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Bill > HF2708
IA HF2708
IA HF2708A bill for an act relating to operating a motor vehicle while intoxicated and causing injury, and providing penalties.
summary
Introduced
02/23/2026
02/23/2026
In Committee
02/23/2026
02/23/2026
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
Introduced Session
91st General Assembly
Bill Summary
Under current law, a person who unintentionally causes the death of another by operating a motor vehicle while intoxicated (OWI) commits a class “B” felony. A person who unintentionally causes a serious injury by OWI commits a class “D” felony. “Serious injury” is defined to include disabling mental illness; bodily injury which creates a substantial risk of death, causes serious permanent disfigurement, or causes protracted loss or impairment of the function of any bodily member or organ; any injury to a child that requires surgical repair and necessitates the administration of general anesthesia; and skull fractures, rib fractures, and metaphyseal fractures of the long bones of children under the age of four years. This bill provides that a person who unintentionally injures another person, but does not cause serious injury, by OWI commits 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 person committing a second or subsequent violation of the bill commits a class “D” felony. 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.
AI Summary
This bill amends Iowa law regarding operating a motor vehicle while intoxicated (OWI) by creating a new offense for unintentionally injuring another person without causing a "serious injury" as previously defined. Under the bill, such an offense is classified as an aggravated misdemeanor, punishable by up to two years in jail and fines ranging from $855 to $8,540. However, if a person commits a second or subsequent violation of this new provision, it escalates to a class "D" felony, carrying a potential penalty of up to five years in prison and fines between $1,025 and $10,245. This change introduces a new penalty tier for OWI-related injuries that do not meet the threshold for a "serious injury," which currently includes severe physical harm, disabling mental illness, or specific injuries to young children.
Committee Categories
Justice
Sponsors (7)
Timi Brown-Powers (D)*,
Eric Gjerde (D)*,
Daniel Gosa (D)*,
Bob Kressig (D)*,
Monica Kurth (D)*,
Elinor Levin (D)*,
Beth Wessel-Kroeschell (D)*,
Last Action
Introduced, referred to Public Safety. H.J. 382. (on 02/23/2026)
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=HF2708 |
| BillText | https://www.legis.iowa.gov/docs/publications/LGI/91/attachments/HF2708.html |
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