Opinion ID: 2785969
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 5

Heading: Relevant Statutory Overview of Chapter 229A.

Text: The purpose of chapter 229A is to provide long-term care and treatment of sexually violent predators. Iowa Code § 229A.1. The Code defines a “sexually violent predator” as a person who has been convicted of or charged with a sexually violent offense and who suffers from a mental abnormality which makes the person likely to engage in predatory acts constituting sexually violent offenses, if not confined in a secure facility. Id. § 229A.2(11). The Code states a “mental abnormality” is “a congenital or acquired condition affecting the emotional or volitional capacity of a person and predisposing that person to commit sexually violent offenses to a degree which would constitute a menace to the health and safety of others.” Id. § 229A.2(5). The Code provides a person “likely to engage in predatory acts of sexual violence” means that the person more likely than not will engage in acts of a sexually violent nature. If a person is not confined at the time that a petition is filed, a person is “likely to engage in predatory acts of sexual violence” only if the person commits a recent overt act. Id. § 229A.2(4). To be committed to CCUSO, a judge or jury must determine beyond a reasonable doubt that the person is a sexually violent predator. 7 Id. § 229A.7(5). While at CCUSO, there is a rebuttable presumption the civil commitment should continue. Id. § 229A.8(1). The committed person is entitled to an annual examination. Id. § 229A.8(2). The report of the examination is forwarded to the district court to conduct an annual review. Id. § 229A.8(3). The committed person may petition the court for discharge at the time of the annual review. Id. § 229A.8(4). To receive a hearing, [t]he burden is on the committed person to prove by a preponderance of the evidence that there is relevant and reliable evidence to rebut the presumption of continued commitment, which would lead a reasonable person to believe a final hearing should be held to determine either of the following: (a) The mental abnormality of the committed person has so changed that the person is not likely to engage in predatory acts constituting sexually violent offenses if discharged. (b) The committed person is suitable for placement in a transitional release program pursuant to section 229A.8A. Id. § 229A.8(5)(e)(1). If the committed person can meet this burden, the court then sets the matter for a final hearing. Id. § 229A.8(5)(e)(2). At the final hearing, the State must prove beyond a reasonable doubt “[t]he committed person’s mental abnormality remains such that the person is likely to engage in predatory acts that constitute sexually violent offenses if discharged.” Id. § 229A.8(6)(d)(1). If the State fails to meet its burden, the court may order the committed person released with or without supervision if . . . [t]he court or jury has determined that the person should be discharged from the program, but the court has determined it is in the best interest of the community to order release with or without supervision before the committed person is discharged. 8 Id. § 229A.9A(1)(b). If the committed person’s release is with or without supervision, DHS shall prepare a release plan. Id. § 229A.9A(2). The court must then hold a hearing on the release plan. Id. § 229A.9A(3). If the court approves the plan and orders release with supervision, an agency familiar with the placement of criminal offenders in the community provides the supervision. Id. § 229A.9A(4). “A committed person released with or without supervision is not considered discharged from civil commitment under this chapter.” Id. § 229A.9A(6).