IA
Iowa Senate Bill SSB1048

Iowa 2023-2024 Regular Session

Iowa Senate Bill SSB1048

Introduced
1/17/23  
Introduced
1/17/23  

Caption

A bill for an act relating to continuous sexual abuse of a child, and making penalties applicable.(See SF 229.)

Impact

With this bill, the penalties for continuous sexual abuse will become more stringent. The legislation allows for a maximum sentence of fifty years for those convicted. Additionally, individuals serving sentences for this specific crime will be denied parole or work release unless they have served at least seventy percent of their sentence. This is intended to ensure that serious offenders remain incarcerated longer to mitigate the risk of reoffending and to enhance the safety of vulnerable populations.

Summary

SSB1048 is a legislative bill introduced in the Iowa General Assembly that aims to address the issue of continuous sexual abuse of children. The bill specifies that a person aged eighteen or older who engages in three or more acts of sexual abuse against the same child, with a minimum of thirty days between the first and last acts, can be charged with a class B felony. This marks a significant development in laws pertaining to child sexual abuse, instituting strict penalties designed to deter potential offenders and protect children more effectively.

Contention

One notable aspect of SSB1048 is the requirement that juries must unanimously agree that acts of abuse occurred with the same child, yet they do not need to agree on the specific acts or dates. This could raise concerns regarding the legal process and potential implications for fair trials, particularly regarding the responsibilities placed upon jurors. Critics may argue that this could lead to variations in how cases are adjudicated, depending on jury perceptions and the nuances of individual cases.

Companion Bills

IA HSB75

Related A bill for an act relating to continuous sexual abuse of a child, and making penalties applicable.(See HF 176.)

IA HF176

Replaced by A bill for an act relating to continuous sexual abuse of a child, and making penalties applicable. (Formerly HSB 75.) Effective date: 07/01/2023.

IA SF229

Replaced by A bill for an act relating to continuous sexual abuse of a child, and making penalties applicable.(Formerly SSB 1048.)

Previously Filed As

IA HSB75

A bill for an act relating to continuous sexual abuse of a child, and making penalties applicable.(See HF 176.)

IA SF229

A bill for an act relating to continuous sexual abuse of a child, and making penalties applicable.(Formerly SSB 1048.)

IA HF176

A bill for an act relating to continuous sexual abuse of a child, and making penalties applicable. (Formerly HSB 75.) Effective date: 07/01/2023.

IA SF470

A bill for an act relating to sexual exploitation of a minor, and making penalties applicable.(Formerly SF 221.)

IA SF221

A bill for an act relating to sexual exploitation of a minor, and making penalties applicable.(See SF 470.)

IA SF14

A bill for an act creating a capital murder offense by establishing the penalty of death for murder in the first degree offenses involving kidnapping and sexual abuse offenses against the same victim who is a minor, providing penalties, and including effective date and applicability provisions.(See SF 357.)

IA SF357

A bill for an act creating a capital murder offense by establishing the penalty of death for murder in the first degree offenses involving kidnapping and sexual abuse offenses against the same victim who is a minor, providing penalties, and including effective date and applicability provisions.(Formerly SF 14.)

IA SF32

A bill for an act relating to sexual exploitation of a minor, and making penalties applicable.(See SF 150.)

IA SF2217

A bill for an act relating to sexual exploitation of a minor, and making penalties applicable.

IA SSB1097

A bill for an act relating to illegal gaming, and making penalties applicable.(See SF 395.)

Similar Bills

No similar bills found.