Bills › 91st General Assembly
Relating to drug paraphernalia and drug-checking equipment
Sponsored by Rep. Brett Barker (R), Rep. Brian K. Lohse (R)
Topics:Crime & correctionsHealth careFentanyl & drug crimes
Same legislation: HF 699
Where it is now
- Done: IntroducedFebruary 19, 2025
- Done: SubcommitteeFebruary 20, 2025
- Done: House committeeFebruary 26, 2025
- Next: Passes the House
- Next: Senate committeeFunnel: by March 20, 2026
- Next: Passes the Senate
- Next: To the Governor
- Next: Signed into law
Became HF 699 → Its progress continues under the new number. Go to HF 699 What’s a funnel?
What’s in it
This bill relates to drug paraphernalia and drug-checking equipment. Under current law, a person who knowingly or intentionally manufactures, delivers, sells, or possesses drug paraphernalia commits a simple misdemeanor. Hypodermic needles or syringes manufactured, delivered, sold, or possessed for a lawful purpose are exempt from the definition of “drug paraphernalia”. The bill also exempts test strips or other materials used or intended for use in testing for the presence of fentanyl, xylazine, or a fentanyl or xylazine analog in a substance; drug-checking equipment used to inform individuals of whether a substance has been adulterated; materials used by agents of organizations that provide harm reduction services in the processing, preparing, packaging, repackaging, storing, or containing of a nominal amount of a controlled substance for the purpose of confirmatory testing; and drug-checking equipment used, purchased, transported, or distributed by agents of organizations that provide harm reduction services authorized by the state, a county, a municipality, or a public health department from the definition of “drug paraphernalia”.
Read the full explanation
The bill provides that a person may do any of the following: obtain, possess, purchase, sell, provide, transport, distribute, use, or request another person to use drug-checking equipment; possess, transport, deliver, or provide drug paraphernalia or a nominal amount of one or more controlled substances or controlled substance analogs for, or during, analysis by drug-checking equipment; and possess, provide, or communicate the results of the drug-checking analysis in paper, electronic, or verbal form. The bill provides that the state may authorize use of state or state-administered funds including but not limited to moneys in the Iowa opioid litigation settlement proceeds fund for eligible drug-checking activities. The bill provides that no person shall be subject to the following for engaging in any act authorized by the bill: arrested, charged, prosecuted, or subject to revocation of probation, parole, or pretrial release; civil, disciplinary, or administrative action; the loss of one or more dependents; the loss of housing; or any other punitive action or penalty taken against the person. The bill provides that the fact that a person is engaging in any act authorized by the bill shall not: serve as the basis for a determination by a law enforcement officer or any court of probable cause or reasonable suspicion to stop, search, or arrest the person or search or seize the person’s property; or be admissible as evidence in a criminal case or administrative action against the person. The results from a drug-checking analysis shall not be used by any person for treatment or other clinical decisions, in any criminal investigation, or as evidence in a criminal case or administrative action.
From the explanation printed with the bill as introduced, written by the Legislative Services Agency. Amendments adopted later aren’t reflected. Full bill text
House subcommittee
Named February 20, 2025. On February 24, 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
Iowa Code it changes
Creates§124.414A
Amends§124.414
Read from the bill as introduced. Each links to every bill touching that chapter of the Iowa Code. How the Code works
Lobbying
19 for · 1 against · 6 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.
91st General Assembly
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