Branstad convenes group to review Iowa's sex abuse laws

Gov. Terry Branstad says he's convened a working group to review the state's sex abuse laws in the wake of reports an elderly abuser was committed to a nursing home and offended again.

The governor says one option might be to notify residents and their families when a sex abuser is committed to a nursing home. He says officials with the Department of Human Services are reviewing sex abuse laws to determine the next step.

Branstad says he's not sure if the Legislature needs to be asked to tighten the law, or if he has the authority to make needed changes.

Branstad, who spoke Tuesday at his weekly news conference, says the working group will study the issue further, and he will seek changes to the laws if needed.