Bill > SF2398

This bill amends Iowa law to restrict the use of the "defense of justification" in certain criminal cases. The defense of justification is a legal argument that a person's actions, even if they would normally be considered a crime, were necessary and therefore excusable under the circumstances, such as in self-defense. This bill specifies that this defense is *not* available to someone who commits a violent crime against another person if that crime was a result of a nonviolent sexual advance made to them, or if the crime was committed solely because they discovered, knew about, or could potentially reveal the victim's sex, sexual orientation, or gender identity. A "violent crime" is defined elsewhere in the law, generally referring to serious offenses involving physical harm or the threat of it. This provision aims to prevent individuals from using the justification defense to excuse violent acts stemming from non-consensual sexual advances or related to a victim's personal characteristics.

Justice

https://www.legis.iowa.gov/legislation/BillBook?ga=91&ba=SF2398