Ind. Code § 12-18-9-1 "Coalition"
Sec. 1. As used in this chapter, "coalition" refers to the Indiana coalition against domestic violence or a successor organization.
As added by P.L.258-2017, SEC.13.
Ind. Code ch. 12-18-9
Ind. Code ch. 12-18-9
in effectInd. Code § 12-18-9-2 State domestic violence fatality review coordinator
Sec. 2. As used in this chapter, "state domestic violence fatality review coordinator" refers to the individual employed by the coalition as the state domestic violence fatality review coordinator.
As added by P.L.258-2017, SEC.13.
Ind. Code § 12-18-9-3 Statewide domestic violence fatality review committee purpose
Sec. 3. The statewide domestic violence fatality review committee is established to:
(1) identify similarities, trends, and factual patterns concerning the deaths of domestic violence victims in Indiana;
(2) create strategies and make recommendations for the prevention of injuries to and deaths of domestic violence victims;
(3) provide expertise, consultation, guidance, and training to local domestic violence fatality review teams; and
(4) advise and educate the general assembly, governor, and public on the status of domestic violence fatalities in Indiana.
As added by P.L.258-2017, SEC.13.
Ind. Code § 12-18-9-4 Statewide domestic violence fatality review committee members
Sec. 4. (a) The statewide domestic violence fatality review committee consists of the following members:
(1) A coroner or deputy coroner.
(2) A representative from the Indiana department of health who specializes in injury prevention.
(3) A medical practitioner with expertise in domestic violence.
(4) A representative of law enforcement who has experience in responding to and investigating domestic violence.
(5) The director of the department of child services or the director's designee.
(6) The executive director of the Indiana prosecuting attorneys council or the executive director's designee.
(7) A mental health provider.
(8) A representative of a domestic violence prevention program.
(9) The state domestic violence fatality review coordinator.
(10) The director of the Indiana criminal justice institute or the director's designee.
(11) A family violence specialist of the Indiana supreme court appointed by the chief justice of the Indiana supreme court.
(b) The governor shall appoint the members described in subsection (a)(1), (a)(2), (a)(3), (a)(4), (a)(7), and (a)(8). Members appointed under subsection (a)(1), (a)(3), and (a)(7) shall serve initial terms of three (3) years. Members appointed under subsection (a)(2), (a)(4), and (a)(8) shall serve initial terms of two (2) years. After the expiration of the initial terms specified by this subsection, each member appointed by the governor shall serve a two (2) year term. A member may be reappointed to serve a subsequent term.
(c) The member appointed under subsection (a)(11) shall serve at the pleasure of the chief justice of the Indiana supreme court.
As added by P.L.258-2017, SEC.13. Amended by P.L.56-2023, SEC.123.
Ind. Code § 12-18-9-5 Statewide domestic violence fatality review committee confidentiality
Sec. 5. A member of the statewide domestic violence fatality review committee and any individuals invited to attend a meeting of the statewide domestic violence fatality review committee shall sign a confidentiality statement prepared by the state domestic violence fatality review coordinator.
As added by P.L.258-2017, SEC.13.
Ind. Code § 12-18-9-6 Statewide domestic violence fatality review committee duties
Sec. 6. The statewide domestic violence fatality review committee shall do the following:
(1) Compile and analyze data recorded by local domestic violence fatality review teams in reviewing domestic violence fatalities.
(2) Review mortality records and examine all other records relevant to domestic violence fatalities in Indiana.
(3) Assist efforts by local domestic violence fatality review teams by:
(A) overseeing the creation of standardized forms and protocols necessary for the review of domestic violence deaths;
(B) providing expertise by answering questions related to a domestic violence death that a local domestic violence fatality review team is reviewing;
(C) establishing and sponsoring training programs for members of local domestic violence fatality review teams; and
(D) providing, upon request of a local domestic violence fatality review team, expertise in creating local prevention strategies.
(4) Upon request by a local domestic violence fatality review team, assist in or conduct a review of the death or near fatality of a possible domestic violence victim as provided under section 7 of this chapter.
