Bills › 91st General Assembly
Relating to the possession of contraband in department of corrections facilities, and providing penalties
Sponsored by the House Public Safety Committee
Proposed by the Department of Corrections · their explanation · all agency proposals
Topics:Crime & corrections
Same legislation: HSB 510
Where it is now
- Done: IntroducedJanuary 12, 2026
- Done: SubcommitteeJanuary 12, 2026
- Done: House committeeJanuary 20, 2026
- Stopped: Passes the HouseDied when the General Assembly ended
- Next: Senate committeeFunnel: by March 20, 2026
- Next: Passes the Senate
- Next: To the Governor
- Next: Signed into law
Died when the session ended The 2026 session adjourned on May 3, 2026, the General Assembly’s last regular session. Bills that didn’t pass both chambers died. What’s a funnel?
What’s in it
AI summary Inmates in Iowa prisons who possess prohibited items like cell phones, tobacco, or money would face new felony charges. If caught with these items, the person must serve their new punishment after finishing their current prison sentence. Facilities are also allowed to use X-rays to check people for these restricted items, and anyone who knows about these items but fails to report them could face criminal charges.1
Read the official explanation
This bill relates to the possession of contraband in department of corrections facilities. The bill provides that any punishment for the possession of contraband by an inmate of a facility under the control of the department of corrections shall be served consecutively to the sentence being served by the inmate at the time of the violation. The bill adds a new category of restricted or disruptive contraband. “Restricted or disruptive contraband” means any object, material, substance, or article that is not inherently illegal to possess under the laws of the state but that is prohibited by the facility due to the threat it poses to the order, discipline, or security of the facility, or to the life, health, or safety of an individual. 7; pornographic or sexually explicit materials as defined by institutional policy; and any other item designated as restricted or disruptive contraband by the facility. The bill authorizes taking an X ray of a person under the control of a facility if there is reason to believe that the person is in possession of restricted or disruptive contraband. A licensed physician or x-ray technician under the supervision of a licensed physician shall x-ray the person. A person who possesses restricted or disruptive contraband commits a class “D” felony. 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. The bill provides that a person commits the offense of failing to report restricted or disruptive contraband when the person fails to report a known violation or attempted violation to an official or officer at a facility. A person who violates this provision commits an aggravated misdemeanor. An aggravated misdemeanor is punishable by confinement for no more than two years and a fine of at least $855 but not more than $8,540.
House subcommittee
Named January 12, 2026 (as HSB 510). On January 14, 2026 it recommended passage.
Three legislators hear a bill first and recommend what the committee should do; it’s the best time to weigh in. How to take part
Family tree
Study bill
91st General Assembly