US EditionHere are 11 new Iowa laws that include criminal penalties
IOWA, UNITED STATES, JUL 1 – Eleven laws expand penalties for assault, human trafficking, and gift card fraud while introducing a hands-free cellphone driving ban expected to prevent up to 595 crashes by 2033.
- Iowa passed multiple laws in the 2025 session that took effect on July 1, including a ban on hand-held cellphone use while driving under Senate File 22.
- These laws respond to concerns about impaired and distracted driving, expanding penalties for open-container THC possession and broadening definitions of human trafficking and related offenses.
- Additional provisions protect health care workers from assault, impose graduated penalties for gift card fraud, toughen firearm possession rules for felons, and address repeated offenses with escalating felony charges.
- Penalties include a $260 fine for open-container THC beverages outside the trunk, class D felonies with mandatory minimum sentences for grooming offenses, and fines between $100 and $850 for distracted driving starting January 2026.
- These laws indicate Iowa's intent to enhance enforcement and expand criminal definitions to improve public safety and offender accountability beginning July 1, 2025.
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The Valley News Today
World News11 new Iowa laws that include criminal penalties among 170 now in effect
Police officers will begin pulling over distracted drivers and charging them with a warning. Come January, offenders will be charged with a simple misdemeanor, punishable by a fine.
Hundreds of warnings issued as Iowa's hands free cellphone law starts - Radio Iowa
Several people got a personal warning as the new hands free cellphone law went into affect Tuesday. Sergeant Alex Dinkla with the Iowa State Patrol says there were 201 warnings issued on the law’s first day. “That is City, County and state law enforcement officials just out and about trying to educate the public yesterday,” […]
Iowa Bicycle Coalition launches campaign to expand road safety for Iowa cyclists
DES MOINES, Iowa -- A new law now in effect is changing Iowans' phone habits while driving. The hands-free legislation took effect on Tuesday, meaning you can no longer hold your phone, type in an address, or scroll through messages while behind the wheel. And the cycling community is calling the legislation a win for their safety. Following the implementation of the law, the Iowa Bicycle Coalition announced the launch of a new program called Sa…
Ottumwa Courier
Here are 11 new Iowa laws that include criminal penalties
Iowa drivers will be more likely to get pulled over after July 1 if they are behind the wheel with their cellphones in their hands. This new law is one of many passed by the Iowa Legislature during the 2025…
Report analyzes potential economic benefits of new hands-free driving law
Iowa’s new hands-free driving law took effect Tuesday, banning the use of handheld cellphones while driving. Photo courtesy Getty Images Iowa’s newly passed hands-free driving law went into effect Tuesday, and a report from Common …The post Report analyzes potential economic benefits of new hands-free driving law appeared first on Business Record.
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