HF 180: Relating to the criminal offense of grooming and the sex offender registry, and making penalties applicable

What it does

This bill relates to the criminal offense of grooming and the sex offender registry. The bill provides that a person convicted of the criminal offense of grooming under Code section 709.8A is required to register as a tier I sex offender. Grooming is a class “D” felony. In addition to any other punishment provided by law, a person convicted of grooming is sentenced to a special sentence committing the person to custody of the director of the Iowa department of corrections for a period of years with eligibility for parole; and must register as a sex offender for a period of years upon placement on probation, parole or work release, or release from incarceration.

House subcommittee · named January 15, 2025

• Rep. Zach Dieken (R) · zachary.dieken@legis.iowa.gov
• Rep. Jason Gearhart (R) · jason.gearhart@legis.iowa.gov
• Rep. Beth Wessel-Kroeschell (D) · beth.wessel-kroeschell@legis.iowa.gov

Lobbying · 5 for, 1 against

For: Iowa Baptists For Biblical Values; Iowa Dept. of Public Safety; Iowa Integrated Health Planning and Advisory Council; Protect My Innocence; VALOR Iowa

Against: Iowa Association for Justice

In plain words

1. January 15, 2025Filed in the House and sent to the Public Safety committee · as HSB 22
2. January 15, 2025House subcommittee named: Dieken, Gearhart and Wessel-Kroeschell · as HSB 22
3. January 22, 2025Subcommittee recommended passing it · as HSB 22
4. January 29, 2025Approved by the House committee · as HSB 22
5. January 29, 2025Committee vote: 20–3 · as HSB 22
6. January 30, 2025Filed in the House
7. January 30, 2025Approved by the House committee, and given a new number: HF 180 · as HSB 22
8. February 20, 2025Passed the House, 87–5
9. March 12, 2025Took the place of SF 461 on the Senate floor (the same legislation)
10. March 12, 2025Passed the Senate, 48–0
11. March 28, 2025Sent to the Governor
12. March 28, 2025Signed into law