Provides that the judges of the Marion County juvenile courts may not appoint more than 11 magistrates. Abolishes certain judgeships. Allows the judges of the Elkhart circuit and superior courts to appoint five full-time magistrates. (Current law allows for the appointment of two magistrates.) Adds two superior courts to Hamilton County. Provides that the first judges of Hamilton superior courts No. 8 and No. 9 shall: (1) be elected at the November 2026 general election; (2) take office January 1, 2027; and (3) serve a term of six years. Allows the judges of the Hamilton circuit and superior courts to jointly appoint two additional magistrates to serve the Hamilton County courts. Allows the judge of the Lawrence County juvenile court to appoint not more than one full-time magistrate. Allows the judges of the Vigo circuit and superior courts to jointly appoint one magistrate to serve the Vigo County courts.

Statutes affected:
Introduced House Bill (H): 33-33-29-2, 33-33-29-6
House Bill (H): 33-33-29-2, 33-33-29-6
House Bill (S): 4-12-16.2-5, 33-28-1-2, 33-29-1-1.5, 33-29-1.5-2, 33-31-1-9, 33-33-20-2, 33-33-29-2, 33-33-29-6, 33-34-3-3, 33-34-8-1, 33-34-8-3, 33-37-5-34
Engrossed House Bill (S): 31-31-3-2, 33-33-20-2, 33-33-26-1, 33-33-28-1, 33-33-29-2, 33-33-29-6, 33-33-40-1, 33-33-53-1, 33-33-56-3, 33-33-60-2, 33-33-60-3, 33-33-60-4, 33-33-60-5, 33-33-60-6, 33-33-60-7, 33-33-72-1, 4-12-16.2-5, 33-28-1-2, 33-29-1-1.5, 33-29-1.5-2, 33-31-1-9, 33-34-3-3, 33-34-8-1, 33-34-8-3, 33-37-5-34, 33-33-49-32