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AB 193 would give victims of domestic violence free, expedited police reports; committee hears support and limited opposition
Summary
AB 193 extends to domestic violence victims the same free, unredacted (subject to redaction) police-report access currently provided to sexual-assault victims, allowing victims to obtain copies within a month; proponents said it removes barriers, defenders requested narrow language to avoid trial interference.
CARSON CITY — The Senate Judiciary Committee took testimony on Assembly Bill 193, a measure to allow victims of domestic violence to obtain copies of police reports free of charge and within a month of request, aligning that access with existing provisions for sexual-assault victims.
Assemblyman Greg Koenig (sponsor) said AB 193 extends existing help available to sexual-assault victims to survivors of domestic violence. William Horne of SafeNest, a Nevada victim services provider, told the committee the change would remove financial and administrative barriers for survivors who need a police report for housing, employment or protective-order matters. "This bill is designed to provide those survivors of domestic violence ... the same advantages and helps to those of sexual-assault victims," Horne said.
Joshua Martinez of the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department testified in support and said law enforcement would redact identifying details such as Social Security numbers or other sensitive information as appropriate. Martinez said departments already charge fees in many instances and welcomed the alignment with protections afforded to sexual-assault victims.
The Clark County Public Defender’s Office offered a soft opposition focused on language. Paloma Guerrero said the office supports free reports but urged caution about requiring the release of "complete and unaltered copies of all reports" before a case is closed or a plea is taken. Guerrero argued that providing witness statements and other investigative materials prematurely could affect witnesses’ memory and risk trial fairness. The public defender’s office proposed an amendment to limit full report release until after case closure or plea.
Committee legal staff advised that an analogous provision already exists for sexual-assault victims (the staff referenced the existing NRS provision for sexual-assault victims) and that the bill mirrors that approach. Supporters said the bill expedites access (the measure requires the report be furnished within 30 days) and removes costs for survivors who frequently lack resources.
Ending: The committee closed the hearing after stakeholders expressed general support for free access to reports while debating the appropriate timing and redaction safeguards to protect prosecution integrity and witness testimony.
