Criminal Justice

This bill creates a standardized process to determine eligibility for advanced DNA testing in unsolved cold cases. It directly affects law enforcement agencies handling unresolved crimes and potentially individuals wrongfully convicted in long-pending cases. The key provision establishes clear criteria for when DNA evidence can be retested using modern technology, replacing inconsistent past practices. This changes how cold case investigations are conducted by requiring law enforcement to follow specific, defined steps to request testing.

Requires the department of correction to electronically notify, at least seven days in advance, the: (1) county sheriff; (2) prosecuting attorney; and (3) chief of police; of the county or municipality into which the department will release a serious violent felon, including a juvenile adjudicated for an act that would be a serious violent felony, and of the county or municipality where the serious violent felon or juvenile committed the offense. Requires the department of correction to notify a registered victim through the department's automated victim notification system. Requires: (1) a court; and (2) the prosecuting attorney or the prosecuting attorney's victim assistance program; to notify a victim of the automated victim assistance notification program, and provides that a victim has the right to be informed, upon request, about the progress of the criminal case involving the victim. Requires that, before hiring a person as a law enforcement officer, a law enforcement hiring department or agency shall request from prior law enforcement employers all documents relating to disciplinary action or internal investigations that involve the person. (Under current law, a hiring agency must request all findings and orders).

Specifies that county residency requirements do not apply to: (1) public defenders (except for the chief public defender); (2) employees of a public defender office; (3) judicial officers; or (4) court personnel.

Provides that a person who knowingly or intentionally violates a specified provision by commingling the funds of a committee with the personal funds of an officer, a member, or an associate of the committee commits a Class A misdemeanor. Enhances the penalty to a Level 6 felony if a person commingles at least $50,000 of committee funds.