Iowa House Bill HF828

Iowa 2025-2026 Regular Session

• Introduced: 3/7/25
• Refer: 3/7/25

Caption

A bill for an act relating to public disclosures of certain information in the child abuse registry relating to founded reports of child abuse involving sexual abuse.

Impact

The passage of HF828 would alter existing state laws governing confidentiality in child abuse cases. Currently, most information regarding child abuse allegations is confidential, but this bill seeks to provide exceptions, allowing the public to access specific data about convicted individuals associated with founded reports. By implementing this registry, the state aims to promote transparency and accountability concerning serious offenses against children, potentially deterring future abuse by facilitating public knowledge.

Summary

House File 828, introduced by Representative R. Johnson, relates to public disclosures concerning founded reports of child abuse specifically involving sexual abuse. The bill mandates the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to create an online platform where the public can access pertinent information about individuals who are subjects of founded child abuse reports, provided these cases involve acts classified as tier II or tier III offenses under Iowa law. The platform aims to enhance public awareness and safety by offering transparency in cases of serious child abuse allegations.

Contention

There are notable points of contention surrounding HF828. Proponents argue that public access to this information could enhance community safety and deter potential offenders by making individuals aware of previous abuse cases in their vicinity. However, critics express concern regarding privacy rights and the potential for stigmatization of individuals who might have been involved in false or unfounded allegations. Furthermore, there are concerns about the balance between public safety and the protection of individual rights, particularly when it comes to sensitive information like the identity of the accused and the potential for their rehabilitation efforts to be undermined by widespread public exposure.