The Iowa Legislature > Publications > Search Legislative Documents > Search Result Print Icon Print
Main Search Advanced Search Topic Search Tools Disclaimer

Additional Formats

    CHAPTER 173Abuse of a corpse, interference with official acts, and failure to assistS.F. 243AN ACT relating to public safety including the crimes of failure to assist, abuse of a corpse, and interference with official acts, and providing penalties.Be It Enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Iowa:   Section 1.   Section 708.14, subsection 1, Code 2021, is amended by adding the following new paragraph:   NEW PARAGRAPH.  c.  Fails to disclose the known location of a corpse with the intent to conceal a crime.   Sec. 2.   Section 719.1, subsection 1, paragraph a, Code 2021, is amended to read as follows:   a.  A person commits interference with official acts when the person knowingly resists or obstructs anyone known by the person to be a peace officer, jailer, emergency medical care provider under chapter 147A, medical examiner, or fire fighter, whether paid or volunteer, or a person performing bailiff duties pursuant to section 602.1303, subsection 3, in the performance of any act which is within the scope of the lawful duty or authority of that officer, jailer, emergency medical care provider under chapter 147A, medical examiner, or fire fighter, whether paid or volunteer, or a person performing bailiff duties pursuant to section 602.1303, subsection 3, or who knowingly resists or obstructs the service or execution by any authorized person of any civil or criminal process or order of any court.   Sec. 3.   NEW SECTION.  727.12  Failure to assist.   1.  A person who reasonably believes another person is suffering from a risk of serious bodily injury or imminent danger of death shall, if the person is able, attempt to contact local law enforcement or local emergency response authorities, if doing so does not place the person or the other person at risk of serious bodily injury or imminent danger of death. A person shall not be required to contact local law enforcement or emergency response authorities if the person knows or reasonably believes that the other person is not in need of help or assistance.   2.  A person who violates this section without lawful cause commits the following:   a.  A simple misdemeanor if the failure to assist results in the other person suffering serious bodily injury.   b.  An aggravated misdemeanor if the failure to assist results in the death of the other person.Approved June 9, 2021