The bill aims to enhance victim protections in Iowa by amending various laws related to victim counselors, protective orders, sex offender registration, and the rights of sexual abuse victims. Key amendments include a clarified definition of "confidential communication" between victims and counselors, ensuring that victim counselors cannot be compelled to disclose confidential information in legal proceedings except under specific circumstances, such as when the victim waives the privilege or if there is an imminent risk of serious harm. The bill also introduces immunity for victim counselors and crime victim centers participating in good faith disclosures and expands training requirements for victim counselors to cover a broader range of topics relevant to victimization.

Additionally, the bill addresses protective orders, allowing them to be extended indefinitely if the defendant poses a continued threat, and permits victims of sexual offenses to request long-term protective orders during sentencing. It modifies sex offender registration requirements by reducing the notification period for changes in a sex offender's status from five to three business days. The legislation mandates that sexual assault evidence collection kits be stored for a minimum of 20 years or for the lifetime of a minor victim, regardless of whether a criminal complaint has been filed. It also establishes the right for victims to have a victim counselor present during proceedings and outlines procedures for obtaining protective orders in cases of sexual offenses, while enhancing the overall rights and protections for victims within the legal system.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 915.20A, 236A.7, 709.8, 692A.104, 664A.3, 910.1, 915.80, 815.9, 915.46