HF 2645 (LSB 6888HV (1) 91)

HOUSE FILE 2645

BY  COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC SAFETY

(SUCCESSOR TO HSB 732)

A BILL FOR

An Act relating to the establishment of an electronic court notification system.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF IOWA:

    Section 1.  NEW SECTION.  602.1209B  Electronic court notification system.
   1.  For purposes of this section:
   a.  “Enrolled individuals” means:
   (1)  Every person who receives a citation, is arrested, or otherwise enters any criminal justice proceeding after the establishment of an opt-out electronic court notification system by the state court administrator.
   (2)  Every person who is a victim or witness associated with a criminal justice proceeding.
   (3)  Any attorney representing a person in a criminal justice proceeding or a legal guardian of a person involved in a criminal justice proceeding.
   b.  “Opt-out electronic court notification system” means a system designed and operated to inform enrolled individuals through electronic, text-based notifications for criminal cases in which such individuals are involved.
   2.  The state court administrator shall, by July 1, 2027, establish an opt-out electronic court notification system for all pending and future criminal case actions. The system shall meet all of the following requirements:
   a.  Deliver text-based notifications to enrolled individuals regarding all public case proceedings and events, including appearance reminders containing the date, time, and location, and notification of fees due and methods of payment.
   b.  Provide enrolled individuals with a clear and simple option to opt out of receiving notifications through the electronic court notification system.
   c.  Protect against the disclosure of nonpublic information, including information filed in cases under seal.
   d.  Limit participation in the electronic court notification system to enrolled individuals.
   3.  The electronic court notification system may be operated by the Iowa judicial branch or be operated under a contract with a qualified third-party entity that meets the requirements of this section.
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 establishment of an electronic court notification system.
   The bill provides that the state court administrator shall, by July 1, 2027, establish an opt-out electronic court notification system for all pending and future criminal case actions. The system shall: deliver text-based notifications to enrolled individuals regarding all public case proceedings and events, including appearance reminders containing the date, time, and location, and notification of fees due and methods of payment; provide enrolled individuals with a clear and simple option to opt out of receiving notifications through the electronic court notification system; protect against the disclosure of nonpublic information, including information filed in cases under seal; and limit participation in the electronic court notification system to enrolled individuals.
   The bill provides that the electronic court notification system may be operated by the Iowa judicial branch or be operated under a contract with a qualified third-party entity that meets the requirements of the bill.