Iowa 2025-2026 Regular Session

Iowa House Bill HF849

Introduced
3/7/25  

Caption

A bill for an act relating to harassment by the dissemination, publication, distribution, or posting of personal information, and making penalties applicable.(Formerly HF 201.)

Impact

If enacted, HF849 will amend existing harassment laws in Iowa, categorizing certain acts of sharing personal information as aggravated misdemeanors. This shift signifies a stricter stance against behaviors that can lead to significant distress or alarm for individuals targeted by online harassment. The bill's definition of personal information is broad, encompassing a variety of contact details and depictions, which aims to protect individuals from potential harm through unsolicited sharing of their personal data.

Summary

House File 849 seeks to address the issue of harassment through the dissemination, publication, distribution, or posting of personal information. The bill establishes that individuals can be charged with harassment if they intentionally share personal information about another person without consent with the intent to threaten or intimidate that person or to incite others to do so. This highlights the increasing recognition of the impact of digital communication on personal privacy and mental well-being in today's society.

Contention

There are notable discussions around privacy rights and the balance between freedom of expression and the need for protection against harassment. Critics of such laws might argue that the broad definition of what constitutes harassment could lead to misuse, potentially chilling free speech and limiting open discourse. Further, there could be concerns regarding the practicality of enforcement and the implications it may have for legitimate sharing of information in the public domain.

Companion Bills

IA SF35

Similar To A bill for an act relating to harassment by the dissemination, publication, distribution, or posting of personal information, and making penalties applicable.

IA HF201

Similar To A bill for an act relating to harassment by the dissemination, publication, distribution, or posting of personal information, and making penalties applicable.(See HF 849.)

Previously Filed As

IA HF2240

A bill for an act relating to harassment by the dissemination, publishing, distribution, or posting of a visual depiction showing another person in a state of full or partial nudity or engaged in a sex act that has been altered to falsely depict another person, and making penalties applicable. (Formerly HF 2048.) Effective date: 07/01/2024.

IA HF2048

A bill for an act relating to harassment by the dissemination, publishing, distribution, or posting of a visual depiction showing another person in a state of full or partial nudity or engaged in a sex act that has been altered to falsely depict another person, and making penalties applicable.(See HF 2240.)

IA SF2186

A bill for an act relating to harassment and extortion involving a person whose image was used in creating, adapting, or modifying a photograph or film, and making penalties applicable.(Formerly SSB 3004.)

IA SSB3004

A bill for an act relating to harassment and extortion involving a person whose image was used in creating, adapting, or modifying a photograph or film, and making penalties applicable.(See SF 2186.)

IA HF144

A bill for an act relating to rural emergency hospitals, including licensing requirements and fees, making penalties applicable, providing emergency rulemaking authority, and including applicability and effective date provisions.(Formerly HF 13.)

IA HF569

A bill for an act relating to the enticement and sexual exploitation of minors and the dissemination of obscene material to minors and the utilization of undercover law enforcement officers or agents posing as minors, and making penalties applicable.(Formerly HSB 203.)

IA HF175

A bill for an act relating to the taking of black bears, and making penalties applicable.(Formerly HF 89.)

IA HF651

A bill for an act relating to the ownership of dogs, making penalties applicable, and including effective date and applicability provisions. (Formerly HSB 152.)

IA HSB203

A bill for an act relating to the enticement and sexual exploitation of minors and the dissemination of obscene material to minors and the utilization of undercover law enforcement officers or agents posing as minors, and making penalties applicable.(See HF 569.)

IA SF2180

A bill for an act relating to bestiality and providing penalties.(Formerly SF 2018.)

Similar Bills

No similar bills found.