(5) In the absence of a county or regional domestic violence fatality review team established under IC 12-18-8, conduct a review of the death or near fatality of a possible domestic violence victim as provided under section 7 of this chapter.
(6) Create strategies and make recommendations for the prevention of serious injuries or deaths from domestic violence.
As added by P.L.258-2017, SEC.13.
Ind. Code § 12-18-9-7 Statewide domestic violence fatality review committee jurisdiction
Sec. 7. (a) Upon request by a local domestic violence fatality review team, the statewide domestic violence fatality review committee shall assist the local domestic violence fatality review team or conduct a review of a death or near fatality that occurred in Indiana as permitted by subsection (c).
(b) In the absence of a county or regional domestic violence fatality review team established under IC 12-18-8, the statewide domestic violence fatality review committee may conduct a review of a death or near fatality that occurred in Indiana as permitted by subsection (c).
(c) A death or near fatality occurring in Indiana may be reviewed by the statewide domestic violence fatality review committee under subsection (a) or (b) if:
(1) the death results from:
(A) domestic violence; or
(B) suicide, in a case of domestic violence; or
(2) the near fatality occurs when a victim of domestic violence suffers a life threatening injury.
(d) In conducting a domestic violence fatality review under this section, the statewide domestic violence fatality review committee may review all applicable records and information related to the death, including the following:
(1) Records held by the:
(A) Indiana department of health or local health department; and
(B) department of child services, subject to IC 31-33-18-2.
(2) Medical records.
(3) Law enforcement, court, and probation records.
(4) Autopsy reports.
(5) Records of the coroner.
(6) Mental health reports.
(e) Subject to IC 34-30-15, if the statewide domestic violence fatality review committee requests records from a hospital, physician, coroner, law enforcement officer, or mental health professional regarding a death that the statewide domestic violence fatality review committee is investigating, the hospital, physician, coroner, law enforcement officer, or mental health professional shall provide the requested records to the statewide domestic violence fatality review committee.
(f) A person who provides records in accordance with subsection (d) in good faith is not subject to liability in:
(1) a civil;
(2) an administrative;
(3) a disciplinary; or
(4) a criminal;
action that might otherwise be imposed as a result of the disclosure of the records.
(g) Except as otherwise provided in this article, information and records acquired by the statewide domestic violence fatality review committee in the exercise of its duties under this chapter are confidential and exempt from disclosure.
(h) Records, information, documents, and reports acquired or produced by the statewide domestic violence fatality review committee are not:
(1) subject to subpoena or discovery; or
(2) admissible as evidence;
in any judicial or administrative proceeding. Information that is otherwise discoverable or admissible from original sources is not immune from discovery or use in any proceeding merely because the information was presented during proceedings before the statewide domestic violence fatality review committee.
As added by P.L.258-2017, SEC.13. Amended by P.L.56-2023, SEC.124.
Ind. Code § 12-18-9-8 Statewide domestic violence fatality review committee review factors
Sec. 8. In reviewing a death under this chapter, the statewide domestic violence fatality review committee shall:
(1) identify the factors that surrounded or contributed to the death;
(2) determine whether similar deaths could be prevented;
(3) if applicable, identify:
(A) agencies and entities that should be involved; and
(B) any other resources that should be used;
to adequately prevent deaths due to domestic violence; and
(4) if applicable, identify solutions to improve practice and policy and enhance coordination.
As added by P.L.258-2017, SEC.13.
Ind. Code § 12-18-9-9 Membership
Sec. 9. (a) The governor shall select the chairperson of the statewide domestic violence fatality review committee.
(b) The statewide domestic violence fatality review committee shall meet at the call of the chairperson.
As added by P.L.258-2017, SEC.13.
Ind. Code § 12-18-9-10 Chairperson; requirements
Sec. 10. The chairperson of the statewide domestic violence fatality review committee shall do the following:
(1) Work with the state domestic violence fatality review coordinator to prepare the agenda for each meeting of the statewide domestic violence fatality review committee.
(2) Work with the state domestic violence fatality review coordinator to:
(A) prepare the report of the statewide domestic violence fatality review committee required by section 13 of this chapter; and
(B) ensure compliance with section 11 of this chapter.
