Plain English Breakdown
The official source states the bill was vetoed but notes that lawmakers might override this; the final legal status depends on whether an override occurred.
Review and Reinvestigation of Open Unsolved Homicides
This vetoed bill would require police agencies to review old unsolved murder or manslaughter cases if certain people ask for it, and order a new investigation only if the review finds useful leads.
What This Bill Does
- Requires law enforcement agencies to check case files when specific people submit written requests about open unsolved homicides.
- Defines an 'open unsolved homicide' as murder or manslaughter that happened after January 1, 1990, and at least three years before the request date.
- Mandates a reinvestigation only if the initial review shows it could produce useful investigative leads.
- Limits agencies to conducting just one reinvestigation for the same victim at any given time.
Who It Names or Affects
- Local law enforcement agencies responsible for investigating homicides.
- Certain persons who are allowed to submit written applications for case reviews.
- The Commission on State Mandates, which would determine if state reimbursement is needed for local costs.
Terms To Know
- Open unsolved homicide
- A murder or manslaughter that occurred after January 1, 1990, was investigated by police, has no identified suspect, and all previous leads have been exhausted.
- Probative investigative leads
- New information from a review that could help solve the case if investigators look into them again.
Limits and Unknowns
- The bill was vetoed by the governor, so it did not become law unless lawmakers later overrode the veto.
- The text does not list exactly which 'certain persons' are allowed to request a review of these cases.