Earlier this week District 47 State Senator Erin Houchin received the 2017 Legislative Excellence Award from the Indiana Prosecuting Attorneys Council for her work in the General Assembly last session.
While presenting the award Tippecanoe County Prosecutor Patrick Harrington said Houchin was chosen for her leadership on two key bills during the 2017 session.
This legislation includes Senate Enrolled Act 322, which allows a DNA sample to be taken upon felony arrest and sent for testing after a finding of probable cause, and Senate Enrolled Act 324, which gives prosecutors the ability to enhance sentences for certain quantities of heroin sold over a 90-day period. Senate Enrolled Act 324 was included in House Enrolled Act 1406.
Harrington added that Houchin was diligent in her efforts to pass these bills, which will go far in helping prosecutors shut off the supply of heroin poisoning our communities every day. He says because of her, Indiana is a tougher place for heroin dealers, and a safer place for Hoosiers to grow, work, and live.
Houchin remarked by saying she has a deep appreciation for the good work prosecutors and other law enforcement officials do, and says she knows firsthand how challenging, yet rewarding their jobs can be.
Houchin was first elected to the State Senate in 2014, and represents Crawford, Orange, Harrison, Perry and Washington counties, and eastern Dubois County.
