Bill
Bill > HF748
summary
Introduced
03/05/2025
03/05/2025
In Committee
03/05/2025
03/05/2025
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
Introduced Session
91st General Assembly
Bill Summary
This bill relates to child endangerment. The bill provides that a person who commits child endangerment by willfully depriving any child or minor under the age of 18, whether the child or minor has a mental or physical disability or not, of necessary food, clothing, shelter, health care, or supervision appropriate to the child’s or minor’s age when the person is reasonably able to make the necessary provisions and which deprivation substantially harms the child’s or minor’s physical, mental, or emotional health is guilty of a class “C” felony. The bill provides that a person who commits child endangerment resulting in bodily injury to a child or minor; or who knowingly permits a child or minor to be present at a location where amphetamine, its salts, isomers, or salts of isomers, or methamphetamine, its salts, isomers, or salts of isomers, is manufactured, that does not result in serious injury; or who is required to register as a sex offender for a sex offense against a minor who knowingly has control of a minor, or who knowingly has unsupervised access to a minor, is guilty of a class “D” felony. The bill provides that a person who commits child endangerment not subject to penalty under subsection 5, 6, 7, or 8 of Code section 726.6 is guilty of an aggravated misdemeanor. An aggravated misdemeanor is punishable by confinement for no more than two years and a fine of at least $855 but not more than $8,540. A class “D” felony is punishable by confinement for no more than five years and a fine of at least $1,025 but not more than $10,245. A class “C” felony is punishable by confinement for no more than 10 years and a fine of at least $1,370 but not more than $13,660.
AI Summary
This bill modifies Iowa's child endangerment law by expanding and clarifying the definitions and penalties for child endangerment offenses. The legislation broadens the scope of child endangerment to include willful deprivation of necessary care for any child under 18, regardless of whether they have a mental or physical disability, when such deprivation substantially harms the child's physical, mental, or emotional health. The bill restructures the penalty classifications, changing certain offenses from a class "D" to a class "C" felony, specifically for cases involving willful deprivation of necessary care. Additionally, the bill maintains a religious exemption for specific medical treatments that conflict with a person's religious beliefs, while still allowing interested parties to petition the court on behalf of the child's best interests. The new law creates a catch-all provision that classifies any child endangerment not specifically covered by other subsections as an aggravated misdemeanor, which can result in up to two years of confinement and fines ranging from $855 to $8,540. This legislation aims to provide more comprehensive legal protection for children by establishing clearer guidelines and more stringent penalties for child endangerment.
Committee Categories
Justice
Sponsors (1)
Last Action
Introduced, referred to Public Safety. H.J. 513. (on 03/05/2025)
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=HF748 |
| BillText | https://www.legis.iowa.gov/docs/publications/LGI/91/attachments/HF748.html |
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