Capitol Notebook: Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds signs pregnancy program changes, other bills into law

Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds signed a bill into law on Wednesday changing the rules for a program that funds anti-abortion pregnancy centers.

The More Options for Maternal Support (MOMS) Program was created by state lawmakers in 2022. The program has not gotten off the ground, though, as the state has struggled to find an administrator through multiple bidding opportunities.

The law, Senate File 2252, gives the state Department of Health and Human Services the option to administer the program directly rather than contracting with a provider. It also loosens some of the requirements for a provider who administers the program if the department chooses one.

The program will direct state funds to non-medically licensed centers that provide education, support and services for pregnant women and discourage abortion, often run by religious organizations.

Opponents of the centers argue they misrepresent their medical credentials and give inaccurate information. Republicans argued that the medical services provided by the centers would be overseen by state officials and they would be accountable to the HHS department.

Heightened penalties for ‘swatting,’ retail theft

Bills increasing penalties for swatting — the act of falsely reporting a crime to draw a police response — and organized retail theft were among the bills Reynolds signed into law Wednesday.

Under Senate File 2161, a person who falsely reports a violent crime to the police will be guilty of a Class D or C felony, depending on the circumstances. A false police report is currently an aggravated misdemeanor. A Class D felony is punishable by up to five years in prison, and a Class C felony by up to 10 years in prison.

Several swatting incidents were reported at Iowa schools on the same day last year, and two swatting calls were reported in two months at Jefferson High School in Cedar Rapids this year.

House File 2594, which Reynolds signed into law, creates the crime of “organized retail theft,” which targets groups of people who coordinate robberies of retail merchandise. The law seeks to address “smash and grab” crimes.

The penalty for organized retail theft ranges between an aggravated misdemeanor and a Class C felony depending on the value of property stolen.

New law goes after ‘deepfake’ child pornography

Another bill Reynolds signed into law Wednesday goes after “deepfake” pornographic images of minors.

The law, Senate File 2243, addresses images or videos created by AI or other digital means that depict an identifiable minor engaged in a sex act. The law treats the digitally created images the same as real images and videos, bringing them under the definition of child pornography.

Senate passes two-thirds approval for tax hikes

Iowa Senate lawmakers passed a proposed constitutional amendment that would require a two-thirds vote by both legislative chambers to increase income taxes on individuals and corporations.

The resolution is one of two moving through the Legislature to enshrine Iowa Republicans' tax policy into the state constitution. The other, which the Senate passed this month, would require the state to impose a flat income tax rate on individuals, rather than imposing higher rates on higher earners.

A constitutional amendment resolution must be passed by two separate general assemblies before going on an election ballot for a public vote. If it receives majority approval, it is added to the constitution. The tax amendments could appear on the 2026 general election ballot.

Cities could shut down nuisance strip clubs

Iowa cities would have the option to restrict the hours of strip clubs that present a danger to the public under a bill Iowa lawmakers sent to Gov. Kim Reynolds' desk Wednesday.

The bill was led by the city of Davenport and supported by the Iowa League of Cities and Iowa County Attorneys Association, after a string of shootings at adult establishments. It imposes the same restrictions as a law passed in 2022 that covered bars, but did not cover establishments that don't serve alcohol.

Under House File 2531, a city or county would be able to petition a court to limit the hours of an adult establishment from noon to 10 p.m. if they determine it presents a threat to public safety.

An establishment could be considered a public safety nuisance if someone fires a gun in or near the building, assaults another person with a dangerous weapon or engages in a riot more than three times within a year.

The bill passed unanimously in the House, and it is eligible to be signed into law by Reynolds.

Gazette-Lee Des Moines Bureau