Iowa Age of Consent Laws: Statutes, Penalties and Reporting

1. A person commits sexual abuse in the third degree when the person performs a sex act under any of the following circumstances: a. The act is done by force or against the will of the other person, whether or not the other person is the person’s spouse or is cohabiting with the person. b. The act is between persons who are not at the time cohabiting as husband and wife and if any of the following are true: (1) The other person is suffering from a mental defect or incapacity which precludes giving consent. (2) The other person is fourteen or fifteen years of age and any of the following are true: (a) The person is a member of the same household as the other person. (b) The person is related to the other person by blood or affinity to the fourth degree. (c) The person is in a position of authority over the other person and uses that authority to coerce the other person to submit. (d) The person is four or more years older than the other person. c.

Official text (excerpt) · last checked 2026-07-29 · Read the full text in our law library · Verify at legis.iowa.gov

Also relied on in: Iowa Sexting Laws: Legal Consequences and Penalties, Age of Consent Laws by State: Statutes, Protections and Reporting, Iowa Background Check Laws (2026 Guide)

1. A person commits sexual abuse in the second degree when the person commits sexual abuse under any of the following circumstances: a. During the commission of sexual abuse the person displays in a threatening manner a dangerous weapon, or uses or threatens to use force creating a substantial risk of death or serious injury to any person. b. The other person is a child. c. The person is aided or abetted by one or more persons and the sex act is committed by force or against the will of the other person against whom the sex act is committed. 2. Sexual abuse in the second degree is a class “B” felony.

Official text (excerpt) · last checked 2026-07-29 · Read the full text in our law library · Verify at legis.iowa.gov

Any sex act between persons is sexual abuse by either of the persons when the act is performed with the other person in any of the following circumstances: 1. The act is done by force or against the will of the other. If the consent or acquiescence of the other is procured by threats of violence toward any person or if the act is done while the other is under the influence of a drug inducing sleep or is otherwise in a state of unconsciousness, the act is done against the will of the other. 2. Such other person is suffering from a mental defect or incapacity which precludes giving consent, or lacks the mental capacity to know the right and wrong of conduct in sexual matters. 3. Such other person is a child.

Official text (excerpt) · last checked 2026-07-29 · Read the full text in our law library · Verify at legis.iowa.gov

1. A person commits grooming when the person knowingly performs an act in person or by conduct through a third party, uses a computer, internet service, or any other electronic storage or transmission device, or uses written communication to seduce, solicit, lure, or entice, or attempt to seduce, solicit, lure, or entice, a child or a person believed to be a child to commit any unlawful sex act or to otherwise engage in unlawful sexual conduct. As used in this section, “child” means a person under eighteen years of age. 2. Grooming is a class “D” felony.

Official text (excerpt) · last checked 2026-07-29 · Read the full text in our law library · Verify at legis.iowa.gov

1. A person eighteen years of age or older is upon conviction guilty of an aggravated misdemeanor if the person commits any of the following acts with a child, not the person’s spouse, with or without the child’s consent, for the purpose of arousing or satisfying the sexual desires of either of them: a. Fondle or touch the inner thigh, groin, buttock, anus, or breast of the child. b. Touch the clothing covering the immediate area of the inner thigh, groin, buttock, anus, or breast of the child. c. Solicit or permit a child to fondle or touch the inner thigh, groin, buttock, anus, or breast of the person. d. Solicit a child to engage in any act prohibited under section 709.8, subsection 1, paragraph “a”, “b”, or “e”. 2. The provisions of this section shall also apply to a person sixteen or seventeen years of age who commits any of the enumerated acts with a child who is at least five years the person’s junior, in which case the juvenile court shall have jurisdiction under chapter 232.

Official text (excerpt) · last checked 2026-07-29 · Read the full text in our law library · Verify at legis.iowa.gov

1. a. It is unlawful for a person eighteen years of age or older who is in a position of authority over a minor to force, persuade, or coerce that minor, with or without consent, to disrobe or partially disrobe for the purpose of arousing or satisfying the sexual desires of either of them. b. A violation of this subsection is a serious misdemeanor. 2. For purposes of subsections 3 and 4, “minor” means a person fourteen or fifteen years of age. 3. a. It is unlawful for a person eighteen years of age or older who is in a position of authority over a minor to perform any of the following acts with that minor, with or without consent, for the purpose of arousing or satisfying the sexual desires of either of them: (1) Fondle or touch the inner thigh, groin, buttock, anus, or breast of the minor. (2) Touch the clothing covering the immediate area of the inner thigh, groin, buttock, anus, or breast of the minor. (3) Solicit or permit the minor to fondle or touch the inner thigh, groin, buttock, anus, or breast of the person. (4) Solicit the minor to engage in any act prohibited under subsection 4, paragraph “a”, subparagraph (1), (2), or (3). b.

