HF 576 (LSB 2145YH (2) 89)

HOUSE FILE 576

BY  WHEELER

A BILL FOR

An Act relating to the viewing of a missing person report by immediate family members of a missing person.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF IOWA:

    Section 1.  Section 694.10, Code 2021, is amended by adding the following new subsection:
   NEW SUBSECTION.  7.  After a person reported missing has been missing for five or more years, up to two immediate family members of the missing person shall be allowed to view the missing person report compiled pursuant to section 694.3 and any updated information relating to the missing person report submitted to the missing person information clearinghouse. The department of public safety may authorize more than two immediate family members of the missing person to view the report, provided, however, that an immediate family member who is currently a suspect in an active investigation by law enforcement concerning the missing person shall not be allowed to view the missing person report. Persons viewing the report shall not photograph, share, or otherwise publish the contents of the report. For purposes of this subsection, “immediate family member” means a husband or wife; natural or adoptive parent, child, or sibling; stepparent, stepchild, or stepsibling; father-in-law, mother-in-law, son-in-law, daughter-in-law, brother-in-law, or sister-in-law; or grandparent or grandchild.
EXPLANATION
The inclusion of this explanation does not constitute agreement with
the explanation’s substance by the members of the general assembly.
   This bill relates to the viewing of a missing person report by immediate family members of a missing person.
   The bill provides that after a person reported missing has been missing for five or more years, up to two immediate family members of the missing person shall be allowed to view the missing person report and any updated information relating to the missing person report submitted to the missing person information clearinghouse. The department of public safety may authorize more than two immediate family members of the missing person to view the report, provided, however, that an immediate family member who is currently a suspect in an active investigation by law enforcement concerning the missing person shall not be allowed to view the missing person report. Persons viewing the report shall not photograph, share, or otherwise publish the contents of the report. 
   The bill defines “immediate family member” as a husband or wife; natural or adoptive parent, child, or sibling; stepparent, stepchild, or stepsibling; father-in-law, mother-in-law, son-in-law, daughter-in-law, brother-in-law, or sister-in-law; or grandparent or grandchild.