Bill
Bill > SF2011
IA SF2011
IA SF2011A bill for an act relating to mandatory minimum sentences for certain criminal offenses, and making penalties applicable.
summary
Introduced
01/12/2026
01/12/2026
In Committee
01/12/2026
01/12/2026
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
Introduced Session
91st General Assembly
Bill Summary
This bill relates to mandatory minimum sentences for certain criminal offenses. The bill provides that a person found guilty of a forcible felony who was in the immediate possession and control of a dangerous weapon, displayed a dangerous weapon in a threatening manner, or was armed with a dangerous weapon while participating in the forcible felony shall serve a minimum of one-half of the sentence imposed by law. Current law requires the person to serve five years prior to eligibility for parole. The bill provides that a person sentenced as a habitual offender shall not be eligible for parole until the person has served a minimum of one-half of the sentence imposed by law. Code section 902.8 defines a habitual offender as any person convicted of a class “C” or a class “D” felony, who has twice before been convicted of any felony in a court of this or any other state, or of the United States. The bill provides that a person who has been convicted of a first violation of conspiring to manufacture amphetamine or methamphetamine for delivery, or delivery of amphetamine or methamphetamine, to a minor under Code section 124.401D shall not be eligible for parole until the person has served a minimum of one-half of the sentence imposed by law rather than a minimum of 10 years as provided by current law. The bill provides that a person serving a sentence for a conviction of child endangerment as defined in Code section 726.6(1)(b), that is described and punishable under Code section 726.6(5), shall be denied parole or work release until the person has served between one-half and seven-tenths of the maximum term of the person’s sentence. Current law requires the person to serve between three-tenths and seven-tenths of the maximum term. The bill provides that a person who has been convicted of a third or subsequent offense of domestic abuse assault shall be denied parole or work release until the person has served between one-half of the maximum term and the maximum term of the person’s sentence. Current law requires the person to serve between one-fifth of the maximum term and the maximum term of the person’s sentence.
AI Summary
This bill modifies mandatory minimum sentencing requirements for several criminal offenses, generally increasing the amount of time individuals must serve before being eligible for parole or work release. Specifically, for those convicted of a forcible felony (a serious violent crime) while possessing or displaying a dangerous weapon, the minimum sentence to be served before parole eligibility changes from five years to one-half of the imposed sentence. Habitual offenders, defined as individuals convicted of a Class C or D felony with two prior felony convictions, will now need to serve one-half of their sentence before parole eligibility, replacing the previous three-year minimum. For a first offense of conspiring to manufacture or delivering amphetamine or methamphetamine to a minor, parole eligibility will require serving one-half of the sentence, rather than the current ten-year minimum. Child endangerment convictions will now require serving between one-half and seven-tenths of the maximum sentence before parole or work release, an increase from the previous three-tenths to seven-tenths range. Finally, individuals convicted of a third or subsequent domestic abuse assault will be denied parole or work release until they have served between one-half and the full maximum term of their sentence, a change from the previous one-fifth to the full maximum term requirement.
Committee Categories
Justice
Sponsors (1)
Last Action
Subcommittee recommends amendment and passage. (on 01/20/2026)
Official Document
bill text
bill summary
Loading...
bill summary
Loading...
bill summary
| Document Type | Source Location |
|---|---|
| State Bill Page | https://www.legis.iowa.gov/legislation/BillBook?ga=91&ba=SF2011 |
| BillText | https://www.legis.iowa.gov/docs/publications/LGI/91/attachments/SF2011.html |
Loading...