Bill > SF343

Introduced Session

This bill establishes a grant program in the department of justice for a nonprofit organization providing sexual assault forensic examination centers. The bill requires that the attorney general contract with an eligible nonprofit organization to operate and maintain sexual assault forensic examination centers in the state. The contract may be terminated by the attorney general after a hearing upon written notice and for good cause. The bill provides that a nonprofit organization must comply with all of the following to be eligible for a contract under this section: be a nonprofit organization incorporated in the state; employ or otherwise retain services from sexual assault nurse examiners; and maintain, or be in the process of establishing, one or more treatment facilities in the state that are primarily dedicated to providing a diverse range of services to sexual assault survivors, including but not limited to medical forensic services; provide services for sexual assault survivors, including providing sexual assault care and related trainings, as the overall primary purpose of the organization. The bill provides that a contracting nonprofit organization shall: provide services, including medical forensic services, to sexual assault survivors including adults, children, persons with disabilities, rural Iowans, and other underserved populations; provide or facilitate trainings to medical practitioners regarding the provision of medical forensic services; provide or facilitate trainings to law enforcement officers and prosecuting attorneys regarding sexual assault services; provide or facilitate trainings to members of the public regarding sexual assault services and sexual assault prevention; provide a cooperative team approach regarding sexual assault services and establish an approach that emphasizes the best interests of the sexual assault survivor; involve or consult with persons from various professional disciplines who have training and expertise in addressing special types of sexual assault; and submit an annual report to the attorney general describing the services and trainings that have been provided. The bill provides that a contracting nonprofit organization may seek funding or reimbursement from other sources including but not limited to charging for attendance at trainings. The contract shall provide general funding as reimbursement toward the contracting nonprofit organization’s overall operating expenditures. The bill provides that a contracting nonprofit organization is not a state agency for the purposes of Code chapter 8A, subchapter IV, or Code chapter 20 or 669.

Committee Categories

Cherielynn Westrich (R)*, 

Subcommittee recommends passage. (on 03/03/2025)

Official Document