In addition, the board will have all powers and duties of the county election board, the board of registration and the county executive.

Nora Jarmon, Democratic Chair for Tippecanoe County, is supportive of the bill.

"It will be a more efficient way for the board to work and we will have one budget instead of two," said Jarmon. "In addition, we'll have an equal number of each party represented in the office."

Jarmon said that now, Tippecanoe County voter registration has an equal number representing the Democrat and Republican parties, but the elections board is one Democrat short of equal representation.

Although Jarmon said she is enthusiastic about the bill, the benefit will most directly go to the public.

"We'll be cross-trained in to know and do each other's jobs," said Jarmon. "That will really benefit the public in that we won't have to refer them to someone else when they come in."

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City editor:
Heather Mangold

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