House File 705 would fund nonprofit sexual assault forensic exam centers, aiming to improve care and evidence collection for survivors.
Iowa lawmakers advance bill to support sexual assault survivors
House File 705 would fund nonprofit sexual assault forensic exam centers, aiming to improve care and evidence collection for survivors.
COMPLAINT. HE’S SCHEDULED TO APPEAR IN COURT ON APRIL 17TH, LESS THAN TWO WEEKS REMAIN IN THE LEGISLATIVE SESSION HERE IN IOWA AS WE TAKE A LIVE LOOK FROM THE STATEHOUSE IN DOWNTOWN DES MOINES TODAY, A BILL TO EXPAND SERVICES FOR SEXUAL ASSAULT SURVIVORS IS MOVING FORWARD. HOUSE FILE 705 WOULD CREATE A GRANT PROGRAM TO SUPPORT NONPROFIT SEXUAL ASSAULT FORENSIC EXAM CENTERS ACROSS IOWA. SUPPORTERS SAY THE FUNDING WOULD HELP ENSURE VICTIMS HAVE ACCESS TO SPECIALIZED CARE AND EVIDENCE COLLECTION SERVICES. WHEN TYPICALLY OUR VICTIMS DON’T FEEL SEEN, THEY DON’T FEEL HEARD AND THEY DON’T FEEL RELIEVED TO JUST KNOW THAT TO MAKE IT THIS FAR, THE COMMUNITY DOES SEE THEM AND HEAR THEM. AND YOU KNOW, WE NEED YOUR HELP TO GET STARTED SO THAT WE CAN ENSURE THAT THOSE SERVICES ARE DELIVERABLE. YOU KNOW, WE CAN BUILD IT, BUT WE NEED WE NEED TO KEEP ACCESS OPEN AND AVAILABLE TO THEM BY BEING ABLE TO PROVIDE THAT. SO AND THE BILL PASSED
Iowa lawmakers advance bill to support sexual assault survivors
House File 705 would fund nonprofit sexual assault forensic exam centers, aiming to improve care and evidence collection for survivors.
Updated: 9:29 PM CDT Apr 8, 2026
Editorial Standards ⓘ
Iowa lawmakers are advancing House File 705, a bill that would create a grant program to support nonprofit sexual assault forensic exam centers across the state. The bill passed a House subcommittee today and now heads to a full committee for further debate and a vote. It would require the attorney general’s office to contract with an Iowa-based nonprofit specializing in caring for survivors of sexual abuse or assault. Shannon Knudsen, who founded the S.A.F.E. Center of Iowa, says the funding would help ensure victims have access to specialized care and evidence collection services. “We need your help to get started so that we can ensure that those services are deliverable,” Knudsen said to lawmakers. “We can build it, but we need to keep access open and available to them.” Because this bill was filed under Appropriations, it did not have to pass by specific deadlines to stay active. The current session is set to end on April 21, which is when per diem ends for lawmakers. A statewide budget has to be passed by both chambers before lawmakers gavel out.
DES MOINES, Iowa —
Iowa lawmakers are advancing House File 705, a bill that would create a grant program to support nonprofit sexual assault forensic exam centers across the state.
The bill passed a House subcommittee today and now heads to a full committee for further debate and a vote. It would require the attorney general’s office to contract with an Iowa-based nonprofit specializing in caring for survivors of sexual abuse or assault.
Shannon Knudsen, who founded the S.A.F.E. Center of Iowa, says the funding would help ensure victims have access to specialized care and evidence collection services.
“We need your help to get started so that we can ensure that those services are deliverable,” Knudsen said to lawmakers. “We can build it, but we need to keep access open and available to them.”
Because this bill was filed under Appropriations, it did not have to pass by specific deadlines to stay active. The current session is set to end on April 21, which is when per diem ends for lawmakers. A statewide budget has to be passed by both chambers before lawmakers gavel out.
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