House File 285 - Introduced HOUSE FILE 285 BY SEXTON A BILL FOR An Act relating to prostitution involving a victim of human 1 trafficking, and providing penalties. 2 BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF IOWA: 3 TLSB 2225YH (2) 91 as/js
H.F. 285 Section 1. Section 692A.102, subsection 1, paragraph c, 1 Code 2025, is amended by adding the following new subparagraph: 2 NEW SUBPARAGRAPH . (45) Prostitution in violation of 3 section 725.1, subsection 2, paragraph c . 4 Sec. 2. Section 725.1, subsection 2, paragraph a, Code 2025, 5 is amended to read as follows: 6 a. Except as provided in paragraph b paragraphs b and 7 c , a person who purchases or offers to purchase another 8 persons services as a partner in a sex act commits an 9 aggravated misdemeanor. 10 Sec. 3. Section 725.1, subsection 2, Code 2025, is amended 11 by adding the following new paragraph: 12 NEW PARAGRAPH . c. A person who purchases or offers to 13 purchase services as a partner in a sex act from a person who is 14 a victim of human trafficking, as defined in section 710A.1, 15 commits a class C felony. The persons ignorance of the 16 other persons status as a victim of human trafficking is not 17 a defense to a violation of this paragraph. Notwithstanding 18 section 902.9, subsection 1, paragraph d , a person convicted 19 under this paragraph shall be sentenced to a fine of fifty 20 thousand dollars. 21 Sec. 4. NEW SECTION . 802.2H Prostitution. 22 An information or indictment for prostitution, in violation 23 of section 725.1, subsection 2, paragraph c , shall be found 24 within ten years after the commission of the offense. 25 Sec. 5. Section 902.12, subsection 1, Code 2025, is amended 26 by adding the following new paragraph: 27 NEW PARAGRAPH . h. Prostitution in violation of section 28 725.1, subsection 2, paragraph c . 29 EXPLANATION 30 The inclusion of this explanation does not constitute agreement with 31 the explanations substance by the members of the general assembly. 32 This bill relates to prostitution involving a victim of 33 human trafficking. 34 The bill provides that a person who purchases or offers 35 -1- LSB 2225YH (2) 91 as/js 1/ 2
H.F. 285 to purchase services as a partner in a sex act from a person 1 who is a victim of human trafficking commits a class C 2 felony. Ignorance of the other persons status as a victim 3 of human trafficking is not a defense to a violation. The 4 bill provides that notwithstanding Code section 902.9(1)(d), a 5 person convicted under the bill shall be sentenced to a fine 6 of $50,000. 7 A person convicted of violating the bill must register as a 8 tier III sex offender. 9 The bill requires an information or indictment for 10 prostitution, in violation of Code section 725.1(2)(c), to be 11 found within 10 years after the commission of the offense. 12 The bill provides that a person serving a sentence for a 13 violation of the bill shall be denied parole or work release 14 unless the person has served at least seven-tenths of the 15 maximum term of the persons sentence. 16 -2- LSB 2225YH (2) 91 as/js 2/ 2