Read the full stored bill text
STATE OF IOWA
KIM REYNOLDS
GOVERNOR
April 09, 2026
The Honorable Paul Pate
Secretary of State of Iowa
State Capitol
Des Moines, Iowa 50319
Dear Mr. Secretary,
I hereby transmit:
House File 2571, an Act relating to the Iowa niles of criminal procedure including
commitment hearings following an acquittal based on insanity.
The above House File is hereby approved on this date.
Kim Reynold s\J
Governor of Iowa
cc: Secretary of the Senate
Clerk of the House
STATE CAPITOL DES MOINES, IOWA 50319 515.281.5211 WWW.GOVERNOR.IOWA.GOV
ihsueifjieoxi
0^ /E PRIZE^m
c-®
^urrightsK
jVILL MA1NTAÎX limillHHIHHHIimUHKfHIIHHHI TTjnnnrnn inn;
WHtHH innnniii
House File 2571
AN ACT
RELATING TO THE IOWA RULES OF CRIMINAL PROCEDURE INCLUDING
COMMITMENT HEARINGS FOLLOWING AN ACQUITTAL BASED ON
INSANITY.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF IOWA:
Section 1. SUPREME COURT — RULES OF CRIMINAL PROCEDURE
REVISIONS.
1. Iowa rule of criminal procedure 2.22(8) (e) shall be
amended to add subparagraph (4), to provide:
(4) Absence of recent overt acts of dangerousness shall not
be the sole determining factor in assessing whether a defendant
poses a risk to themselves or others, particularly when such
absence may be attributable to the constraints of a highly
structured environment. When determining whether a defendant
is currently dangerous to themselves or others under this rule,
the court shall consider a variety of factors, including but
not limited to:
House File 2571, p. 2
(a) Original offense. The nature and circumstances of the
original charge or offense leading to the defendant's insanity
acquittal .
(b) Behavioral history. The defendant's past conduct,
including prior violent or dangerous acts, irrespective of the
presence or absence of recent overt acts.
(c) Psychiatric history and current mental status.
The defendant's current psychiatric condition, history of
treatment, adherence to treatment, and responsiveness to
interventions .
(d) Substance use disorder history. The defendant's
history of substance use and its impact on their behavior,
including prior diagnoses of substance use disorder, the
relationship between substance use and prior violent or
dangerous conduct, the likelihood of relapse and its potential
to increase dangerousness, and the defendant's access to and
willingness to engage in substance use treatment programs to
maintain safety.
(e) Institutional behavior and independent functioning.
The defendant's ability and willingness to engage in social,
recreational, educational, occupational, or vocational
activities; maintain self-care; demonstrate stability,
adaptability, and reduced risk of dangerousness in less
structured environments; seek and utilize support systems;
and comply with rules and interact appropriately within a
structured environment, including any incidents indicating
underlying dangerousness.
(f) Environmental influence. The extent to which a highly
structured setting, such as a hospital or secured facility,
may suppress behaviors that are likely to manifest in less
controlled or structured conditions.
(g) Expert testimony and risk assessment reports.
Evaluations and risk assessments provided by qualified mental
health professionals regarding the defendant's potential
danger to themself or others. This includes consideration of
validated risk assessment tools and methodologies, including
any limitations in assessing an individual confined to a
structured setting.
House File 2571, p. 3
2. The revised rules of criminal procedure shall be
submitted for legislative council review no later than October
14
PAT
Speaker of the House
6Z.X.A, AMY SINCLAIR
President of the Senate
I hereby certify that this bill originated in the House and
is known as House File 2571, Ninety-first General Assembly.
MEGHAN NELSON
Cnlef gLerk vt the House
Approved ^<2Q 26
KIM R^N^gDS I
Governor