SSB 3085: SSB 3085

What it does

This bill amends the Iowa criminal code to provide for punishment by death for capital murder committed by a person age or older if the trial jury, or the judge if there is no jury, makes specific findings and whether the jury believes the defendant should be put to death in a separate penalty proceeding held after the close of the initial trial proceeding. Under the bill, a death sentence could be imposed if the murder would constitute murder in the first degree. The bill provides that in order to receive a sentence of death, the defendant must be at least years of age at the time the murder in the first degree was committed, must not be mentally ill or intellectually disabled, and must have been a major participant in the commission of the crime or must have shown a manifest indifference to human life.

Senate subcommittee · named January 17, 2024

• Sen. Scott Webster (R) · scott.webster@legis.iowa.gov
• Sen. Tony Bisignano (D) · tony.bisignano@legis.iowa.gov
• Sen. David D. Rowley (R) · david.rowley@legis.iowa.gov

Lobbying · 1 for, 9 against

For: Iowa Fraternal Order of Police

Against: Episcopal Diocese of Iowa; Interfaith Alliance of Iowa Action Fund; Iowa Association for Justice; Iowa Catholic Conference; Iowa Coalition Against Domestic Violence; Iowa Mental Health Advocacy; Iowans Against the Death Penalty; League of Women Voters of Iowa; National Association of Social Workers, Iowa Chapter

In plain words

1. January 17, 2024Filed in the Senate and sent to the Judiciary committee
2. January 17, 2024Senate subcommittee named: Webster, Bisignano and Rowley
3. January 29, 2024Subcommittee recommended passing it with changes