This bill establishes the criminal offense of smuggling of persons in the state of Iowa. It defines the offense as knowingly transporting a noncitizen individual for payment or anything of value, with the intent to conceal the individual from law enforcement or to evade arrest. Additionally, it includes encouraging or inducing a person to enter or remain in the United States illegally, as well as assisting multiple individuals to enter agricultural land without the owner's consent. The bill categorizes the offense as a class C felony, with escalated penalties to class B or class A felonies under certain circumstances, such as if the smuggled individual is a child, if serious bodily injury or death occurs, or if the offense involves sexual abuse.

Furthermore, the bill provides an affirmative defense for individuals charged with smuggling if they are related to the smuggled person within the second degree of consanguinity or affinity, except in cases where the offense creates a substantial likelihood of serious bodily injury or death, or results in a class A felony charge. This legislation aims to address and penalize the act of smuggling individuals, thereby enhancing law enforcement's ability to combat this issue.