For the second consecutive year, Indiana State Senator Mike Crider, R-Greenfield, is taking aim at those who commit domestic violence. 

Crider, who represents a portion of Shelby County, is the author of Senate Bill 79. The bill is aimed to enhance the penalty for domestic violence involving strangulation. The bill would make domestic battery a Level 4 felony if the suspect has a previous conviction involving strangulation of a member of the same household. 

Normally, domestic violence charges are a Level 5 or Level 6 felony. 

Crider told Giant FM this bill is an important one, especially to the victims of domestic violence. 

"We know that when violence reaches that level, really bad things happen so I am trying to get the penalty at a level someone doesn't just bond out and go right back into a volatile situation," Crider said. 

Over the years, Crider has worked on legislation aimed at victims of violent crimes, including rape. Last year, Governor Eric Holcomb signed into law a bill that extends the statute of limitations in rape or sexual assault cases by five years past the age of 31 if there is new DNA evidence discovered or video recording is found or if the person who committed the offense confesses. 

Crider says a main reason why his legislation continually getting passed and signed into law has to do with his developing a reputation inside the Statehouse. 

"I think I've developed a reputation. That makes it easier. Being part of leadership may help a bit, but I work on some tough issues and I fight pretty hard for them, so my success rate is pretty high," Crider told Giant FM.