House Bill 1471 Summary

• Makes rape a nonsuspendible offense when the victim is less than 18 years of age, preventing courts from suspending sentences for such convictions.

• Requires the Department of Correction to determine in writing whether a sexually violent predator is a candidate for civil commitment not earlier than one year before their scheduled release from prison.

• Mandates the Department of Correction to request the prosecuting attorney in the county of conviction to institute civil commitment proceedings if a sexually violent predator is determined to be a civil commitment candidate, with civil commitment possible in any county.

• Permits courts in prosecutions for sex crimes or crimes of violence against children to admit video recordings of victim interviews conducted within six months of the offense for any relevant purpose, with court authority to redact inadmissible evidence.

• Effective July 1, 2011.