HF 2574 increases penalties for public employees and officials who steal money from public employers. It mandates prison time for anyone who takes over $10,000 from a public employer (like state agencies, schools, or local governments) while working as a public employee or official, including contractors or vendors. Courts cannot delay sentencing or suspend prison terms in these cases unless the defendant proves, with strong evidence, that special circumstances justify an exception. The bill defines "public employer" broadly to cover state and local government entities, and "public official" as defined in Iowa law. This change directly affects public sector workers who commit theft exceeding $10,000.
HF 2515 modifies Iowa's sentencing rules for individuals convicted of violating Section 728.12, which prohibits sexual exploitation of minors. The bill specifically removes the option for deferred or suspended sentences in these cases, requiring offenders to serve actual prison time instead of having sentences postponed or reduced. This change directly affects anyone found guilty under Section 728.12, mandating immediate incarceration for this specific offense. The bill passed unanimously in the Iowa House on March 4, 2026, and now awaits action in the Senate.
HF 2658 prohibits "street takeovers" - events involving motor vehicles violating reckless driving (Code 321.277), careless driving (321.277A), or drag racing (321.278) laws, with at least three vehicles or spectators present. It imposes escalating penalties: a first-time participant faces a $500 fine and license revocation, a second violation brings a $2,500 fine (up to 1 year jail), and a third violation is a class "D" felony ($3,500 fine, up to 5 years jail). The bill also bans organizing (serious misdemeanor) or spectating (simple misdemeanor, $400 fine) street takeovers, and requires impounding vehicles used in such events for 30 days. These provisions directly affect drivers, organizers, and spectators involved in street racing or similar events.
HF 2624 expands DNA collection requirements in Iowa by mandating that individuals arrested for a felony or aggravated misdemeanor must submit a DNA sample, in addition to those already required to provide samples upon conviction or deferred judgment. This applies to anyone arrested for these offenses, including those later found not guilty or having charges dismissed. The bill also requires probationers to report if they have pending or resolved offenses requiring DNA submission, and establishes automatic expungement of DNA records within 30 days if a conviction is overturned, charges are dismissed, or no felony/misdemeanor charge is filed within one year of arrest. It clarifies that DNA samples are not required if a valid sample already exists in the state DNA database and hasn't been expunged.
This bill increases penalties for assaults against public utility employees or contractors while they're performing job duties, such as during service calls or maintenance. It classifies certain assaults as a class C felony (if the attacker knew the victim was a utility worker and intended serious harm), a class D felony (if injury occurs), or an aggravated misdemeanor (including acts like spitting), with a mandatory minimum 7-day jail term for the misdemeanor level. The law specifically expands existing protections for essential workers - like police, firefighters, and healthcare staff - to cover public utility workers during work. It applies to assaults committed with knowledge of the victim's occupation, aiming to deter violence against these frontline workers.
This bill changes Iowa's licensing rules for private investigators and security agents. It requires applicants to have no felony or serious misdemeanor convictions within the past ten years (instead of a lifetime ban under current law) to obtain or renew a license. The policy directly affects individuals and agencies seeking to work in these security fields in Iowa. The change applies to all new license applications and renewals processed after the law takes effect.
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This bill requires Iowa law enforcement to obtain a court-approved warrant before using reverse-location data (like cell tower records or geofences around crime scenes) to investigate violent crimes. It mandates that all collected location data be anonymized before sharing with police, and requires detailed maps and clear notices explaining how the search may affect innocent people. The law applies only when an investigation involves a violent felony and presents an imminent threat to public safety. It directly affects law enforcement agencies, data providers (like phone companies), and individuals whose location data might be collected during such searches.
HF 2316 amends Iowa law to define an "unborn child" as an individual organism from fertilization to fetal death or live birth, treating them as legal persons for specific purposes. It expands wrongful death damages to include the death of an unborn child, and creates new criminal provisions making homicide and assault against an unborn child subject to the same legal protections as crimes against born persons. The bill explicitly excludes unintentional harm or death resulting from life-saving medical procedures for the pregnant woman or miscarriages. This law applies only to incidents occurring on or after its effective date.
SF 2379 strengthens protections for crime victims by establishing strict confidentiality for communications between victims and certified victim counselors, prohibiting disclosure without written consent or in cases of imminent danger. It allows courts to issue lifetime protective orders for victims of sexual offenses, removing previous one-year limits and enabling unlimited extensions based on ongoing safety concerns. The bill also clarifies that confidentiality does not apply to evidence chain-of-custody matters or if a counselor suspects a victim provided false testimony. These changes directly affect victims of sexual assault, domestic violence, and other crimes who use victim services or seek protective orders.
This bill redefines Iowa's habitual offender law by creating a point system for certain crimes. Level one offenses (like serious felonies and specific violent misdemeanors) earn one point each, while less severe misdemeanors earn half points. If a person accumulates three or more points from prior convictions, they become a habitual offender. The law requires them to serve a minimum of 20 years before becoming eligible for parole or work release, unless their current crime carries a higher mandatory minimum sentence.
