HF 2050 (LSB 5030YH (3) 90)

HOUSE FILE 2050

BY  SHIPLEY

A BILL FOR

An Act relating to reports of false information regarding an alleged act of child abuse, family assessments, and making penalties applicable.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF IOWA:

    Section 1.  Section 232.75, subsection 3, Code 2024, is amended to read as follows:
   3.  A person who reports or causes to be reported to the department false information regarding an alleged act of child abuse, knowing that the information is false or that the act did not occur, commits a simple misdemeanor class “D” felony.
    Sec. 2.  Section 232.75, Code 2024, is amended by adding the following new subsection:
   NEW SUBSECTION.  4.  If a person who commits a violation of subsection 3 is a person responsible for the care of a child, as defined in section 232.68, subsection 8, the department shall conduct a family assessment, as defined in section 232.68, subsection 5, paragraph “c”, concerning any child in the care of the person who knowingly made the false report of alleged child abuse.
EXPLANATION
The inclusion of this explanation does not constitute agreement with
the explanation’s substance by the members of the general assembly.
   This bill relates to reports of false information regarding an alleged act of child abuse and family assessments.
   Under current law, a person who reports or causes to be reported to the department of health and human services (department) false information regarding an alleged act of child abuse, knowing that the information is false or that the act did not occur, commits a simple misdemeanor.
   The bill increases the current penalty for knowingly making a false report of alleged child abuse from a simple misdemeanor to a class “D” felony. A simple misdemeanor is punishable by confinement for no more than 30 days and a fine of at least $105 but not more than $855. A class “D” felony is punishable by confinement for no more than five years and a fine of at least $1,025 but not more than $10,245.
   The bill provides that if a person convicted of reporting or causing the report of false information regarding an alleged act of child abuse, knowing that the information is false, is a person responsible for the care of a child, as defined in Code section 232.68(8), the department shall conduct a family assessment, as defined in Code section 232.68(5)(c) concerning any child in the care of the person who knowingly made a false report of alleged child abuse.