This bill amends Iowa's child endangerment laws, specifically addressing the penalties for individuals who willfully deprive children or minors of essential needs. It establishes that a person who deprives any child or minor under the age of 18, regardless of whether they have a mental or physical disability, of necessary food, clothing, shelter, health care, or appropriate supervision, and whose actions substantially harm the child's physical, mental, or emotional health, is guilty of a class C felony. Additionally, the bill clarifies that a person who commits child endangerment resulting in bodily injury to a child or minor, or who knowingly allows a child to be present in dangerous situations, is guilty of a class D felony.

Furthermore, the bill introduces a new subsection that states any person committing child endangerment not covered by the specified penalties in previous subsections is guilty of an aggravated misdemeanor. The penalties for these offenses vary, with aggravated misdemeanors punishable by up to two years of confinement and fines ranging from $855 to $8,540, while class D felonies carry a maximum of five years and fines between $1,025 and $10,245, and class C felonies can result in up to ten years of confinement and fines from $1,370 to $13,660.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 726.6