2022 Legislative Session
In 4.5 months of session, the legislature passed 156 bills and resolutions. This is about 15% of the bills that were filed in 2022.
The SCA governmental affairs team reviewed the bills that passed and summarized the bills of greatest importance to judicial branch operations. Summaries are located on Judicial Insider > State Court Administration > Legislative Information. They can also be found by clicking HERE.
Highlights:
SF 513 - Emergency Hospitalization: This bill authorizes health care providers to hold a person in need of emergency hospitalization due to mental illness or substance abuse for 12 hours before contacting a judicial officer. Previously, health care providers were required to contact a judicial officer at once. The bill also permits persons subject to an emergency hospitalization order to be committed and treated in a bordering state. Prior law only permitted persons subject to full committal proceedings to be committed and treated in another state.
HF 2222 - Pro Se Documents: Generally, defendants and PCR applicants who are represented by counsel are not permitted to file documents pro se, courts are not permitted to consider those documents, and opposing counsel is not permitted to respond to those documents.
This bill authorizes two additional exceptions:
- Defendants and PCR applicants may file a pro se notice of appeal; and
- Defendants may file a pro se response to a motion to withdraw pursuant to IRAP 6.1005.
HF 2239 - Rape Shield in Discovery & Hearsay Exception: This bill applies the rape shield rule set forth in Iowa Rule of Evidence 5.412 to discovery conducted in criminal actions and PCR actions involving victims of sexual abuse.
This bill also adds a hearsay exception in certain circumstances, which requires the court to admit:
- Testimony by the victim concerning an out-of-court statement made by the victim to another person that is an initial disclosure of the offense; and
- Testimony by another concerning an out-of-court statement made by the victim that is an initial disclosure of an offense charged for physical abuse or a sexual offense against the victim
HF 2481 – Judicial Officer Selection and Residency:
- Changes the number of nominees for the court of appeals sent to the governor from three to five.
- Requires DAJs to be appointed in the same manner as district judges.
- Allows district judge and DAJ nominees to be residents of counties contiguous to the judicial election district in which they are applying, but maintains the requirement to reside in the judicial election district during the term of office.
HF 2507 – DHS Chapter 232 Overhaul: This bill makes numerous and significant changes to the juvenile justice chapter of the Code related to juvenile delinquency, child in need of assistance, and termination of parental rights proceedings.
HF 2579 – Infrastructure & Technology Funds: This bill appropriated 100% of the infrastructure & technology funds requested by the judicial branch for the following projects:
- Woodbury County Shelving.
- Remodel Projects, furniture requests, staff ergonomics, replacement of worn furnishings, new judge chambers, and replacement of postage machines throughout all eight districts.
- Connect district phone systems to the judicial branch building system.
- Repurpose/install CTI sound systems in D2, D3, and D5.