Bills › 89th General Assembly
Relating to the establishment of a cold case investigation unit within the department of public safety
Where it is now
- Done: IntroducedJanuary 14, 2021
- Done: SubcommitteeJanuary 28, 2021
- Done: Senate committeeMarch 4, 2021
- Skipped: Passes the SenateContinued as SF 561
- Next: House committee
- Next: Passes the House
- Next: To the Governor
- Next: Signed into law
Became SF 561 → Its progress continues under the new number. Go to SF 561 What’s a funnel?
What’s in it
AI summary Iowa would create a new team within the Department of Public Safety to look into old, unsolved crimes. This unit would focus on investigating murders and cases involving missing children or adults who are believed to be dead. At least two full-time agents would be assigned to work on these cases after the original investigation has already been finished.1
Read the official explanation
This bill establishes a cold case investigation unit within the department of public safety. The bill provides that the commissioner of public safety may assign the cold case investigation unit to a division or bureau within the department. Under the bill, the cold case investigation unit shall, within the capabilities of the unit, conduct criminal investigations after an initial criminal investigation has been completed by the law enforcement agency conducting the initial criminal investigation. The bill specifies that the unit shall focus on investigations related to unsolved murders, missing children, and missing adults presumed to be deceased. The bill provides that the commissioner shall appoint at least two full-time agents to the cold case investigation unit, and the department of public safety shall adopt rules to administer the provisions of the bill.
Senate subcommittee
Named January 28, 2021. On February 10, 2021 it recommended amendment and passage.
- Sen. J. Taylor
- Sen. Craig Johnson REmail
- Sen. Kevin Kinney D
Three legislators hear a bill first and recommend what the committee should do; it’s the best time to weigh in. How to take part
Fiscal note
AI summary Senate File 561 creates a Cold Case Investigation Unit within the Department of Public Safety to investigate unsolved murders and missing persons cases. This bill is estimated to increase costs to the Department of Public Safety by $298,600 in fiscal year 2023 and $138,400 in fiscal year 2024.3
Read the fiscal note
Description
Senate File 561 establishes a Cold Case Investigation Unit within the Department of Public Safety (DPS). The Unit is tasked, within its capabilities, with conducting criminal investigations after an initial criminal investigation has been completed by law enforcement. The Unit is to focus on investigations involving unsolved murders, missing children, and missing adults presumed to be dead. The Bill requires the Commissioner of Public Safety to appoint at least 2.0 full-time equivalent (FTE) positions to the Cold Case Investigation Unit.
Background
Currently, no specific unit within the DPS is assigned to handle existing cold cases. At this time, the Major Crimes Unit (MCU) takes responsibility for investigating cold cases as time and resources allow.
Assumptions
- Due to the complex nature of cold case investigations, the DPS will need to appoint agents at the position classification level of Special Agent. In order to investigate cold cases, significant crime-solving experience is needed.
- It is assumed that the DPS will reassign 2.0 existing Special Agent positions. In order to backfill these two positions and to accommodate the Department’s internal hiring process, the DPS assumes it would eventually hire two Trooper I positions.
- Due to the strict timeline of the hiring process and subsequent academy admission, it is likely that the DPS will not be able to fully onboard the two Trooper I positions needed for personnel backfill until FY 2023.
- For FY 2024, compensation totals are adjusted for a 3.0% increase in salary and benefits.
Fiscal Impact
Table 1 provides a breakdown of the cost for 2.0 Trooper I FTE position for two years, including salary and benefit details.
Table 1 — Cost of 2.0 Trooper I FTE Positions, FY 2023 – FY 2024 Senate File 561 will increase the cost to the DPS by an estimated $298,600 in FY 2023 and $138,400 in FY 2024.
Sources
- Department of Public Safety
- LSA analysis
- Cold Case Unit · March 22, 2021
- Cold Case Task Force · February 17, 2021 · $309,180
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Tried before
89th General Assembly
Picked up later
Earlier and later bills are matched by wording or an identical title.
Tried before
This idea has been filed in an earlier General Assembly. None got through a chamber.
- HF 2430 Relating to the establishment of a cold case investigation unit within the department of p…88th General Assembly · In committee · same titleCleared committee
Similar bills this General Assembly
- SF 2103 Relating to the establishment of a cold case investigation unit within the department of p…89th General Assembly · Renumbered as SF 2234Nearly identical
- SF 40 Relating to the establishment of a cold case investigation unit within the department of p…90th General Assembly · Approved by committeeVery similar
Matched by wording or an identical title.