HF 2639: Relating to limitations on discovery depositions involving minor victims

What it does

This bill relates to limitations on discovery depositions involving minor victims. The bill provides that there shall be a rebuttable presumption in favor of permitting a discovery deposition of a minor victim in a criminal action when defense counsel demonstrates to the court, by a preponderance of the evidence, that such deposition is critical to the defendant’s ability to receive an adequate and fair trial. Defense counsel seeking to depose a minor victim must file a written application with the court, which sets forth with particularity: the specific factual matters or areas of inquiry that defense counsel seeks to explore through the deposition; the reasons why the requested information is critical to the defense; a description of efforts made to obtain the information through other discovery methods, including but not limited to review of the forensic interview, written interrogatories, requests for production, or depositions of other witnesses; an estimate of the time reasonably necessary to complete the deposition; and a proposed plan for minimizing trauma to the minor deponent, including proposed location, timing, and any accommodations.

Lobbying · 7 for, 1 against

For: Blank Childrens Hospital; Iowa Attorney General Dept. of Justice; Iowa Coalition Against Domestic Violence; Iowa County Attorneys Association; Iowa Organization for Victim Assistance; Iowa State Sheriffs' & Deputies' Association; Soaring Hearts

Against: Iowa Association for Justice

In plain words

1. February 19, 2026Filed in the House
2. March 9, 2026Cost estimate (fiscal note) posted