HF 2696: 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.

Senate subcommittee · named March 17, 2026

• Sen. Mike Bousselot (R) · mike.bousselot@legis.iowa.gov
• Sen. Tony Bisignano (D) · tony.bisignano@legis.iowa.gov
• Sen. Scott Webster (R) · scott.webster@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. February 23, 2026Filed in the House
2. March 12, 2026Passed the House, 90–0
3. March 16, 2026Arrived in the Senate
4. March 17, 2026Senate subcommittee named: Bousselot, Bisignano and Webster
5. March 18, 2026Subcommittee recommended passing it
6. March 19, 2026Approved by the Senate committee