Official text (excerpt) · last checked 2026-07-29 · Read the full text in our law library · Verify at legis.iowa.gov

1. As used in this section: a. “Adult providing training or instruction” means an adult who is not a school employee who provides paid training or instruction to a minor outside of a school setting. For purposes of this paragraph, “adult” is a person age eighteen years or older who is four or more years older than the minor receiving training or instruction. b. “Counselor or therapist” means a physician, psychologist, nurse, professional counselor, social worker, marriage or family therapist, alcohol or drug counselor, member of the clergy, or any other person, whether or not licensed or registered by the state, who provides or purports to provide mental health services. c. “Emotionally dependent” means that the nature of the patient’s or client’s or former patient’s or client’s emotional condition or the nature of the treatment provided by the counselor or therapist is such that the counselor or therapist knows or has reason to know that the patient or client or former patient or client is significantly impaired in the ability to withhold consent to sexual conduct, as described in subsection 2, by the counselor or therapist.

Official text (excerpt) · last checked 2026-07-29 · Read the full text in our law library · Verify at legis.iowa.gov

1. Any peace officer, or an officer, employee, contractor, vendor, volunteer, or agent of the department of corrections, or an officer, employee, or agent of a judicial district department of correctional services, who engages in a sex act with an individual committed to the custody of the department of corrections or a judicial district department of correctional services commits an aggravated misdemeanor. 2. a. Any peace officer, or an officer, employee, contractor, vendor, volunteer, or agent of a juvenile placement facility who engages in a sex act with a juvenile placed at such facility commits an aggravated misdemeanor. b. For purposes of this subsection, a “juvenile placement facility” means any of the following: (1) A child foster care facility under chapter 237. (2) Institutions controlled by the department of health and human services listed in section 218.1. (3) Juvenile detention and juvenile shelter care homes approved under section 232.142. (4) Psychiatric medical institutions for children licensed under chapter 135H. (5) Facilities for the treatment of persons with a substance use disorder as defined in section 125.2. 3.

Official text (excerpt) · last checked 2026-07-29 · Read the full text in our law library · Verify at legis.iowa.gov

1. It is unlawful for any person sixteen years of age or older to perform any of the following acts with a child with or without the child’s consent unless married to each other, for the purpose of arousing or satisfying the sexual desires of either of them: a. Fondle or touch the pubes or genitals of a child. b. Permit or cause a child to fondle or touch the person’s genitals or pubes. c. Cause the touching of the person’s genitals to any part of the body of a child. d. Solicit a child to engage in a sex act or solicit a person to arrange a sex act with a child. e. Inflict pain or discomfort upon a child or permit a child to inflict pain or discomfort on the person. 2. a. Any person who violates a provision of this section involving an act included in subsection 1, paragraph “a” through “c”, shall, upon conviction, be guilty of a class “C” felony. b. Any person who violates a provision of this section involving an act included in subsection 1, paragraph “d” or “e”, shall, upon conviction, be guilty of a class “D” felony.

Official text (excerpt) · last checked 2026-07-29 · Read the full text in our law library · Verify at legis.iowa.gov

A person, except a child as defined in section 702.5, who performs a sex act with another whom the person knows to be related to the person, either legitimately or illegitimately, as an ancestor, descendant, brother or sister of the whole or half blood, aunt, uncle, niece, or nephew, commits incest. Incest is a class “D” felony.

Official text (excerpt) · last checked 2026-07-29 · Read the full text in our law library · Verify at legis.iowa.gov

1. For purposes of this chapter, all individuals required to register shall be classified as a tier I, tier II, or tier III offender. For purposes of this chapter, sex offenses are classified into the following tiers: a. Tier I offenses include a conviction for the following sex offenses: (1) Sexual abuse in the second degree in violation of section 709.3, subsection 1, paragraph “b”, if committed by a person under the age of fourteen. (2) Sexual abuse in the third degree in violation of section 709.4, subsection 1, paragraph “a”, “c”, or “d”, if committed by a person under the age of fourteen. (3) Sexual abuse in the third degree in violation of section 709.4, subsection 1, paragraph “b”, subparagraph (1), if committed by a person under the age of fourteen. (4) Sexual abuse in the third degree in violation of section 709.4, subsection 1, paragraph “b”, subparagraph (2). (5) Grooming in violation of section 709.8A. (6) Indecent exposure in violation of section 709.9.

