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Nevada committee hears bill to give domestic-violence survivors free police reports
Summary
A Nevada Assembly Judiciary hearing on AB193 examined a bill to make police reports free for domestic-violence survivors, with supporters saying the change would reduce barriers to legal and support services and opponents raising concerns about trial fairness and redactions.
CARSON CITY — The Assembly Judiciary Committee on Monday heard testimony on Assembly Bill 193, a proposal to provide survivors of domestic violence free copies of police reports.
The bill, sponsored by Assemblymember Greg Koenig (R., District 38), would extend to domestic-violence victims the same free police-report access already provided to sexual-assault victims. William Horn of Western Public Affairs presented the measure for Koenig and described the measure as removing a cost barrier and helping survivors pursue legal remedies and victim compensation.
Supporters said free reports would help survivors secure protection orders, apply for victim compensation and plan for safety. Serena Evans, policy director for the Nevada Coalition to End Domestic and Sexual Violence, said, “We support any measure to reduce barriers and hurdles for victim survivors.” Leslie Pittman of the Domestic Violence Resource Center and Jonathan Norman of the Nevada Coalition of Legal Service Providers also testified in support, noting reports are frequently needed to end leases, obtain workplace leave and assist attorneys and advocates in case preparation.
The bill text presented to the committee states that law enforcement shall provide a police report to a victim upon written request within 30 days and applies to domestic-violence incidents “regardless of whether that report has been closed by that law enforcement agency.” Liz Ortenberger, CEO of SafeNest, suggested a practical step: adding an email address to the blue card that officers leave after incidents so survivors can request reports more easily.
Opponents raised concerns about pretrial fairness. Paloma Guerrero of the Clark County Public Defender’s Office described a “soft opposition,” saying the office is concerned about witnesses reading other statements or officers’ conclusions before testifying: “We don't want their testimony to be tainted or influenced by outside sources.” Guerrero told the committee she has discussed redaction practices with the bill sponsor and said properly redacting reports before release might allay the office’s concerns.
Committee members asked about the mechanics of requesting records and whether survivors who are not connected to providers would know how to request reports. Koenig and Horn said community providers such as SafeNest often help survivors make requests but that the sponsors are open to simplifying the written-request process.
Maximillian Lowe, vice chair of the Nevada Governor’s Council on Developmental Disabilities, testified in neutral and asked whether reporting from service providers and licensing or quality-assurance agencies (for example, Adult Protective Services or program licensing investigations) could be included in requests; he described an ongoing investigation and asked the committee to consider how those administrative reports might be accessed for victims’ needs.
No committee vote was taken. Koenig said sponsors would meet with stakeholders and consider amendments addressing concerns raised during testimony.
The committee proceeded to other agenda items.
