Bills › 91st General Assembly
Establishing the criminal offense of human smuggling, and providing penalties
Sponsored by Rep. John H. Wills (R)
Topics:Crime & corrections
Where it is now
- Done: IntroducedJanuary 15, 2025
- Stopped: SubcommitteeDied when the General Assembly ended
- Next: House committeeFunnel: by February 20, 2026
- Next: Passes the House
- Next: Senate committeeFunnel: by March 20, 2026
- Next: Passes the Senate
- Next: To the Governor
- 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 Iowa would create a new crime called human smuggling for people who transport or hide others in the state to make money while knowing those people lack legal documents. This crime becomes more serious, known as aggravated human smuggling, if a weapon is used or if the person being smuggled is hurt or sexually abused. People convicted of these crimes could face several years or even up to 25 years in prison.1
Read the official explanation
This bill establishes the criminal offense of human smuggling. The bill provides that a person commits the offense of human smuggling when the person knowingly transports another person into the state, or harbors or conceals another person within the state and: the person knows or should have known that the other person is entering into or remaining in the United States without proper documentation; the person benefits financially, or receives anything of value; and the person knows or should have known that the person being smuggled is likely to be exploited for the financial gain of another. Human smuggling is a class “D” felony. 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 $10,245.1. Aggravated human smuggling is a class “B” felony. A class “B” felony is punishable by confinement for no more than 25 years.
Why it matters. People who knowingly transport, harbor, or conceal others in Iowa for financial gain while knowing they lack proper documentation could face new criminal charges for human smuggling. These offenses range from a class D felony to an aggravated human smuggling felony if a weapon is used or if the person being smuggled is harmed or sexually abused.2