Official text (excerpt) · last checked 2026-07-29 · Read the full text in our law library · Verify at legis.iowa.gov

Also relied on in: Iowa Ring Doorbell Laws: What You Need to Know in 2026

1. Except as otherwise provided in section 232.54, 692A.103, or 692A.128, or this section, the duration of registration required under this chapter shall be for a period of ten years. The registration period shall begin as provided in section 692A.103. 2. A sex offender who has been sentenced to a special sentence under section 903B.1 or 903B.2, shall be required to register for a period equal to the term of the special sentence, but in no case not less than the period specified in subsection 1. 3. If a sex offender is placed on probation, parole, or work release and the probation, parole, or work release is revoked, the period of registration shall commence anew upon release from custody. 4. A sex offender who is convicted of violating any of the requirements of this chapter shall register for an additional ten years, commencing from the date the offender’s registration would have expired under subsection 1 or, in the case of an offender who has been sentenced to a special sentence under section 903B.1 or 903B.2, commencing from the date the offender’s registration would have expired under subsection 2. 5.

Official text (excerpt) · last checked 2026-07-29 · Read the full text in our law library · Verify at legis.iowa.gov

1. A sex offender may file an application in district court seeking to modify the registration requirements under this chapter. 2. For an offender whose requirement to register as a sex offender commenced prior to July 1, 2022, an application shall not be granted unless all of the following apply: a. The date of the commencement of the requirement to register occurred at least two years prior to the filing of the application for a tier I offender and five years prior to the filing of the application for a tier II or tier III offender. b. The sex offender has successfully completed all sex offender treatment programs that have been required. c. A risk assessment has been completed and the sex offender was classified as a low risk to reoffend. The risk assessment used to assess an offender as a low risk to reoffend shall be a validated risk assessment approved by the department of corrections. d. The sex offender is not incarcerated when the application is filed. e.

Official text (excerpt) · last checked 2026-07-29 · Read the full text in our law library · Verify at legis.iowa.gov

For purposes of Title XVI,* unless another age is specified, a “child” is any person under the age of fourteen years.

Official text (excerpt) · last checked 2026-07-29 · Read the full text in our law library · Verify at legis.iowa.gov

1. A person commits a class “C” felony when, without authority and with the intent to commit sexual abuse or sexual exploitation upon a minor under the age of thirteen, the person entices or attempts to entice a person reasonably believed to be under the age of thirteen including a law enforcement officer or agent posing as a minor under the age of thirteen. 2. A person commits a class “D” felony when, without authority and with the intent to commit an illegal sex act upon or sexual exploitation of a minor under the age of sixteen, the person entices or attempts to entice a person reasonably believed to be under the age of sixteen including a law enforcement officer or agent posing as a minor under the age of sixteen. 3. A person commits a class “D” felony when, without authority and with the intent to commit an illegal act upon a minor under the age of sixteen, the person entices a person reasonably believed to be under the age of sixteen including a law enforcement officer or agent posing as a minor under the age of sixteen. 4.

Official text (excerpt) · last checked 2026-07-29 · Read the full text in our law library · Verify at legis.iowa.gov

1. a. Except as provided in paragraph “b”, a person who sells or offers for sale the person’s services as a partner in a sex act commits an aggravated misdemeanor. b. If the person who sells or offers for sale the person’s services as a partner in a sex act is under the age of eighteen, the county attorney may elect, in lieu of filing a petition alleging that the person has committed a delinquent act, to refer that person to the department of health and human services for the possible filing of a petition alleging that the person is a child in need of assistance. c. If the person who sells or offers for sale the person’s services as a partner in a sex act is under the age of eighteen, upon the expiration of two years following the person’s conviction for a violation of paragraph “a” or of a similar local ordinance, the person may petition the court to expunge the conviction, and if the person has had no other criminal convictions, other than local traffic violations or simple misdemeanor violations of chapter 321 during the two-year period, the conviction shall be expunged as a matter of law.

