Bills › 91st General Assembly
Proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the State of Iowa eliminating involuntary servitude as a punishment for crime
Sponsored by Sen. Izaah Knox (D)
Where it is now
- Done: IntroducedFebruary 13, 2025
- Stopped: Approved in committeeDid not pass
- Next: Passes the Senate
- Next: Passes the House
- Next: Passes again next General AssemblyThe same wording, after an election
- Next: Voters decideOn the next general election ballot
Did not pass It didn’t pass both chambers before the General Assembly ended. What’s a funnel?
What’s in it
AI summary If voters approve this change, Iowa would no longer be allowed to use forced labor as a punishment for crimes. Instead of being forced to work, people convicted of crimes could be ordered by a court to perform community service or other alternatives to jail.1
Read the official explanation
This joint resolution proposes an amendment to the Constitution of the State of Iowa eliminating involuntary servitude as a legal punishment for crime. The resolution provides that an Iowa court or an Iowa probation or parole agency may order community service or another alternative to incarceration. The resolution, if adopted, would be published and then referred to the next general assembly (92nd) for adoption, before being submitted to the electorate for ratification.
Senate subcommittee
Named February 18, 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
Family tree
91st General Assembly
Earlier and later bills are matched by wording or an identical title.
Tried before
This idea has been filed in 3 earlier General Assemblies. None got through a chamber.
- SSB 1144 SSB 114490th General Assembly · Subcommittee recommends passage · very similarCleared committee
- HJR 1 Proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the State of Iowa eliminating involuntary se…89th General Assembly · In committee · very similarCleared committee
- HJR 9 Proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the State of Iowa to make references to the …88th General Assembly · In committee · similarCleared committee
- SJR 5 Proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the State of Iowa to make the Constitution o…88th General Assembly · In committee · similarCleared committee
- HJR 1 Proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the State of Iowa relating to the restoratio…88th General Assembly · Withdrawn · similarDidn’t advance
Matched by wording or an identical title.