Criminal Justice (Drug Policy)

introduced · Iowa · Legislature

5521DP: Controlled Substances (5521DP) - Inspections, Appeals, and Licensing, Department of

This bill adds 15 specific synthetic drugs - including fentanyl analogs like "Butonitazene," "Flunitazene," and "para-chlorofentanyl," plus compounds like "dipentylone" and "ethylphenidate" - to Iowa's controlled substances schedule under Section 124.204. It updates Iowa's law to align with federal designations in Title 21 of the Code of Federal Regulations. Violating these new schedule classifications carries penalties: class B felony (25-year mandatory minimum + $5,000-$100,000 fine), class C felony (up to 10 years + $1,000-$50,000), or aggravated misdemeanor (up to 2 years + $855-$8,540). The bill takes effect immediately upon enactment.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeAdds synthetic drugs to controlled substances schedule with 25-year mandatory minimums, expanding criminalization and harsh sentencing per bill's penalties95% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy Sentencing

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died · Iowa · House Mar 31, 2025

HF 365: A bill for an act establishing a cause of action for murder in the first degree by causing the death of another by delivering, dispensing, or providing fentanyl or a fentanyl-related substance, and making penalties applicable.

HF 365 would create a new criminal charge of murder in the first degree for anyone who unlawfully delivers, dispenses, or provides fentanyl or fentanyl-related substances that directly causes another person's death through injection, inhalation, absorption, or ingestion. This law would apply specifically to individuals who distribute these drugs, making the act a class "A" felony punishable by life imprisonment without parole. The bill explicitly states that a victim's own drug use or consent cannot be used as a defense against this charge. It does not affect users or those who possess fentanyl for personal use, only those who supply it to others resulting in death.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeCreates first-degree murder charge for fentanyl distribution with life without parole, increasing mandatory sentences and expanding criminalization in drug-related deaths.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy Probation & Parole

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in committee · Iowa · House Mar 4, 2025

HSB 280: A bill for an act relating to weapons, including eligibility-to-carry requirements and terms used, and making penalties applicable.

This bill amends Iowa's weapons laws to clarify eligibility requirements and enforcement. It creates a new ineligibility category (Section 724.8B) for individuals with certain arrests, controlled substance offenses, or ongoing criminal proceedings, prohibiting them from carrying firearms. Key provisions include allowing permit suspensions when applicants are arrested for disqualifying offenses (with automatic reinstatement if no conviction occurs), banning firearm transfers to ineligible persons or intoxicated individuals, and simplifying permit applications to require only basic personal information. Permits to acquire pistols/revolvers are now valid statewide for three days after application (Section 724.20), and applicants must provide basic identification without social security numbers (Section 724.19).

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeExpands criminalization by creating new firearm restrictions for arrests, drug offenses, and pending cases (without conviction), restricting rights and increasing regulatory scope.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy Firearms

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introduced · Iowa · Legislature

1405DP: Controlled Substances (1405DP) - Inspections, Appeals, and Licensing, Department of

This Iowa bill (1405DP) adds 30+ specific synthetic drugs to the state's controlled substances list, primarily targeting new fentanyl analogs (like alpha'-Methyl butyryl fentanyl and 2',5'-Dimethoxyfentanyl) and synthetic cannabinoids (such as MMB-FUBICA and ADB-BUTINACA). It directly affects anyone manufacturing, distributing, possessing, or using these newly listed substances within Iowa, making such activities illegal without a prescription. The bill achieves this by explicitly naming each chemical compound and its common aliases in the state's drug scheduling code. This update aims to address emerging synthetic drugs that evade existing laws through minor chemical modifications.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeAdds synthetic drugs to controlled substances list, expanding criminalization and increasing penalties for possession/distribution without reform language.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy

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in committee · Iowa · Senate Jan 29, 2025

SF 32: A bill for an act relating to sexual exploitation of a minor, and making penalties applicable.

This bill (SF 32) changes how Iowa prosecutes possession or purchase of visual depictions involving minors in prohibited sexual acts. It requires that multiple images of the *same* minor be treated as separate offenses (previously counted as one), directly affecting individuals convicted of such possession. Key provisions clarify that each depiction of the same minor constitutes a distinct violation under Code section 728.12(3), increasing potential charges for repeat offenses. Penalties include class D felony (up to 5 years, $10,245 fine) for first offenses and class C felony (up to 10 years, $13,660 fine) for subsequent offenses, with mandatory sex offender registration.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeIncreases charges by treating each image as separate offense, expanding criminalization and harsher penalties under sentencing provisions.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy

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in committee · Iowa · House Jan 30, 2025

HF 55: A bill for an act relating to mandatory minimum sentences relating to the control, possession, receipt, or transportation of a firearm or offensive weapon by a felon and providing penalties.

