Bill > HF649

This bill amends Iowa's human trafficking laws to expand definitions and increase penalties related to soliciting sexual services. Specifically, the bill broadens the definition of "human trafficking" to include attempting to purchase sexual services from a law enforcement officer posing as a person involved in trafficking. The definition of "services" is modified to remove language about an ongoing relationship and instead focus on performing activities under an actor's supervision. The bill also significantly expands the definition of "victim" to include not just people subjected to human trafficking, but also those identified as targets of trafficking and law enforcement officers posing as trafficking victims. Additionally, the bill strengthens penalties for soliciting sexual services from minors by explicitly including scenarios where a person attempts to purchase services from someone they reasonably believe to be under 18, even if that person is actually a law enforcement officer posing as a minor. These changes aim to provide law enforcement with more tools to investigate and prosecute human trafficking and related sexual crimes by creating broader legal definitions and clearer pathways for prosecution.

Justice

Judiciary (H)

https://www.legis.iowa.gov/legislation/BillBook?ga=91&ba=HF649