90th General Assembly · Funnel one-pager · Monday, November 9, 2026

HF 119: Establishing the criminal offense of assault on a pregnant person, and providing penalties

Became HF 570 · Its progress continues under the new number.

What it does

This bill establishes the crime of assault on a pregnant person.1, comparatively by one degree, if the person against whom the assault is perpetrated is someone the perpetrator knew or should have known to be pregnant. Under the bill, a person who commits an assault against another person the person knew or should have known to be pregnant, without the intent to inflict serious injury, but who causes serious injury, is guilty of a class “C” felony. A class “C” felony is punishable by confinement for no more than years and a fine of at least $1,370 but not more than $13,660.

Cost

See the fiscal note

House File 570 modifies the penalties for existing offenses, and the fiscal impact cannot be determined because the number of past convictions for assault and domestic abuse assault against a pregnant person is unknown. Table 2 shows the average State cost per…

House subcommittee · named January 31, 2023

Rep. Jeff Shipley (R) · jeff.shipley@legis.iowa.gov
Rep. Joel Fry (R)
Rep. Beth Wessel-Kroeschell (D) · beth.wessel-kroeschell@legis.iowa.gov

Lobbying · 8 for, 0 against

For: Iowa Baptists For Biblical Values; Iowa Catholic Conference; Iowa Right to Life Committee; Protect My Innocence; Pulse Life Advocates; The Family Leader; The Family Leader Foundation; VALOR Iowa

In plain words

January 25, 2023Filed in the House and sent to the Public Safety committee
January 31, 2023House subcommittee named: Shipley, Fry and Wessel-Kroeschell
February 14, 2023Subcommittee recommended passing it
February 28, 2023Approved by the House committee
March 2, 2023Approved by the House committee, and given a new number: HF 570
March 16, 2023Withdrawn