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IA SF2055
IA SF2055A bill for an act relating to the Iowa rules of criminal procedure including commitment hearings following an acquittal based on insanity.
summary
Introduced
01/15/2026
01/15/2026
In Committee
01/15/2026
01/15/2026
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
Introduced Session
91st General Assembly
Bill Summary
This bill relates to the Iowa rules of criminal procedure including commitment hearings following an acquittal based on insanity. The bill provides a list of factors a court must consider in determining whether a defendant continues to be mentally ill and dangerous to the defendant’s self or others. The bill states that the absence of recent overt acts of dangerousness shall not, by itself, be the sole determining factor in assessing whether the defendant poses a risk to the defendant’s self or others. The factors include the original offense, behavioral history, psychiatric history and current mental status, substance use disorder history, institutional behavior and independent functioning, environmental influences, and expert testimony and risk assessment reports. The revised rules of criminal procedure shall be submitted for legislative council review no later than October 14, 2026.
AI Summary
This bill proposes changes to the Iowa rules of criminal procedure, specifically concerning commitment hearings for defendants acquitted of a crime due to insanity. It mandates that when a court decides if such a defendant remains mentally ill and a danger to themselves or others, the absence of recent violent actions alone will not be enough to determine they are not a risk, especially if that absence is due to being in a highly controlled environment. The court must consider a comprehensive list of factors, including the original offense, the defendant's past behavior and psychiatric history, any history of substance use disorders and their connection to dangerousness, how they function both in institutions and independently, environmental influences that might mask dangerousness, and expert opinions from mental health professionals. These revised rules are to be submitted for legislative review by October 14, 2026.
Committee Categories
Justice
Sponsors (1)
Last Action
Placed on calendar. (on 02/18/2026)
Official Document
bill text
bill summary
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bill summary
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bill summary
| Document Type | Source Location |
|---|---|
| State Bill Page | https://www.legis.iowa.gov/legislation/BillBook?ga=91&ba=SF2055 |
| BillText | https://www.legis.iowa.gov/docs/publications/LGI/91/attachments/SF2055.html |
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