The last few of weeks in the Iowa Legislature have been geared toward working on the budget and running “bouncer bills” between the chambers. Bouncer bills are policy bills that have survived the funnel in one chamber and are having the other chamber review them (and possibly amend them) before taking a vote on the floor and then hopefully moving to the governor’s desk.
The governor has been busy signing bills into law and I am pleased to report that some of the bills that I have worked very hard on during the last couple of years, now have his signature.
The Rape Survivor Child Custody Act was a bill I authored because before now, Iowa was one of 15 states that did not provide protection for the victims of sexual assault when that assault results in the conception of a child. With the governor signing House File 2386 into law, Iowa courts now have clear parameters to terminate the parental rights of a rapist by using the “clear and convincing” evidence standard that the child he fathered was conceived through an act of sexual abuse. Victims of sexual assault have already suffered a great deal of physical and emotional trauma. This law allows these victims closure and the ability to raise her child without interaction with the assailant.
Senate File 2191 is the capstone of the additional human trafficking legislation signed into law this year. This bill creates an office of human trafficking within the Department of Public Safety. This office serves as a single point of contact by numerous government and civic organizations working against human trafficking. I am pleased that this issue is being taken seriously. Human trafficking is modern day slavery and with a central office to coordinate the effort against trafficking we are one step closer to eradicating this awful and demeaning practice.
Finally, with the governor signing Senate File 2185 this past week, the penalties for invasion of privacy (specifically window peeping) have been strengthened. Unfortunately, up to this point, most window peepers (and those who made holes in walls to peep) have often escaped any consequences for their actions due to technicalities in the law. SF 2185 enhances the definition of criminal trespassing to include acts of peeping in person or remotely through video camera and it toughens the penalties in instances where the victim is completely unclothed. Iowan’s expect to have privacy within their own four walls. Now the law stands fully behind them.
None of these issues are something discussed during polite dinner conversation, yet they represent very real situations where Iowans face potential victimization every single day. I will continue my efforts on issues that help ensure Iowans’ personal safety and security.
My next town hall forum will be Friday at Last Chance Market in Russell. If you need to get in contact with me, please call my cell 641-218-0185 or email greg.heartsill@legis.iowa.gov
Until next time, God bless.