Bills › 91st General Assembly
Providing for a hearing to determine immunity from criminal or civil liability following a use of reasonable force in defense of one’s self, others, or property
Sponsored by the House Judiciary Committee
Topics:Courts & civil law
Same legislation: HSB 213
Where it is now
- Done: IntroducedFebruary 19, 2025
- Done: SubcommitteeFebruary 19, 2025
- Done: House committeeMarch 6, 2025
- Done: Passes the HouseMarch 24, 202589–6
- Stopped: Senate committeeDied when the General Assembly ended
- Next: Passes the Senate
- Next: To the Governor
- Next: Signed into law
Died when the session ended The General Assembly adjourned on October 2, 2026. Bills that didn’t pass both chambers died. What’s a funnel?
What’s in it
This bill provides for a hearing to determine immunity from criminal or civil liability following a use of reasonable force in defense of one’s self, others, or property. Current law provides for immunity from criminal or civil liability for all damages caused by a person justified in using reasonable force in defense of the person, another person, or property. The bill provides that a defendant in a criminal action may file a motion asserting immunity not less than days before trial. The court shall conduct a pretrial hearing to determine whether the defendant is immune.
Read the full explanation
If the court finds that the defendant has established a prima facie claim of immunity, the state shall bear the burden of proof by clear and convincing evidence to overcome the claim of immunity. If the state overcomes the claim of immunity, the case will proceed to trial. If the state does not overcome the claim of immunity, the case shall be dismissed with prejudice. The bill provides that a defendant in a civil action may raise immunity as an affirmative defense.
From the explanation printed with the bill as introduced, written by the Legislative Services Agency. Changed since by amendment H-1123; see Amendments. Full bill text
Senate subcommittee
Named March 27, 2025. It hasn’t reported yet.
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
Amends§704.13
Read from the bill as introduced. Each links to every bill touching that chapter of the Iowa Code. How the Code works
Lobbying
5 for · 7 against · 4 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.
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91st General Assembly
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