Sec. 1. If a present or former public employee, including a member of a board, a committee, a commission, an authority, or another instrumentality of a governmental entity, is or could be subject to personal civil liability for a loss occurring because of a noncriminal act or omission within the scope of the public employee's employment which violates the civil rights laws of the United States, the governmental entity (when the governmental entity defends or has the opportunity to defend the public employee) shall, subject to IC 34-13-3-4, IC 34-13-3-14, IC 34-13-3-15, and IC 34-13-3-16, pay:
(1) any judgment (other than for punitive damages) of the claim or suit; or
(2) any judgment for punitive damages, compromise, or settlement of the claim or suit if:
(A) the governor, in the case of a claim or suit against a state employee; or
(B) the governing body of the political subdivision, in the case of a claim or suit against an employee of a political subdivision;
determines that paying the judgment for punitive damages, compromise, or settlement is in the best interest of the governmental entity. The governmental entity shall also pay all costs and fees incurred by or on behalf of a public employee in defense of the claim or suit.
[Pre-1998 Recodification Citation: 34-4-16.7-1 part.]
As added by P.L.1-1998, SEC.8. Amended by P.L.192-2001, SEC.4; P.L.161-2003, SEC.8.
Structure Indiana Code
Title 34. Civil Law and Procedure
Article 13. Causes of Action: Claims Against the Government
Chapter 4. Civil Rights Claims Against Public Employees
34-13-4-2. Defending State Employee for Claims or Suits Arising Under Civil Rights Laws
34-13-4-3. Chapter as Not Waiving Eleventh Amendment
34-13-4-4. Attorney's Fees; Allowance to Governmental Entity; Action for Abuse of Process