HF 657: Relating to the preservation of biological evidence collected in relation to a criminal investigation, testimony by an incarcerated witness, and postconviction access to investigative files in a criminal case

What it does

This bill relates to the preservation of biological evidence collected in relation to a criminal investigation, testimony by an incarcerated witness, and postconviction access to investigative files in a criminal case. DIVISION I —— PRESERVATION OF BIOLOGICAL EVIDENCE IN CRIMINAL INVESTIGATIONS.10 (gathering and preservation of sexual abuse evidence collection kits), all biological evidence collected involving a felony or aggravated misdemeanor in an agency’s possession or control shall be preserved and stored by the agency as follows: for cases resulting in a conviction or a deferred judgment, the biological evidence shall be retained for the latter of years from the date the defendant’s conviction becomes final or the period of time that the defendant or a codefendant remains in custody; and for cases not resulting in a conviction, the biological evidence shall be preserved and stored until the expiration of the statute of limitations for the alleged offense.

Senate subcommittee · named March 22, 2023

• Sen. Mike Bousselot (R) · mike.bousselot@legis.iowa.gov
• Sen. Janet Petersen (D) · janet.petersen@legis.iowa.gov
• Sen. Brad Zaun (R)

Lobbying · 5 for, 1 against

For: Americans For Prosperity; Iowa Association for Justice; Iowa Coalition Against Domestic Violence; Iowa Coalition Against Sexual Assault; The Innocence Project

Against: Iowa County Attorneys Association

In plain words

1. March 7, 2023Filed in the House
2. March 20, 2023Cost estimate (fiscal note) posted
3. March 21, 2023Passed the House, 94–0
4. March 22, 2023Arrived in the Senate
5. March 22, 2023Senate subcommittee named: Bousselot, Petersen and Zaun
6. March 27, 2023Subcommittee recommended against it
7. March 28, 2023Cost estimate (fiscal note) posted