House File 2571 - Reprinted HOUSE FILE 2571 BY COMMITTEE ON JUDICIARY (SUCCESSOR TO HSB 632) (As Amended and Passed by the House March 24, 2026 ) A BILL FOR An Act relating to the Iowa rules of criminal procedure 1 including commitment hearings following an acquittal based 2 on insanity. 3 BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF IOWA: 4 HF 2571 (3) 91 as/js/md
H.F. 2571 Section 1. SUPREME COURT —— RULES OF CRIMINAL PROCEDURE 1 REVISIONS. 2 1. Iowa rule of criminal procedure 2.22(8)(e) shall be 3 amended to add subparagraph (4), to provide: 4 (4) Absence of recent overt acts of dangerousness shall not 5 be the sole determining factor in assessing whether a defendant 6 poses a risk to themselves or others, particularly when such 7 absence may be attributable to the constraints of a highly 8 structured environment. When determining whether a defendant 9 is currently dangerous to themselves or others under this rule, 10 the court shall consider a variety of factors, including but 11 not limited to: 12 (a) Original offense. The nature and circumstances of the 13 original charge or offense leading to the defendant’s insanity 14 acquittal. 15 (b) Behavioral history. The defendant’s past conduct, 16 including prior violent or dangerous acts, irrespective of the 17 presence or absence of recent overt acts. 18 (c) Psychiatric history and current mental status. 19 The defendant’s current psychiatric condition, history of 20 treatment, adherence to treatment, and responsiveness to 21 interventions. 22 (d) Substance use disorder history. The defendant’s 23 history of substance use and its impact on their behavior, 24 including prior diagnoses of substance use disorder, the 25 relationship between substance use and prior violent or 26 dangerous conduct, the likelihood of relapse and its potential 27 to increase dangerousness, and the defendant’s access to and 28 willingness to engage in substance use treatment programs to 29 maintain safety. 30 (e) Institutional behavior and independent functioning. 31 The defendant’s ability and willingness to engage in social, 32 recreational, educational, occupational, or vocational 33 activities; maintain self-care; demonstrate stability, 34 adaptability, and reduced risk of dangerousness in less 35 -1- HF 2571 (3) 91 as/js/md 1/ 2
H.F. 2571 structured environments; seek and utilize support systems; 1 and comply with rules and interact appropriately within a 2 structured environment, including any incidents indicating 3 underlying dangerousness. 4 (f) Environmental influence. The extent to which a highly 5 structured setting, such as a hospital or secured facility, 6 may suppress behaviors that are likely to manifest in less 7 controlled or structured conditions. 8 (g) Expert testimony and risk assessment reports. 9 Evaluations and risk assessments provided by qualified mental 10 health professionals regarding the defendant’s potential 11 danger to themself or others. This includes consideration of 12 validated risk assessment tools and methodologies, including 13 any limitations in assessing an individual confined to a 14 structured setting. 15 2. The revised rules of criminal procedure shall be 16 submitted for legislative council review no later than October 17 14, 2026. 18 -2- HF 2571 (3) 91 as/js/md 2/ 2