Sec. 7. (a) As used in this section, "high tech crime" refers to a criminal act that is either:
(1) committed with; or
(2) assisted by;
digital evidence, network, or communications technology.
(b) The high tech crimes unit fund is established. The council shall administer the fund. Expenditures from the fund may be made only in accordance with appropriations made by the general assembly.
(c) The council shall establish high tech crimes units to assist prosecuting attorneys in investigating, collecting evidence, and prosecuting high tech crimes. The council shall issue a request for proposals to select up to ten (10) counties that collectively represent the north, south, east, west, and central geographic areas of Indiana to establish high tech crimes units in the prosecuting attorneys' offices in those counties.
(d) The council may use money from the fund to provide assistance to prosecuting attorneys to:
(1) provide personnel costs, training, technical assistance, and technical support to established high tech crimes units; and
(2) enhance the ability of prosecuting attorneys to investigate, collect evidence, and prosecute high tech crimes.
(e) The council may allocate not more than five percent (5%) of the money available from the fund to reimburse expenses incurred in the administration of the fund.
(f) The treasurer of state shall invest the money in the fund not currently needed to meet the obligations of the fund in the same manner as other public funds may be invested.
(g) Money in the fund at the end of the fiscal year does not revert to the state general fund.
As added by P.L.16-2021, SEC.1.