Domestic Abuse Laws
Iowa
2001

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Chapter 236 "Domestic Abuse Act"
Chapter 708 "Assault"

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236.1 Short title.

This chapter may be cited as the "Domestic Abuse Act".

Section History: Early form
[C81, § 236.1]

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236.2 Definitions.

For purposes of this chapter, unless a different meaning is clearly indicated by the context:

1. "Department" means the department of justice.

2. "Domestic abuse" means committing assault as defined in section 708.1 under any of the following circumstances:

a. The assault is between family or household members who resided together at the time of the assault.

b. The assault is between separated spouses or persons divorced from each other and not residing together at the time of the assault.

c. The assault is between persons who are parents of the same minor child, regardless of whether they have been married or have lived together at any time. d. The assault is between persons who have been family or household members residing together within the past year and are not residing together at the time of the assault.

3. "Emergency shelter services" include, but are not limited to, secure crisis shelters or housing for victims of domestic abuse.

4.

a. "Family or household members" means spouses, persons cohabiting, parents, or other persons related by consanguinity or affinity.

b. "Family or household members" does not include children under age eighteen of persons listed in paragraph "a".

5. "Pro se" means a person proceeding on the person's own behalf without legal representation.

6. "Support services" include, but are not limited to, legal services, counseling services, transportation services, child care services, and advocacy services.

Section History: Early form
[C81, § 236.2]

Section History: Recent form
85 Acts, ch 175, §2; 87 Acts, ch 154, § 1; 89 Acts, ch 279, § 2, 3; 91 Acts, ch 218, §4; 93 Acts, ch 157, §1; 95 Acts, ch 180, § 7

Internal References
Referred to in § 135B.7, 236.5, 236.13, 507B.4, 598.41, 611.23, 708.2A, 804.7

Footnotes
For definition of "plaintiff", see § 236.3, subsection 2

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236.3 Commencement of actions -- waiver to juvenile court.

A person, including a parent or guardian on behalf of an unemancipated minor, may seek relief from domestic abuse by filing a verified petition in the district court. Venue shall lie where either party resides. The petition shall state the:

1. Name of the plaintiff and the name and address of the plaintiff's attorney, if any. If the plaintiff is proceeding pro se, the petition shall state a mailing address for the plaintiff. A mailing address may be provided by the plaintiff pursuant to section 236.10.

2. Name and address of the parent or guardian filing the petition, if the petition is being filed on behalf of an unemancipated minor. For the purposes of this chapter, "plaintiff" includes a person filing an action on behalf of an unemancipated minor. A mailing address may be provided by the plaintiff pursuant to section 236.10.

3. Name and address, if known, of the defendant.

4. Relationship of the plaintiff to the defendant.

5. Nature of the alleged domestic abuse.

6. Name and age of each child under eighteen whose welfare may be affected by the controversy.

7. Desired relief, including a request for temporary or emergency orders.

If the plaintiff files an affidavit stating that the plaintiff does not have sufficient funds to pay the cost of filing and service, the petition shall be filed and service shall be made without payment of costs. If a petition is filed and service is made without payment of costs, the court shall determine at the hearing if the payment of costs would prejudice the plaintiff's financial ability to provide economic necessities for the plaintiff or the plaintiff's dependents. If the court finds that the payment of costs would not prejudice the plaintiff's financial ability to provide economic necessities for the plaintiff or the plaintiff's dependents, the court may order the plaintiff to pay the costs of filing and service. However, in making the determinations, the court shall not consider funds no longer available to the plaintiff as a result of the commencement of the action.

If the person against whom relief from domestic abuse is being sought is seventeen years of age or younger, the district court shall waive its jurisdiction over the action to the juvenile court.

Section History: Early form
[C81, § 236.3]

Section History: Recent form
85 Acts, ch 175, § 3; 86 Acts, ch 1237, § 12; 91 Acts, ch 218, §5; 95 Acts, ch 180, § 8-10; 96 Acts, ch 1034, § 12; 2000 Acts, ch 1119, §1

Internal References
Referred to in § 232.8, 236.3A, 236.6, 236.19, 598.41, 915.50

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236.3A Plaintiffs proceeding pro se--provision of forms and assistance.

