The Substitute House Bill No. 7259 introduces significant amendments to existing criminal justice laws, set to take effect on October 1, 2025. Key changes include the redefinition of terms related to DNA analysis, where the Division of Scientific Services will only disclose results to law enforcement if a match is found, and nonqualifying DNA sample information must be shared with the conviction integrity unit for exculpatory evidence purposes. The bill also modifies the classification of the offense of failure to appear in court, reducing the penalty for first offenses from a class A misdemeanor to a class D misdemeanor while maintaining the class A designation for subsequent offenses. Additionally, it establishes a labeling system for sexual assault evidence kits based on victims' preferences and mandates that all kits be sent to the Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection for analysis.

Moreover, the bill addresses civil immigration detainers by expanding the definition of "law enforcement officer" to include juvenile probation officers and state’s attorneys, and it restricts the arrest of individuals based solely on civil immigration detainers without a judicial warrant. It also allows for sentence reductions for individuals confined due to extradition demands and clarifies the use of electronic defense weapons by peace officers, stating they will not be classified as deadly force. The bill further increases penalties for violations of the Liquor Control Act and establishes new penalties for allowing underage individuals to participate in online gaming or sports wagering. Overall, these amendments aim to enhance the legal framework surrounding criminal justice, improve the handling of evidence, and delineate the responsibilities of law enforcement in immigration matters.

Statutes affected:
Raised Bill: 51-247, 54-56l, 30-113, 14-223
JUD Joint Favorable Substitute: 54-56l, 30-113
File No. 808: 54-56l, 30-113
File No. 953: 54-192h, 30-113