321J.24 Court-ordered visitation for offenders — immunity from liability.

1. As used in this section, unless the context otherwise requires:

a. “Appropriate victim” means a victim whose condition demonstrates the results of a motor vehicle accident involving intoxicated drivers without being excessively traumatic to the participant, as determined by the tour supervisor.

b. “Participant” means a person who is ordered by the court to participate in the reality education substance abuse prevention program.

c. “Program” means the reality education substance abuse prevention program.

d. “Program coordinator” means a person appointed by the court to coordinate the person’s participation in the program.

e. “Tour supervisor” means a person selected by a participant’s program coordinator to supervise a tour.

2. A reality education substance abuse prevention program is established in those judicial districts where the chief judge of the judicial district authorizes participation in the program. Upon a conviction or adjudication for a violation of section 321J.2, or the entry of a deferred judgment concerning a violation of section 321J.2, the court or juvenile court may order participation in the reality education substance abuse prevention program as a term and condition of probation or disposition in addition to any other term or condition of probation or disposition required or authorized by law. The court or juvenile court shall require the defendant or delinquent child to abstain from consuming any controlled substance, alcoholic liquor, wine, or beer while participating in the program.

3. The court or juvenile court shall consult with the defendant or delinquent child and the defendant’s or delinquent child’s attorney, if any, and may consult with any other person, including but not limited to the defendant’s or delinquent child’s parents or other family members, to determine if the defendant or delinquent child is suitable for participation in the program, if the program will be educational and meaningful to the defendant or delinquent child, and if any physical, emotional, mental, or other reasons exist which indicate that the program would be inappropriate or would cause any injury to the defendant or delinquent child.

4. The court or juvenile court may appoint a program coordinator, to coordinate all tours and select appropriate tour supervisors for each tour. The program coordinator shall monitor compliance by contacting each tour supervisor following the completion of a tour.

5. a. The court or juvenile court may include a requirement for a supervised educational tour by the defendant or delinquent child to any or all of the following:

(1) A hospital or other emergency medical care facility which regularly receives victims of motor vehicle accidents, to observe treatment of appropriate victims of motor vehicle accidents involving intoxicated drivers, under the supervision of a registered nurse, physician, paramedic, or emergency medical technician.

(2) A facility for the treatment of persons with substance-related disorders as defined in section 125.2, under the supervision of appropriately licensed medical personnel.

(3) If approved by the state or county medical examiner, a morgue or a similar facility to receive appropriate educational material and instruction concerning damage caused by the consumption of alcohol or other drugs, under the supervision of the county medical examiner or deputy medical examiner.

b. However, the court or juvenile court shall not order the defendant or delinquent child to participate in a supervised education tour of a hospital or other facility specified in this subsection, unless the hospital or facility agrees to participate in the program.

6. Prior to a tour, the program coordinator shall explain and discuss the experiences which may be encountered during the tour to the participant. If the program coordinator determines at any time before or during a tour that the tour may be traumatic or otherwise inappropriate for the participant, the program coordinator shall terminate the tour without prejudice to the participant.

7. The court or juvenile court may order a personal conference after the tours with the participant, the participant’s attorney, if any, and any other persons if available and deemed necessary by the court or juvenile court, to discuss the experiences of the participant in the program and how those experiences may impact the participant’s conduct. The court or juvenile court may order the participant to write a report or letter concerning the participant’s experiences in the program.

8. Tour supervisors and facilities toured during the program are not liable for any civil damages resulting from injury to the participant, or civil damages caused by the participant during or from any activities related to a tour, except for willful or grossly negligent acts intended to, or reasonably expected to result in, such injury or damage.

9. The chief judge of the judicial district shall determine fees to be paid by participants in the program. The judicial branch shall use the fees to pay all costs associated with the program. The court shall either require the participant to pay the fee in order to participate in the program, or may waive the fee or collect a lesser amount upon a showing of cause.

92 Acts, ch 1231, §46; 97 Acts, ch 177, §23, 24; 98 Acts, ch 1047, §29; 2010 Acts, ch 1061, §180; 2013 Acts, ch 90, §86

Referred to in §321J.2, 707.6A