Iowa Code § 216A.133 — IA Code / Title VI / Chapter 216A / Section 216A.133
Department duties.
Status: in_force

(1) The department shall do all of the following:

(1) (a) Develop short-term and long-term goals to improve the criminal and juvenile justice systems.

(1) (b) Identify and analyze justice system issues, including the impact of present criminal and juvenile justice policy, and make recommendations for policy change.

(1) (c) Develop and assist others in implementing recommendations and plans for justice system improvement.

(1) (d) Provide the general assembly with an analysis of current and proposed criminal code provisions.

(1) (e) Provide for a clearinghouse of justice system information to coordinate with data resource agencies and assist others in the use of justice system data.

(1) (f) Coordinate with data resource agencies to provide data and analytical information to federal, state, and local governments, and assist agencies in the use of criminal and juvenile justice data.

(1) (g) Report criminal justice system needs to the governor, the general assembly, and other decision makers to improve the criminal justice system.

(1) (h) Report juvenile justice system needs to the governor, the general assembly, and other decision makers to address issues specifically affecting the juvenile justice system, including evidence-based programs for group foster care placements and the state training school, diversion, and community-based services for juvenile offenders.

(1) (i) Provide technical assistance upon request to state and local agencies.

(1) (j) Administer federal funds and funds appropriated by the state or that are otherwise available in compliance with applicable laws, regulations, and other requirements for purposes of study, research, investigation, planning, and implementation in the areas of criminal and juvenile justice.

(1) (k) Make grants to cities, counties, and other entities pursuant to applicable law.

(1) (l) Maintain an Iowa correctional policy project as provided in section 216A.137.

(1) (m) Provide input and make recommendations to the director including in the development of a budget for the department.

(1) (n) Share information and gather constituency input.

(1) (o) Recommend legislative and executive action to the governor and general assembly.

(1) (p) Establish advisory committees, work groups, or other coalitions as appropriate.

(1) (q) Provide the general assembly with an analysis and recommendations of current criminal code provisions and proposed legislation which include but are not limited to all of the following:

(1) (q) Potential disparity in sentencing.

(1) (q) Truth in sentencing.

(1) (q) Victims.

(1) (q) The proportionality of specific sentences.

(1) (q) Sentencing procedures.

(1) (q) Costs associated with the implementation of criminal code provisions, including costs to the judicial branch, department of corrections, and judicial district departments of correctional services, costs for representing indigent defendants, and costs incurred by political subdivisions of the state.

(1) (q) Best practices related to the department of corrections including recidivism rates, safety and the efficient use of correctional staff, and compliance with correctional standards set by the federal government and other jurisdictions.

(1) (q) Best practices related to the state mortality review committee established in section 135.43.

(1) (r) Study and make recommendations for treating and supervising adult and juvenile sex offenders in institutions, community-based programs, and in the community, in areas which include but are not limited to all of the following:

(1) (r) The effectiveness of electronically monitoring sex offenders.

(1) (r) The cost and effectiveness of special sentences pursuant to chapter 903B.

(1) (r) Risk assessment models created for sex offenders.

(1) (r) Determining the best treatment programs available for sex offenders and the efforts of Iowa and other states to implement treatment programs.

(1) (r) The efforts of Iowa and other states to prevent sex abuse-related crimes including child sex abuse.

(1) (r) Any other related issues the board deems necessary, including but not limited to computer and internet sex-related crimes, sex offender case management, best practices for sex offender supervision, the sex offender registry, and the effectiveness of safety zones.

(1) (s) Provide expertise and advice to the legislative services agency, the department of corrections, the judicial branch, and others charged with formulating fiscal, correctional, or minority impact statements.

(1) (t) Review data supplied by the department, the department of management, the legislative services agency, the Iowa supreme court, and other departments or agencies for the purpose of determining the effectiveness and efficiency of the collection of such data.

(2) The department shall submit reports, in accordance with section 216A.135, to the governor and general assembly regarding actions taken, issues studied, and council recommendations.

88 Acts, ch 1277, §16C89, §601K.13390 Acts, ch 1124, §3; 92 Acts, ch 1231, §47C93, §216A.1332010 Acts, ch 1031, §145, 146, 170; 2010 Acts, ch 1193, §153, 154; 2019 Acts, ch 89, §9; 2019 Acts, ch 156, §5; 2023 Acts, ch 19, §312, 313; 2024 Acts, ch 1170, §440