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Bills › 91st General Assembly

SF 2161Died when the session ended · February 17, 2026

Defining coercive control and including it in the definition of domestic abuse

Sponsored by Sen. Scott Webster (R)

Topics:Courts & civil law

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Official bill pageLobbyist declarationsOne-pager to print

Where it is now

  1. Done: IntroducedJanuary 29, 2026
  2. Done: SubcommitteeFebruary 4, 2026
  3. Stopped: Senate committeeDied when the General Assembly ended
  4. Next: Passes the Senate
  5. Next: House committeeFunnel: by March 20, 2026
  6. Next: Passes the House
  7. Next: To the Governor
  8. 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 defines coercive control and includes it within the meaning of domestic abuse. By operation of law, a temporary protective order or a protective order requiring a defendant to cease domestic abuse of a plaintiff will require the defendant to cease engaging in coercive control of the plaintiff. The bill defines “coercive control” as a pattern of behavior that is used to cause an individual to suffer physical, emotional, or psychological harm, and, in purpose or effect, unreasonably interferes with the individual’s free will and personal liberty.

Read the full explanation

In determining whether interference is unreasonable, a court shall consider the context and impact of the pattern of behavior from the perspective of an individual in a similar situation as the individual the interference affects. The bill lists several acts that are included in the meaning of “coercive control”. “Coercive control” does not include protective actions taken by an individual in good faith for the purpose of protecting the individual’s self or the individual’s children from the reasonably perceived risk of harm posed by another individual.

From the explanation printed with the bill as introduced, written by the Legislative Services Agency. Amendments adopted later aren’t reflected. Full bill text

Senate subcommittee

Named February 4, 2026. On February 17, 2026 it recommended amendment and 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

Amends§236.2

Read from the bill as introduced. Each links to every bill touching that chapter of the Iowa Code. How the Code works

Lobbying

1 for · 0 against · 5 undecided · Who →