Relating to the dissemination and exhibition of obscene material to minors and providing penalties

Sponsored by the House Judiciary Committee, Rep. Heather Hora (R), Rep. Megan Jones (R)

Topics:Courts & civil law Crime & corrections Kids online & social media Books & libraries

Same legislation: HF 64

Write your legislators about itWhat changed before it passed

Official bill page Lobbyist declarations One-pager to print

Where it is now

Done: IntroducedJanuary 15, 2025
Done: SubcommitteeJanuary 16, 2025
Done: House committeeFebruary 6, 2025
Done: Passes the HouseMarch 10, 202588–0
Done: Senate committeeApril 3, 2025
Done: Passes the SenateApril 14, 202545–0
Done: To the GovernorMay 19, 2025
Done: Signed into lawMay 27, 2025

Signed into law What’s a funnel?

What’s in it

This bill relates to the dissemination and exhibition of obscene material to minors. Current law provides that any person, other than the parent or guardian of the minor, who knowingly disseminates or exhibits obscene material, including the exhibition of obscene material so that it can be observed by a minor on or off the premises where it is displayed, commits a serious misdemeanor. The bill maintains a serious misdemeanor for a first offense. A second offense is an aggravated misdemeanor with a mandatory minimum term of confinement of one year.

Read the full explanation

A third or subsequent offense is a class “D” felony with a mandatory minimum term of confinement of three years. No portion of the mandatory minimum sentence may be deferred or suspended. A serious misdemeanor is punishable by confinement for no more than one year and a fine of at least $430 but not more than $2,560. 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. 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 $10,245.2 is a tier I sex offense and a person convicted of the offense is required to register as a sex offender for a period of years.

From the explanation printed with the bill as introduced, written by the Legislative Services Agency. Changed since by amendment H-1040; see Amendments. Full bill text · What changed before it passed

Senate subcommittee

Named March 13, 2025. On March 26, 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

Fiscal note

Can’t be estimated Compare with other bills

The fiscal impact for HF 306 cannot be determined, but is anticipated to be minimal. Figure 2 shows the average State cost per offense for a serious misdemeanor, aggravated misdemeanor, and Class D felony. The estimated impact to the General Fund includes operating costs incurred by the Judicial Branch, the Indigent Defense Fund, and the Department of Corrections (DOC).

Final Fiscal Note — Dissemination of Obscene Material to Minors, Penalty · June 6, 2025
Dissemination of Obscene Material to Minors, Penalty · March 18, 2025
Dissemination of Obscene Material to Minors, Penalty · February 28, 2025

Nonpartisan cost estimates from the Legislative Services Agency’s Fiscal Services Division. The newest is first. Reading a fiscal note

Iowa Code it changes

Amends§728.2

Read from the bill as introduced. Each links to every bill touching that chapter of the Iowa Code. How the Code works

Lobbying

9 for · 0 against · 8 undecided · Who →

Family tree

Where this legislation came from and where it went: earlier tries, the versions it moved through this Assembly, and later bills built on it.

Tried before

HF 2046Renumbered90th GA

91st General Assembly

HF 64Renumbered HF 306Became lawfrom HF 64

Earlier and later bills are matched by wording or an identical title; check the text to be sure it’s the same idea.

Tried before

This idea has been filed in an earlier General Assembly. None got through a chamber.

HF 2046 Relating to the dissemination and exhibition of obscene material to minors, and providing …
90th General Assembly · Renumbered as HF 2239 · very similar
Cleared committee

Matched by the wording of each bill’s explanation, or an identical title. Companion bills and renumbered versions of this bill aren’t listed; they’re the same bill.