Official text (excerpt) · last checked 2026-07-29 · Read the full text in our law library · Verify at legis.iowa.gov

1. It shall be unlawful to employ, use, persuade, induce, entice, coerce, solicit, knowingly permit, or otherwise cause or attempt to cause a minor or a law enforcement officer or agent posing as a minor to engage in a prohibited sexual act or in the simulation of a prohibited sexual act. A person must know, or have reason to know, or intend that the act or simulated act may be photographed, filmed, or otherwise preserved in a visual depiction. A person who commits a violation of this subsection commits a class “B” felony. Notwithstanding section 902.9, the court may assess a fine of not more than fifty thousand dollars for each offense under this subsection in addition to imposing any other authorized sentence. 2. It shall be unlawful to knowingly promote any material visually depicting a live performance of a minor engaging in a prohibited sexual act or in the simulation of a prohibited sexual act. A person who commits a violation of this subsection commits a class “C” felony. Notwithstanding section 902.9, the court may assess a fine of not more than twenty-five thousand dollars for each offense under this subsection in addition to imposing any other authorized sentence. 3.

Official text (excerpt) · last checked 2026-08-31 · Read the full text in our law library · Verify at legis.iowa.gov

Also relied on in: Iowa Voyeurism and Hidden Camera Laws: Iowa Code 709.21 Penalties (2026), Iowa Deepfake Laws: AI Images, Voice Cloning & Penalties (2026), Iowa Recording Laws (2026): One-Party Consent Rules

1. Upon a plea of guilty, a verdict of guilty, or a special verdict upon which a judgment of conviction of a class “A” felony may be rendered, the court shall enter a judgment of conviction and shall commit the defendant into the custody of the director of the Iowa department of corrections for the rest of the defendant’s life. Nothing in the Iowa corrections code pertaining to deferred judgment, deferred sentence, suspended sentence, or reconsideration of sentence applies to a class “A” felony, and a person convicted of a class “A” felony shall not be released on parole unless the governor commutes the sentence to a term of years. 2. a. Notwithstanding subsection 1, a defendant convicted of murder in the first degree in violation of section 707.2, and who was under the age of eighteen at the time the offense was committed shall receive one of the following sentences: (1) Commitment to the director of the department of corrections for the rest of the defendant’s life with no possibility of parole unless the governor commutes the sentence to a term of years.

Official text (excerpt) · last checked 2026-09-23 · Read the full text in our law library · Verify at legis.iowa.gov

Also relied on in: How Many Years for First Degree Murder?, How Long Is a Life Sentence in Iowa? (2026 Guide)

1. A person serving a sentence for conviction of the following felonies, including a person serving a sentence for conviction of the following felonies prior to July 1, 2003, shall be denied parole or work release unless the person has served at least seven-tenths of the maximum term of the person’s sentence: a. Murder in the second degree in violation of section 707.3. b. Attempted murder in violation of section 707.11, except as provided in section 707.11, subsection 5. c. Sexual abuse in the second degree in violation of section 709.3. d. Kidnapping in the second degree in violation of section 710.3. e. Robbery in the second degree in violation of section 711.3, except as determined in subsection 4. f. Vehicular homicide in violation of section 707.6A, subsection 1 or 2, if the person was also convicted under section 321.261, subsection 4, based on the same facts or event that resulted in the conviction under section 707.6A, subsection 1 or 2. g. Continuous sexual abuse of a child in violation of section 709.23. 2.

Official text (excerpt) · last checked 2026-07-29 · Read the full text in our law library · Verify at legis.iowa.gov

1. A person commits a class “A” felony if the person commits a second or subsequent offense involving any combination of the following offenses: a. Sexual abuse in the second degree in violation of section 709.3. b. Sexual abuse in the third degree in violation of section 709.4. c. Lascivious acts with a child in violation of section 709.8, subsection 1, paragraph “a” or “b”. d. Continuous sexual abuse of a child in violation of section 709.23. 2. In determining if a violation charged is a second or subsequent offense for purposes of criminal sentencing in this section, each previous violation on which conviction or deferral of judgment was entered prior to the date of the violation charged shall be considered and counted as a separate previous offense, regardless of whether the previous offense occurred before, on, or after July 1, 2005. Convictions or the equivalent of deferred judgments for violations in any other states under statutes substantially corresponding to the offenses listed in subsection 1 shall be counted as previous offenses.

