Criminal Justice

SB 2297 extends the statute of limitations for prosecuting second-degree sexual assault from the standard 3 years to 10 years. This change directly affects victims and prosecutors in second-degree sexual assault cases, allowing charges to be filed up to a decade after the alleged incident. The bill amends existing law to explicitly list second-degree sexual assault under offenses with a 10-year prosecution window, alongside other serious crimes like homicide and rape. It does not change the definition of the crime but adjusts the time limit for legal action. The bill would take effect upon passage.

HB 7289 prohibits law enforcement from seizing property under controlled substances laws without first obtaining a criminal conviction. This directly affects property owners who might otherwise face asset forfeiture before a court finds them guilty of a crime. The bill modifies existing forfeiture procedures by requiring a criminal conviction before civil forfeiture can proceed, with limited exceptions for vehicles used by common carriers. It changes the process so that assets cannot be taken through civil means until after a criminal case concludes.