89th General Assembly · Funnel one-pager · Monday, November 9, 2026

SF 2159: Relating to application of specific penalties to an assault on a social worker under certain circumstances

Became SF 2292 · Its progress continues under the new number.

What it does

This bill adds licensed social workers to the list of health care providers to whom specific penalties under current law apply for assault when the assault is perpetrated on such health care provider who is providing or attempting to provide emergency medical services at the scene or during out-of-hospital patient transportation in an ambulance or who is providing or attempting to provide health services in a hospital. Under the bill, a person who commits an assault against a health care provider, including a social worker, in the specified situations, who knows that the person against whom the assault is committed is a health care provider and with the intent to inflict a serious injury upon the health care provider is guilty of a class “D” felony.

Cost

See the fiscal note

Senate File 2292 expands the definition of an existing criminal offense, and the fiscal impact cannot be determined for this Bill due to the lack of existing conviction data. The average State cost per offense for a Class D felony ranges from $9,100 to $16,600…

Senate subcommittee · named February 2, 2022

Sen. Tom Shipley (R) · tom.shipley@legis.iowa.gov
Sen. Joe Bolkcom (D)
Sen. J. Taylor

Lobbying · 4 for, 1 against

For: Iowa Association of Area Agencies on Aging; Iowa Association of Rural Health Clinics; Iowa Primary Care Association; Iowa Psychological Association

Against: National Association of Social Workers, Iowa Chapter

In plain words

February 1, 2022Filed in the Senate and sent to the Judiciary committee
February 2, 2022Senate subcommittee named: Shipley, Bolkcom and J. Taylor
February 10, 2022Subcommittee recommended passing it
February 16, 2022Approved by the Senate committee, and given a new number: SF 2292