Bills › 90th General Assembly

SF 2161Signed by Governor · April 10, 2024

Relating to false reports to or communications with public safety entities, and providing penalties

Sponsored by the Senate Judiciary Committee

Topics:Courts & civil lawCrime & corrections

Same legislation: HF 2165

Where it is now

  1. Done: IntroducedJanuary 25, 2024
  2. Skipped: SubcommitteeSkipped
  3. Done: Senate committeeJanuary 31, 2024
  4. Done: Passes the SenateFebruary 20, 202446–0
  5. Skipped: House committeeSkipped
  6. Done: Passes the HouseFebruary 26, 202495–0
  7. Done: To the GovernorApril 10, 2024
  8. Done: Signed into lawApril 10, 2024

Signed into law What’s a funnel?

What’s in it

This bill relates to false reports to or communications with public safety entities. Under current law, a person who reports or causes to be reported false information to a fire department, a law enforcement authority, or other public safety entity, knowing that the information is false, commits either a simple misdemeanor or a serious misdemeanor depending upon the method of making the false report, or the seriousness of the falsely reported criminal act.6, an act of terrorism under Code chapter 708A, unlawful possession of biological agents or diseases under Code chapter 708B, and any offense under Code chapter 712 (concerning arson, explosive materials, and destructive devices).

Read the full explanation

If the falsely reported information involves one of the listed criminal acts and the false report results in another person experiencing serious bodily injury or death, the person reporting the false information commits a class “C” felony. The bill provides that a person causes serious bodily injury or death when the report of false information contributes to the other person’s serious bodily injury or death. 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. 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.

From the explanation printed with the bill as introduced, written by the Legislative Services Agency. Amendments adopted later aren’t reflected. Full bill text · What changed before it passed

Fiscal note

Can’t be estimated Compare with other bills

Senate File 2161 creates a new criminal offense, and the fiscal impact cannot be estimated due to a lack of existing data. Figure 2 shows the average State cost per offense for a Class C felony, Class D felony, aggravated misdemeanor, serious misdemeanor, and simple misdemeanor.

Nonpartisan cost estimates from the Legislative Services Agency’s Fiscal Services Division. The newest is first. Reading a fiscal note

Iowa Code it changes

Amends§718.6

Read from the bill as introduced. Each links to every bill touching that chapter of the Iowa Code. How the Code works

Lobbying

10 for · 0 against · 8 undecided · Who →

Family tree

Where this legislation came from and where it went: earlier tries, the versions it moved through this Assembly, and later bills built on it.

Earlier and later bills are matched by wording or an identical title; check the text to be sure it’s the same idea.