HF 2460 / SF 2170 states that at the time of sentencing, the court must determine when a person convicted of human trafficking shall first become eligible for parole and work release. The bill also expands the appointment of a guardian ad litem for prosecuting witnesses with mental disabilities. The House passed HF 2460 on a vote of 91-3. Meanwhile, the Senate attached the House File to its companion, SF 2170. It’s eligible for debate on the Senate floor through the end of the session. NAHT is Monitoring.
HF 2546 requires public schools to teach internet safety and the Department of Education to create a curriculum for students in grades 6-12. The bill also prohibits school districts from allowing students to access social media platforms on school grounds. The legislation passed the House unanimously and is on the Senate debate calendar. NAHT Supports.
HF 2612 / SF 2380: Initially this bill was drafted to protect victims’ addresses by giving the Iowa Secretary of State the authority to not forward mail to victims of domestic abuse and/or assault, sexual abuse, assault, stalking, human trafficking, and other violent crimes. Later, House Republicans amended the bill to include language that would modify election conduct requirements and voting eligibility. Because the intent of the bill was changed, the House passed the bill along party lines. The bill is eligible to be debated by the Senate at any time. NAHT Supports.
SF 2243 : Current law states it is unlawful to knowingly purchase or possess a visual depiction of a minor engaging in a prohibited sexual act or the simulation of said act. This bill changes the definition of “visual depiction of a minor” to include any visual depiction that has been created, adapted, or modified to give the appearance that a minor is engaged in a prohibited sexual act. The bill passed both chambers unanimously and awaits the Governor’s signature. NAHT is Tracking.
HF 2239 increases the penalty for the dissemination of child sexual content. The bill passed the House unanimously and is on the Senate debate calendar. NAHT is Tracking.
HF 2240 defines harassment of another person as using “an individual, recognizable by the person’s face, likeness or other distinguished features” whose image is created, adapted, or modified in a visual description of sexual acts. The crime would be classified as an aggravated misdemeanor. The bill passed the House unanimously and awaits debate on the Senate floor. NAHT is Tracking.
These are the live bills as we head into the final weeks of the 2024 Legislative Session. If you haven’t done so yet, or it has been a while since your last conversation, NOW IS THE TIME to encourage your Senator and Representative to ask legislative leadership to allocate $5 million for human trafficking victim services and support. Advocacy Strategies continues to have conversations with legislators about the need for this funding. Together we can make this a reality!