Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Criminal Procedure Victims topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Senate clears constitutional amendment to ease confrontation requirement for certain vulnerable witnesses
Summary
Senate Joint Resolution 9, a proposed Iowa constitutional amendment creating an exception to the confrontation clause to protect child witnesses and witnesses with intellectual or developmental disabilities, passed the Senate unanimously and will be placed before voters if it clears remaining legislative steps.
Senate Joint Resolution 9, which proposes amending the Iowa Constitution to create an exception to the Sixth Amendment confrontation right for children under 18 and witnesses with intellectual or developmental disabilities, passed the Senate unanimously on a roll call.
Sponsor Senator Dawson (Potawatomi) described SJR 9 as a measure to “protect children under the age of 18 and any witness with a mental or intellectual disability or other developmental disability,” allowing certain testimony procedures that otherwise might conflict with the right to confront an accuser. Supporters framed the resolution as corrective action to address recent court decisions; Senator Blake (Polk) said he rose in support and described the measure as “an essential fix.”
There was little floor debate beyond expressions of support; the clerk announced a 47–0 roll call in favor. The resolution, having passed the Senate, proceeds through the constitutional amendment process (it must be approved again in a subsequent legislative session or meet other procedural requirements and then be submitted to voters), per standard state practice.
