Indy Standard

Legislation that seeks to outlaw signal jamming devices has advanced in the Indiana House of Representatives. Sponsored by State Representative Cindy Ledbetter (R-Newburgh), Senate Bill 26 aims to criminalize the use, sale, manufacturing, and distribution of radio frequency jamming devices, except when federally authorized.

These devices can disrupt a range of functions, including alarm disarming, radio communications, and computer operations, potentially hindering law enforcement officers in their duties. Ledbetter emphasized the necessity of the bill, stating, "With the evolution of technology, law enforcement officers rely on security systems, radios, and computers to assist them in protecting and serving our communities better. This legislation ensures we are updating our laws to include potential threats to law enforcement's ability to keep our communities safe."

The bill gained further attention following an incident in 2024 involving an Evansville burglar who employed a signal-jamming device during a traffic stop to evade police, disrupting the performance of in-car police laptops. Signal jamming is already prohibited under federal law when it interferes with authorized radio communications. Ledbetter's bill seeks to enhance the ability of law enforcement to seize these devices and penalize those in possession of them.

Those interested in further details about the legislative process can visit iga.in.gov.