HOUSE FILE 480

BY  BERRY

A BILL FOR

An Act relating to restoration of rights of citizenship for persons convicted of a crime.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF IOWA:

   Section 1.  NEW SECTION.  914.8  Restoration of rights of citizenship —— notification.
   1.  A person convicted of a felony criminal offense who has been discharged from probation under section 907.9, discharged from parole or work release under section 906.15, or who has been released from confinement under section 902.6 because the person has discharged the person’s sentence, shall be immediately notified by the releasing agency that the citizenship rights of the person may be restored if the person has paid, in full, any restitution assessed in the case causing the loss of citizenship rights.
   2.  The notification provided pursuant to this section shall include a brief description of the process in section 914.1 through 914.6 for restoration of rights of citizenship. The notification may also include any applicable forms, internet sites, and contact information that may assist the person in achieving restoration of rights of citizenship.
EXPLANATION
   This bill relates to the restoration of the rights of citizenship for persons convicted of a crime.
   Under the bill, a person convicted of a felony criminal offense who has been discharged from probation under Code section 907.9, discharged from parole or work release under Code section 906.15, or who has been released from confinement under Code section 902.6 because the person has discharged the person’s sentence, shall be immediately notified by the releasing agency that the citizenship rights of the person may be restored if the person has paid, in full, any restitution assessed in the case causing the loss of citizenship rights.
   The notification required by the bill shall include a brief description of the restoration of the rights of citizenship process. Any notification provided under the bill may also include applicable forms, internet sites, and contact information that may assist the person in achieving the restoration of the rights of citizenship.