Proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the State of Iowa relating to the right of an accused to confront children and other witnesses

Proposed by the Attorney General · all agency proposals

Topics:Courts & civil law Crime & corrections

Same legislation: HSB 35, SSB 1057, SJR 9

Write your legislators about itWhat changed before it passed

Official bill page Lobbyist declarations One-pager to print

Where it is now

Done: IntroducedJanuary 16, 2025
Done: Approved in committeeFebruary 24, 2025
Done: Passes the HouseApril 17, 2025
Done: Passes the SenateMarch 19, 2025
Stopped: Passes again next General AssemblyDid not pass
Next: Voters decideOn the next general election ballot

Did not pass It didn’t pass both chambers before the General Assembly ended. What’s a funnel?

What’s in it

AI summary If passed, this amendment would allow the law to limit a person's right to face certain witnesses in court. This change would specifically apply to children under 18 and witnesses with mental illnesses or disabilities.¹

Read the official explanation

This joint resolution proposes an amendment to the Constitution of the State of Iowa relating to the right of an accused to confront children and other witnesses. The resolution provides that in order to protect children under the age of 18 and any witness with a mental illness, intellectual disability, or other developmental disability, the right of an accused to confront such witnesses may be limited by law. The resolution, if adopted, would be published and then referred to the next general assembly (92nd) for adoption, before being submitted to the electorate for ratification.

Why it matters. If adopted, this amendment would allow the law to limit the right of an accused person to confront children or witnesses with mental illnesses, intellectual disabilities, or other developmental disabilities. This change would affect people involved in criminal court cases and the legal processes used to protect certain witnesses.²

Full bill text · What changed before it passed³

House subcommittee

Named January 16, 2025 (as HSB 35). On January 22, 2025 it recommended passage.

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

1 written public comment to its subcommittee: January 22, 2025 (1) · on the Legislature’s site

Lobbying

22 for · 2 against · 4 undecided · Who →

Family tree

Study bill

HSB 35Renumbered SSB 1057Renumbered

91st General Assembly

HJR 9Didn’t advancefrom HSB 35 SJR 9Passed a chamberfrom SSB 1057