Relating to the defense of justification for violent crimes

Where it is now

1. ✓
   Done: IntroducedFebruary 19, 2026
2. ✓
   Done: SubcommitteeFebruary 19, 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 specifies that a defense of justification is not available to a person who is the subject of a nonviolent sexual advance who commits a violent crime upon another person as the result of that sexual advance or solely as the result of the person’s discovery of, knowledge about, or potential disclosure of the victim’s sex, sexual orientation, or gender identity.

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 19, 2026. It hasn’t reported yet.

• Sen. Jason Schultz REmail
• Sen. Matt Blake DEmail
• Sen. Mike Bousselot REmail

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§704A.1

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

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.

Earlier and later bills are matched by wording or an identical title; check the text to be sure it’s the same idea.

Tried before

This idea has been filed in an earlier General Assembly. None became law, though one got through a chamber.

• HF 2503 Relating to the defense of justification for violent crimes
  88th General Assembly · Passed House · same title
  Passed a chamber

Matched by the wording of each bill’s explanation, or an identical title. Companion bills and renumbered versions of this bill aren’t listed; they’re the same bill.