Bills › 91st General Assembly

HF 228Died when the session ended · February 19, 2025

Relating to prostitution, and making penalties applicable

Sponsored by Rep. Eric J. Gjerde (D)

Topics:Crime & corrections

Where it is now

  1. Done: IntroducedFebruary 6, 2025
  2. Done: SubcommitteeFebruary 11, 2025
  3. Stopped: House committeeDied when the General Assembly ended
  4. Next: Passes the House
  5. Next: Senate committeeFunnel: by March 20, 2026
  6. Next: Passes the Senate
  7. Next: To the Governor
  8. 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 People who pay for sex with someone they believe is under 18 would face a felony charge, even if that person is actually a police officer pretending to be a minor. This change makes it a crime to attempt to buy these services from anyone who appears to be a child. Those convicted could face up to five years in prison and significant fines.1

Read the official explanation

This bill relates to prostitution. Current law provides that a person commits a class “D” felony when the person purchases or offers to purchase services as a partner in a sex act from a person who is under the age of 18. The bill adds that it is a class “D” felony for a person to purchase or offer to purchase services as a partner in a sex act from a person who is reasonably believed to be under the age of including a law enforcement officer or agent posing as a minor under the age of 18. A class “D” felony is punishable by confinement for not more than five years and a fine of at least $1,025 but not more than $10,245.

Full bill text2

House subcommittee

Named February 11, 2025. On February 19, 2025 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

1 written public comment to its subcommittee: February 19, 2025 (1) · on the Legislature’s site

Iowa Code it changes

Amends§725.1

How the Code works3

Lobbying

2 for · 0 against · 1 undecided · Who →