HSB 570: Relating to victim protections including victim counselors, protective orders, sex offender registration, rights of sexual abuse victims, mental competency and civil commitment, restitution, and victim rights

What it does

_____ This bill relates to victim protections including victim counselors, protective orders, sex offender registration, rights of sexual abuse victims, mental competency and civil commitment, restitution, and victim rights. DIVISION I. The bill provides that a victim counselor, or a clerk, secretary, stenographer, or any other employee who types or otherwise prepares or manages the confidential reports or working papers of a victim counselor, must not be compelled to produce confidential communications or confidential information or be examined or required to give evidence concerning any confidential communication or confidential information made by a victim to the counselor, except under any of the following circumstances: the victim waives the privilege in writing, disclosure of the information is compelled by a court, or failure to disclose is likely to result in a clear, imminent risk of serious physical injury or death of the victim or another person.

House subcommittee · named January 20, 2026

• Rep. Bill Gustoff (R) · bill.gustoff@legis.iowa.gov
• Rep. Angel Ramirez (D) · angel.ramirez@legis.iowa.gov
• Rep. Craig Steven Williams (R) · craig.williams@legis.iowa.gov

Lobbying · 10 for, 6 against

For: Iowa Affiliate of the American College of Nurse-Midwives; Iowa Attorney General Dept. of Justice; Iowa Chapter of the National Association of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners; Iowa County Attorneys Association; Iowa Faith and Freedom Coalition; Iowa Insurance Associates; Iowa Nurse Practitioners Society; Iowa Nurses Association; League of Women Voters of Iowa; VALOR Iowa

Against: Iowa Affiliate of the American College of Nurse-Midwives; Iowa Association for Justice; Iowa Chapter of the National Association of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners; Iowa Coalition Against Domestic Violence; Iowa Nurse Practitioners Society; Iowa Nurses Association

In plain words

1. January 15, 2026Filed in the House and sent to the Judiciary committee
2. January 15, 2026House subcommittee named: Lawler, Ramirez and Williams
3. January 20, 2026House subcommittee named: Gustoff, Ramirez and Williams
4. January 21, 2026Subcommittee recommended passing it
5. February 19, 2026Approved by the House committee
6. February 19, 2026Committee vote: 16–4
7. February 23, 2026Approved by the House committee, and given a new number: HF 2704