Official text (excerpt) · last checked 2026-07-29 · Read the full text in our law library · Verify at legis.iowa.gov

1. The maximum sentence for any person convicted of a felony shall be that prescribed by statute or, if not prescribed by statute, if other than a class “A” felony shall be determined as follows: a. Reserved. b. A class “B” felon shall be confined for no more than twenty-five years. c. An habitual offender shall be confined for no more than fifteen years. d. A class “C” felon, not an habitual offender, shall be confined for no more than ten years, and in addition shall be sentenced to a fine of at least one thousand three hundred seventy dollars but not more than thirteen thousand six hundred sixty dollars. e. A class “D” felon, not an habitual offender, shall be confined for no more than five years, and in addition shall be sentenced to a fine of at least one thousand twenty-five dollars but not more than ten thousand two hundred forty-five dollars. 2. The surcharges required by sections 911.1, 911.2A, and 911.5 shall be added to a fine imposed on a class “C” or class “D” felon, as provided by those sections, and are not a part of or subject to the maximums set in this section.

Official text (excerpt) · last checked 2026-07-29 · Read the full text in our law library · Verify at legis.iowa.gov

Also relied on in: Iowa Audio Recording Laws: One-Party Consent Rules and Penalties (2026), Iowa Video Recording Laws: Where You Can and Cannot Film (2026), Iowa GPS Tracking Laws: Is It Legal to Put a Tracker on a Car? (2026)

1. If a person eighteen years of age or older is convicted of a simple or serious misdemeanor and a specific penalty is not provided for or if a person under eighteen years of age has been waived to adult court pursuant to section 232.45 on a felony charge and is subsequently convicted of a simple, serious, or aggravated misdemeanor, the court shall determine the sentence, and shall fix the period of confinement or the amount of fine, which fine shall not be suspended by the court, within the following limits: a. For a simple misdemeanor, there shall be a fine of at least one hundred five dollars but not to exceed eight hundred fifty-five dollars. The court may order imprisonment not to exceed thirty days in lieu of a fine or in addition to a fine. b. For a serious misdemeanor, there shall be a fine of at least four hundred thirty dollars but not to exceed two thousand five hundred sixty dollars. In addition, the court may also order imprisonment not to exceed one year. 2. When a person is convicted of an aggravated misdemeanor, and a specific penalty is not provided for, the maximum penalty shall be imprisonment not to exceed two years.

Official text (excerpt) · last checked 2026-07-29 · Read the full text in our law library · Verify at legis.iowa.gov

Also relied on in: Iowa Surveillance Camera Laws (2026 Guide), Iowa Hit and Run Laws: Penalties and What to Do, Iowa Employee Monitoring Laws (2026): Workplace Surveillance Rights

A person convicted of a class “C” felony or greater offense under chapter 709 or section 728.12, or a class “B” felony under section 713.3, subsection 1, paragraph “d”, shall also be sentenced, in addition to any other punishment provided by law, to a special sentence committing the person into the custody of the director of the Iowa department of corrections for the rest of the person’s life, with eligibility for parole as provided in chapter 906. The board of parole shall determine whether the person should be released on parole or placed in a work release program. The special sentence imposed under this section shall commence upon completion of the sentence imposed under any applicable criminal sentencing provisions for the underlying criminal offense and the person shall begin the sentence under supervision as if on parole or work release. The person shall be placed on the corrections continuum in chapter 901B, and the terms and conditions of the special sentence, including violations, shall be subject to the same set of procedures set out in chapters 901B, 904, 906, and 908, and rules adopted under those chapters for persons on parole or work release.

Official text (excerpt) · last checked 2026-07-29 · Read the full text in our law library · Verify at legis.iowa.gov

A person convicted of a misdemeanor or a class “D” felony offense under chapter 709, section 726.2, or section 728.12 shall also be sentenced, in addition to any other punishment provided by law, to a special sentence committing the person into the custody of the director of the Iowa department of corrections for a period of ten years, with eligibility for parole as provided in chapter 906. The board of parole shall determine whether the person should be released on parole or placed in a work release program. The special sentence imposed under this section shall commence upon completion of the sentence imposed under any applicable criminal sentencing provisions for the underlying criminal offense and the person shall begin the sentence under supervision as if on parole or work release. The person shall be placed on the corrections continuum in chapter 901B, and the terms and conditions of the special sentence, including violations, shall be subject to the same set of procedures set out in chapters 901B, 904, 906, and 908, and rules adopted under those chapters for persons on parole or work release.

Official text (excerpt) · last checked 2026-07-29 · Read the full text in our law library · Verify at legis.iowa.gov