Allowing Additional Execution Methods (SB 11, HB 1119)

While these bills failed, language could be reintroduced in future sessions.

• SB 11: Firing Squad, authored by Sen. Michael Young, Sen. Chris Garten, Sen. James Tomes | Status: Failed
• HB 1119: Execution Methods, authored by Rep. Jim Lucas | Status: Failed

These bills represent a disturbing and barbaric escalation of state power. Instead of shifting away from capital punishment, both bills would allow the state to execute people by firing squad under certain conditions. HB 1119 originally allowed the use of nitrogen hypoxia – which causes suffocation, but this was amended out.

Both bills would have allowed these violent execution methods to be implemented behind a veil of secrecy that would make it practically impossible to investigate mistakes, unsafe practices, or constitutional violations. We oppose these bills because they are inhumane and push Indiana further down the path of expanding the death penalty — a cruel, irreversible practice that should be abolished.