HF 2144: Relating to the expungement of certain criminal history records of victims of human trafficking, and including penalties

What it does

This bill is related to the expungement of certain criminal history records (criminal record) of victims of human trafficking. “Human trafficking” is defined as participating in a venture to recruit, harbor, transport, supply provisions, or obtain a person for forced labor or service that results in involuntary servitude, peonage, debt bondage, or slavery; or for commercial sexual activity through the use of force, fraud, or coercion, except that if the trafficked person is under the age of 18, the commercial sexual activity need not involve force, fraud, or coercion; and knowingly purchasing or attempting to purchase services involving commercial sexual activity from a victim or another person engaged in trafficking, or from a law enforcement officer or agent posing as a person engaged in human trafficking.

House subcommittee · named January 27, 2026

• Rep. Mark I. Thompson (R) · mark.thompson@legis.iowa.gov
• Rep. Charley Thomson (R) · charley.thomson@legis.iowa.gov
• Rep. Ross Wilburn (D) · ross.wilburn@legis.iowa.gov

Lobbying · 9 for, 0 against

For: Americans For Prosperity; Iowa Association for Justice; Iowa Catholic Conference; Iowa Coalition Against Domestic Violence; Iowa Organization for Victim Assistance; League of Women Voters of Iowa; Network Against Human Trafficking; Soaring Hearts; VALOR Iowa

In plain words

1. January 21, 2026Filed in the House and sent to the Judiciary committee
2. January 27, 2026House subcommittee named: Thompson, M., Thomson, C. and Wilburn
3. January 29, 2026Subcommittee recommended passing it
4. February 19, 2026Approved by the House committee
5. February 19, 2026Committee vote: 20–0
6. February 23, 2026Approved by the House committee, and given a new number: HF 2696
7. March 16, 2026Withdrawn