The bill amends various sections of Iowa law to enhance protections for victims of crime, particularly focusing on victim counselors, sex offender registration, and the rights of sexual abuse victims. Key changes 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. The qualifications for victim counselors have also been updated to require at least twenty hours of training from an approved organization, which includes a comprehensive curriculum on victimization and related laws. Additionally, the bill introduces provisions for protective orders that can be extended indefinitely if the court finds the defendant poses a continued threat and modifies sex offender registration requirements, reducing the timeframe for registration and notification from five to three business days.

Furthermore, the bill addresses competency evaluations in criminal cases, restitution, and crime victim compensation. It mandates that courts schedule hearings within fourteen days upon receiving notifications regarding a defendant's competency status and allows for independent psychiatric evaluations before proceeding with hearings. The restitution framework is revised to prioritize payments to victims and the crime victim compensation program, while certain reimbursements are removed from the priority list. The bill also updates qualifications for sexual assault nurse examiners and establishes a sexual assault forensic examiner program within the Department of Justice. These changes aim to improve support for victims of crime and streamline legal processes related to competency and restitution, with provisions taking effect on July 1, 2027.

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