This bill seeks to enhance protections for victims of sexual assault and other crimes in Iowa by amending various legal provisions related to victim counseling, protective orders, and sex offender registration. Key amendments include a clearer definition of "confidential communication" between victims and counselors, ensuring that counselors cannot be compelled to disclose information except under specific circumstances, such as when the victim waives the privilege or there is an imminent risk of serious harm. The bill also introduces immunity for victim counselors and crime victim centers that make good faith disclosures. Additionally, it extends the duration of protective orders for sexual offenses, reduces the timeframe for sex offenders to register changes in their information, and mandates the preservation of sexual assault examination kits for twenty years or the lifetime of a minor victim.

Further provisions of the bill include the establishment of new procedures for evaluating a defendant's mental competency, allowing for independent evaluations and bond review hearings. It also clarifies the process for courts to determine competency status and outlines conditions for a defendant's release. The bill reclassifies reimbursements from the crime victim compensation program as category A restitution, ensuring that these are ordered without regard to an offender's ability to pay. Moreover, it mandates that sexual assault nurse examiners complete a specific forensic examiner program and expands the definition of a victim to include foster parents or custodians, allowing them to qualify as secondary victims in legal proceedings. Overall, the legislation aims to strengthen victim rights and improve the handling of cases involving sexual offenses and mental health evaluations.

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