A bill to establish fees for convicted predators’ digital evidence examinations has advanced to the House floor.
The bill, introduced by Rapid City Republican Sen. Helene Duhamel, is framed to better fund the states Internet Crimes Against Children – or ICAC – task force.
“Cell phones and computers are increasingly advanced," Duhamel said. "Encryption is better and better. This is one of the biggest financial demands for law enforcement moving forward. We’re asking for a digital evidence examination fee paid for by the convicted person.”
This fee is like fees charged to those convicted of a DUI or drug charge. Duhamel, who works for the Pennington County Sheriff’s Department in the legislative offseason, estimated this could provide $250,000 of additional funds in its first year.
Brent Gromer, former commander of the state ICAC division, explained how this funding would be used.
“The ICAC Unit was completely funded on the back of federal grants, and that just is not sustainable," Gromer said. "Currently today, to fully train and outfit a digital evidence examiner would cost roughly $200,000 a year once you bought the hardware, software and training needed.”
That means if passed, the state could afford at least one additional examiner for these cases yearly with money left over.