SSB 3161 (LSB 5221IC (4) 83)

SENATE/HOUSE FILE _____

BY  (PROPOSED CRIMINAL CODE REORGANIZATION STUDY COMMITTEE BILL)

A BILL FOR

An Act relating to the abuse of a corpse and providing penalties.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF IOWA:

    Section 1.  Section 229A.2, subsection 10, paragraph a, Code 2009, is amended to read as follows:
   a.  A violation of any provision of chapter 709, except section 709.18, subsection 2 or 3.
    Sec. 2.  Section 692A.102, subsection 1, paragraph b, Code Supplement 2009, is amended by adding the following new subparagraph:
   NEW SUBPARAGRAPH.  (130)  Sexual abuse of a corpse in violation of section 709.18.
    Sec. 3.  NEW SECTION.  708.14  Abuse of a corpse.
   1.  A person commits abuse of a human corpse if the person does any of the following:
   a.  Mutilates, disfigures, or dismembers a human corpse with the intent to conceal a crime.
   b.  Hides or buries a human corpse with the intent to conceal a crime.
   2.  A person who violates this section commits a class “D” felony.
    Sec. 4.  Section 709.18, Code 2009, is amended to read as follows:
   709.18  Abuse Sexual abuse of a corpse.
   1.  A person commits sexual abuse of a human corpse if the person knowingly and intentionally engages in a sex act, as defined in section 702.17, with a human corpse.
   2.  A person commits abuse of a human corpse if the person mutilates, disfigures, or dismembers a human corpse with the intent to conceal a crime.
   3.  A person commits abuse of a human corpse if the person hides or buries a human corpse with the intent to conceal a crime.
   4.2.  A person who violates this section commits a class “D” felony.
EXPLANATION
   This bill relates to the criminal offense of abuse of a corpse.
   The bill transfers some “abuse of a corpse” provisions from Code section 709.18 to Code chapter 708 (assault) and creates new Code section 708.14. The bill renames the “abuse of a corpse” offense remaining in Code section 709.18 as “sexual abuse of a corpse”.
   The bill requires a person who commits sexual abuse of a corpse to register as a tier II sex offender. A tier II offender must verify the offender’s relevant information with the county sheriff of the principal place of residence every six months.
   The bill does not modify the penalty classification for the criminal offense that remains in Code section 709.18 or for the criminal offenses transferred to new Code section 708.14. A person who commits a violation of the bill commits a class “D” felony.
   The bill does effect the criminal penalties applicable to the criminal offenses transferred to new Code section 708.14. Under the bill, as a result of transferring the criminal offenses to new Code section 708.14, these transferred offenses are no longer sexual offenses under Code chapter 709 and therefore not subject to a special sentence pursuant to Code section 903B.2.