(3) Upon the conclusion of a review of a domestic violence fatality, destroy all records, information, and documents obtained by the statewide domestic violence fatality review committee under section 7 of this chapter.
As added by P.L.258-2017, SEC.13.
Ind. Code § 12-18-9-11 Statewide domestic violence fatality review committee meetings
Sec. 11. (a) Except as provided in subsection (b), meetings of the statewide domestic violence fatality review committee are open to the public.
(b) A meeting of the statewide domestic violence fatality review committee that involves:
(1) confidential records; or
(2) identifying information regarding a domestic violence fatality that is confidential under state or federal law;
shall be held as an executive session.
(c) If a meeting is held as an executive session under subsection (b), each invitee who:
(1) attends the meeting; and
(2) is not a member of the statewide domestic violence fatality review committee;
shall sign a confidentiality statement prepared by the state domestic violence fatality review coordinator.
As added by P.L.258-2017, SEC.13.
Ind. Code § 12-18-9-12 Members; immunity
Sec. 12. Members of the statewide domestic violence fatality review committee and individuals who attend a meeting of the statewide domestic violence fatality review committee as invitees of the chairperson:
(1) may discuss among themselves confidential matters that are before the statewide domestic violence fatality review committee;
(2) are bound by all applicable laws regarding the confidentiality of matters reviewed by the statewide domestic violence fatality review committee; and
(3) except when acting:
(A) with malice;
(B) in bad faith; or
(C) with gross negligence;
are immune from any civil or criminal liability that might otherwise be imposed as a result of communicating among themselves about confidential matters that are before the statewide domestic violence fatality review committee.
As added by P.L.258-2017, SEC.13.
Ind. Code § 12-18-9-13 Reports
Sec. 13. (a) The statewide domestic violence fatality review committee shall submit to the legislative council, the governor, the Indiana criminal justice institute, and the coalition before December 31 of each even-numbered year a report that includes the following information:
(1) A summary of the data collected and reviewed by the statewide domestic violence fatality review committee.
(2) Trends and patterns that have been identified by the statewide domestic violence fatality review committee concerning deaths due to domestic violence in Indiana.
(3) Recommended actions or resources to prevent domestic violence fatalities in Indiana.
(b) A report submitted under this section to the legislative council must be in an electronic format under IC 5-14-6.
(c) The statewide domestic violence fatality review committee shall provide a copy of a report submitted under this section to a member of the public upon request.
(d) The Indiana criminal justice institute shall make the report available on the Indiana criminal justice institute's website.
As added by P.L.258-2017, SEC.13. Amended by P.L.1-2025, SEC.174.
Ind. Code § 12-18-9-14 Privileged communications
Sec. 14. (a) A report released under section 13 of this chapter may not contain identifying information relating to the fatalities reviewed by the statewide domestic violence fatality review committee or any local domestic violence fatality review team.
(b) Except as otherwise provided in this article, review data concerning a domestic violence fatality are confidential and may not be released.
As added by P.L.258-2017, SEC.13.
Ind. Code § 12-18-9-15 Confidentiality
Sec. 15. The discussions, determinations, conclusions, and recommendations of the statewide domestic violence fatality review committee or its members, concerning a review of a domestic violence fatality, at a meeting of the statewide domestic violence fatality review committee:
(1) are privileged; and
(2) are not:
(A) subject to subpoena or discovery; or
(B) admissible as evidence;
in any judicial or administrative proceeding.
As added by P.L.258-2017, SEC.13.
Ind. Code § 12-18-9-16 Compensation; per diem
Sec. 16. A member of the statewide domestic violence fatality review committee is not entitled to receive compensation or a per diem.
As added by P.L.258-2017, SEC.13.
Ind. Code § 12-18-9-17 Confidentiality
Sec. 17. The statewide domestic violence fatality review committee is subject to the confidentiality provisions of IC 31-33-18 applying to records held by the statewide domestic violence fatality review committee.
As added by P.L.258-2017, SEC.13.
Source: Open US Law by Vaquill AI (CC BY 4.0)URL: https://iga.in.gov/laws/2026/ic/titles/12Fetched: 10/17/2026