Human Trafficking Omnibus
Introduced late in the session by Rep. Brian Lohse, HSB 746 is an extension of many conversations that occurred during the fall 2023 Interim Human Trafficking Study Committee. While the bill was unanimously supported by its House subcommittee members, without a companion bill there was not enough time to advance it through the process. We expect a similar bill to be released early in the 2025 legislative session. The bill:
Requires an annual stakeholder meeting for the next 5 years.
Extends the civil statute of limitations for sexual abuse or human trafficking of a minor to 5 years after the victim has reached 18 years of age.
Allows for the use of video depositions for victims of human trafficking.
Amends definitions of A and B restitution.
Requires the Department of Health and Human Services to develop a plan to increase the availability of restoration facilities and protective services to human trafficking victims.
Allocates $750,000 to the Attorney General’s Office to create a unit in conjunction with the Office to Combat Human Trafficking to investigate and prosecute trafficking cases.
Secretary of State and Voting Matters
HF 2610 / 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. Neither bills were considered on the Senate floor.
Obscenity to Minors
HF 2239 increases the penalty for the dissemination of obscenity to an aggravated misdemeanor. The bill passed the House unanimously and is on the Senate debate calendar but the bill was not taken up by the Senate.