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

HF 2239: Relating to the dissemination and exhibition of obscene material to minors, and providing penalties

Died when the session ended · The General Assembly adjourned on April 19, 2024. Bills that didn’t pass both chambers died.

What it does

This bill relates to the dissemination and exhibition of obscene material to minors. Current law provides that any person, other than the parent or guardian of the minor, who knowingly disseminates or exhibits obscene material, including the exhibition of obscene material so that it can be observed by a minor on or off the premises where it is displayed, commits a serious misdemeanor. The bill increases the penalty to an aggravated misdemeanor. A serious misdemeanor is punishable by confinement for no more than one year and a fine of at least $430 but not more than $2,560.

Cost

Can’t be estimated

The fiscal impact cannot be determined, but is anticipated to be minimal. Figure 2 shows the average State cost per offense for an aggravated misdemeanor and a serious misdemeanor. The estimated impact to the State General Fund includes operating costs incurre…

Senate subcommittee · named February 28, 2024

Sen. Dan Dawson (R) · dan.dawson@legis.iowa.gov
Sen. Herman C. Quirmbach (D) · herman.quirmbach@legis.iowa.gov
Sen. David D. Rowley (R) · david.rowley@legis.iowa.gov

Lobbying · 7 for, 0 against

For: Iowa Baptists For Biblical Values; Iowa Faith and Freedom Coalition; Iowa Liberty Network; Protect My Innocence; The Family Leader; The Family Leader Foundation; VALOR Iowa

In plain words

January 31, 2024Filed in the House
February 12, 2024Cost estimate (fiscal note) posted
February 26, 2024Passed the House, 95–0
February 27, 2024Arrived in the Senate
February 28, 2024Senate subcommittee named: Dawson, Quirmbach and Rowley
March 5, 2024Subcommittee recommended passing it
March 6, 2024Approved by the Senate committee