HF 449: Relating to screening children for commercial sexual exploitation in certain circumstances

What it does

This bill relates to screening children for commercial sexual exploitation (exploitation) in certain circumstances. The bill defines “commercial sexual exploitation” as causing a child, by force, fraud, or coercion, to engage in sex or sexually explicit activities for money, goods, services, or the promise of money, goods, or services. The bill requires the juvenile court or the court’s designee to order a child screened for exploitation when the court receives a complaint alleging that the child committed a delinquent act. The bill requires the department of health and human services (HHS) to screen a child for exploitation if HHS determines a report it receives alleging child abuse constitutes a child abuse allegation.

House subcommittee · named February 20, 2025

• Rep. Devon Wood (R) · devon.wood@legis.iowa.gov
• Rep. Eddie Andrews (R) · eddie.andrews@legis.iowa.gov
• Rep. Austin Baeth (D) · austin.baeth@legis.iowa.gov

Lobbying · 2 for, 0 against

For: Network Against Human Trafficking; VALOR Iowa

In plain words

1. February 18, 2025Filed in the House and sent to the Health and Human Services committee
2. February 20, 2025House subcommittee named: Wood, Andrews and Baeth
3. February 25, 2025Subcommittee recommended passing it
4. March 3, 2025Approved by the House committee
5. March 3, 2025Committee vote: 20–0
6. March 5, 2025Approved by the House committee, and given a new number: HF 801