Senate approves private college crime records bill

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) – The Indiana Senate has approved a measure to exempt police departments at private colleges from following the same crime reporting requirements as public colleges.

The bill by Democratic South Bend Rep. Pat Bauer was approved 49-1 Tuesday and would add into state law existing federal public disclosure requirements.

The measure comes amid a court battle between ESPN and Notre Dame over the university’s refusal to release records about possible crimes involving student athletes. Indiana’s 11 private colleges with police departments, including Notre Dame, do not have to follow the same reporting requirements as other departments.

The measure now returns to the House for further consideration. Republican Sen. Sue Glick of Howe says changes are likely to address criticism the bill doesn’t require private college police departments to disclose enough information.