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Bill > SF2163
IA SF2163
IA SF2163A bill for an act relating to false accusations of criminal acts, and providing penalties.
summary
Introduced
01/29/2026
01/29/2026
In Committee
01/29/2026
01/29/2026
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
Introduced Session
91st General Assembly
Bill Summary
This bill relates to false accusations of criminal acts. Current law provides that a person who reports the alleged occurrence of a criminal act, knowing the act did not occur, commits a serious misdemeanor or a class “D” felony depending on the nature of the alleged offense. The bill provides that any person who continues to make allegations of an alleged occurrence of a criminal act after the allegations are proven to be false may be charged with malicious prosecution under Code section 720.6, which the bill changes from a serious misdemeanor to 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.
AI Summary
This bill modifies existing laws concerning false accusations of criminal acts by adding a provision that allows individuals who continue to make false allegations after they have been disproven to be charged with malicious prosecution under section 720.6 of the Code. The bill also reclassifies malicious prosecution from a serious misdemeanor to an aggravated misdemeanor, which carries a potential penalty of up to two years in jail and a fine ranging from $855 to $8,540. Additionally, the bill clarifies that reporting false information about specific serious crimes, such as forcible felonies or acts of terrorism, can result in a class "D" felony charge, and if that false report leads to serious injury or death, it becomes a class "C" felony.
Committee Categories
Justice
Sponsors (1)
Last Action
Subcommittee: Schultz, Blake, and Bousselot. S.J. 200. (on 02/04/2026)
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=SF2163 |
| BillText | https://www.legis.iowa.gov/docs/publications/LGI/91/attachments/SF2163.html |
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