HF 55 mandates minimum prison sentences for individuals convicted of felonies who possess, receive, or transport firearms or offensive weapons. It sets specific penalties: a first offense requires a minimum two-year prison term (class D felony), a second offense a minimum four years, a third offense a minimum seven years (class C felony), and fourth or subsequent offenses a mandatory ten-year minimum. The bill prohibits courts from delaying sentencing or suspending these mandatory minimums for any violation. This directly affects felons convicted in state or federal courts who knowingly handle firearms or weapons.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeMandates strict minimum sentences for felons with firearms, eliminating judicial discretion - aligns with 'oppose' indicators of increased sentencing and reduced defendant rights.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy Firearms Sentencing

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in committee · Iowa · Senate Feb 20, 2025

SF 328: A bill for an act relating to controlled substances, including certain controlled substances schedules and precursor substances reporting requirements, making penalties applicable, and including effective date provisions.

This bill adds dozens of specific synthetic drugs to Iowa's list of prohibited controlled substances, primarily targeting dangerous fentanyl variants and synthetic steroids. It directly affects manufacturers, distributors, and possessors of these newly classified substances by making their possession or distribution illegal under state law. Key provisions include adding precise chemical names (like "alpha'-Methyl butyryl fentanyl" and "ADB-BUTINACA") and their street aliases to the state's controlled substance schedules. The bill also updates reporting requirements for precursor chemicals and establishes penalties for violations, effective upon enactment.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeExpands criminalization by adding synthetic drugs to prohibited list, increasing felony/misdemeanor charges without reform measures95% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy

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signed · Iowa · Senate Jun 11, 2025

SF 462: A bill for an act relating to weapons, including mandatory minimum sentences relating to the control, possession, receipt, or transportation of a firearm or offensive weapon by a felon, and the sharing of identifying information of persons prohibited from acquiring a pistol or revolver by court order, and providing penalties.

SF 462 strengthens firearm restrictions for convicted felons by mandating minimum prison sentences for possessing, receiving, or transporting firearms or offensive weapons. It directly affects individuals convicted of felonies who are prohibited from owning guns under state law. The bill requires courts to share identifying information about these prohibited individuals with law enforcement to prevent gun sales. Additionally, it establishes penalties for violations, focusing on reducing firearm access by high-risk individuals.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeMandates minimum sentences for felon firearm possession, expanding criminalization and reducing judicial discretion per 'oppose' indicators.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy Firearms Sentencing

in committee · Iowa · Senate Jan 15, 2026

SF 105: A bill for an act relating to mandatory minimum sentences relating to the control, possession, receipt, or transportation of a firearm or offensive weapon by a felon and providing penalties.

SF 105 imposes mandatory minimum prison sentences for individuals convicted of felonies (or adjudicated delinquent for felony-level conduct) who possess, receive, transport, or control a firearm or offensive weapon. For a first offense, it mandates a minimum two-year prison term for a class D felony; second offenses require a minimum four years; third offenses become class C felonies with a seven-year minimum; and fourth or subsequent offenses require a ten-year minimum. The bill requires courts to sentence offenders to these minimum terms without the option to defer sentencing or suspend the prison time. This directly affects convicted felons who handle firearms or weapons, increasing penalties for repeat offenses.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeMandates harsh mandatory minimum sentences for felons possessing firearms, increasing penalties and expanding criminalization per bill's sentencing requirements.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy Firearms Sentencing

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introduced · Iowa · Legislature

5393XD: Scheduling of Kratom as a Controlled Substance (5393XD) - Public Safety, Department of

This Iowa bill (5393XD) designates kratom as a Schedule I controlled substance, making possession illegal. It directly affects anyone in Iowa who possesses kratom products containing the alkaloids mitragynine or 7-hydroxymitragynine. The law creates tiered penalties: a first-time possession offense is a serious misdemeanor (up to 1 year in jail and a $430-$2,560 fine), subsequent offenses are aggravated misdemeanors (up to 2 years and $855-$8,540), and three or more prior convictions make it a class D felony (up to 5 years and $1,025-$10,245). The bill defines kratom broadly to include both natural plant products and synthetic versions containing these specific alkaloids.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeCriminalizes kratom possession with tiered penalties, expanding criminalization and increasing sentences, opposing criminal justice reform efforts.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy

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