Bill
Bill > HF17
summary
Introduced
01/14/2025
01/14/2025
In Committee
01/14/2025
01/14/2025
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
Introduced Session
91st General Assembly
Bill Summary
This bill relates to surgical castration for certain sex offenses. The bill provides that in addition to any other punishment provided by law, a person who has been convicted of a serious sex offense occurring on or after the effective date of the bill, in which the victim was under the age of 12 at the time of the offense, may be ordered by the court to undergo surgical castration as part of any conditions of release imposed by the court or the board of parole. If a person is placed on probation and is not in confinement at the time of sentencing, the presentence investigation shall include a plan for surgical castration to be performed as soon as is reasonably possible. If the person is in confinement prior to release on probation or parole, surgical castration shall be performed not later than one week prior to the defendant’s release from confinement. An order of the court requiring a person to undergo surgical castration shall be contingent upon a determination by a court-appointed medical expert that the defendant is an appropriate candidate for the procedure and that the procedure is medically appropriate. The bill refers to the definition of “serious sex offense” in Code section 903B.10(3) which provides that a “serious sex offense” means any of the following offenses in which the victim was a child who was, at the time the offense was committed, 12 years of age or younger: sexual abuse in the first degree, in violation of Code section 709.2; sexual abuse in the second degree, in violation of Code section 709.3; sexual abuse in the third degree, in violation of Code section 709.4; lascivious acts with a child, in violation of Code section 709.8; assault with intent, in violation of Code section 709.11; indecent contact with a minor, in violation of Code section 709.12; lascivious conduct with a minor, in violation of Code section 709.14; sexual exploitation, in violation of Code section 709.15; sexual exploitation of a minor, in violation of Code section 728.12(1) and (2); and continuous sexual abuse of a child, in violation of Code section 709.23.
AI Summary
This bill proposes a controversial legal measure allowing courts to mandate surgical castration for individuals convicted of serious sex offenses involving victims under 12 years old. Specifically, the bill permits courts or parole boards to order surgical castration as part of an offender's release conditions, but only after a court-appointed medical expert determines the procedure is medically appropriate and the individual is a suitable candidate. If an offender is placed on probation, a surgical castration plan must be included in the presentence investigation, with the procedure to be performed either as soon as possible after sentencing or, if the offender is in confinement, within one week of their release. The bill provides an alternative for offenders who voluntarily undergo a permanent surgical alternative approved by the court or parole board. Notably, the bill defines "serious sex offenses" broadly, including various forms of sexual abuse, assault, and exploitation of minors, and takes effect immediately upon enactment. The legislation represents an extreme approach to addressing sexual crimes against children, raising significant ethical and medical concerns about mandatory surgical intervention.
Committee Categories
Justice
Sponsors (1)
Last Action
Tabled until future meeting. (on 01/28/2025)
Official Document
bill text
bill summary
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bill summary
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bill summary
| Document Type | Source Location |
|---|---|
| State Bill Page | https://www.legis.iowa.gov/legislation/BillBook?ga=91&ba=HF17 |
| BillText | https://www.legis.iowa.gov/docs/publications/LGI/91/attachments/HF17.html |
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