1. The department shall prescribe standard forms to be used by plaintiffs seeking protective orders by proceeding pro se in actions under this chapter. The standard forms shall include language in fourteen-point boldface type, with a box which may be checked by the plaintiff, indicating that the plaintiff wishes to proceed by filing an affidavit pursuant to section 236.3, because the plaintiff does not have sufficient funds to pay the cost of filing and service. Standard forms prescribed by the department shall be the exclusive forms used by plaintiffs proceeding pro se, and may be used by other plaintiffs. The department shall distribute the forms to the clerks of the district courts.

2. The clerk of the district court shall furnish the required forms to persons seeking protective orders through pro se proceedings pursuant to this chapter.

Section History: Recent form
91 Acts, ch 218, §6

Internal References
Referred to in § 232.8, 915.50

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236.3B Assistance by county attorney.

A county attorney's office may provide assistance to a person wishing to initiate proceedings pursuant to this chapter or to a plaintiff at any stage of a proceeding under this chapter, if the individual does not have sufficient funds to pay for legal assistance and if the assistance does not create a conflict of interest for the county attorney's office. The assistance provided may include, but is not limited to, assistance in obtaining or completing forms, filing a petition or other necessary pleading, presenting evidence to the court, and enforcing the orders of the court entered pursuant to this chapter. Providing assistance pursuant to this section shall not be considered the private practice of law for the purposes of section 331.752.

Section History: Recent form
93 Acts, ch 157, §2

Internal References
Referred to in § 232.8, 915.50

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236.4 Hearings--temporary orders.

1. Not less than five and not more than fifteen days after commencing a proceeding and upon notice to the other party, a hearing shall be held at which the plaintiff must prove the allegation of domestic abuse by a preponderance of the evidence.

2. The court may enter any temporary order it deems necessary to protect the plaintiff from domestic abuse prior to the hearing, upon good cause shown in an ex parte proceeding. Present danger of domestic abuse to the plaintiff constitutes good cause for purposes of this subsection.

3. If a hearing is continued, the court may make or extend any temporary order under subsection 2 that it deems necessary.

4. Upon application of a party, the court shall issue subpoenas requiring attendance and testimony of witnesses and production of papers.

5. The court shall advise the defendant of a right to be represented by counsel of the defendant's choosing and to have a continuance to secure counsel.

6. Hearings shall be recorded.

Section History: Early form
[C81, § 236.4]

Section History: Recent form
93 Acts, ch 157, §3

Internal References
Referred to in § 232.8, 236.6, 602.8108, 915.50

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236.5 Disposition.

Upon a finding that the defendant has engaged in domestic abuse:

1. The court may order that the plaintiff, the defendant, and the children who are members of the household receive professional counseling, either from a private source approved by the court or from a source appointed by the court. Costs of counseling shall be paid in full or in part by the parties and taxed as court costs. If the court determines that the parties are unable to pay the costs, they may be paid in full or in part from the county treasury.

2. The court may grant a protection order or approve a consent agreement which may contain but is not limited to any of the following provisions:

a. That the defendant cease domestic abuse of the plaintiff.

b. That the defendant grant possession of the residence to the plaintiff to the exclusion of the defendant or that the defendant provide suitable alternate housing for the plaintiff.

c. That the defendant stay away from the plaintiff's residence, school, or place of employment.

d. The awarding of temporary custody of or establishing temporary visitation rights with regard to children under eighteen. In awarding temporary custody or temporary visitation rights, the court shall give primary consideration to the safety of the victim and the children. If the court finds that the safety of the victim or the children will be jeopardized by unsupervised or unrestricted visitation, the court shall condition or restrict visitation as to time, place, duration, or supervision, or deny visitation entirely, as needed to guard the safety of the victim and the children. The court shall also investigate whether any other existing orders awarding custody or visitation rights should be modified.

e. Unless prohibited pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1738B, that the defendant pay the clerk a sum of money for the separate support and maintenance of the plaintiff and children under eighteen.

An order for counseling, a protection order, or approved consent agreement shall be for a fixed period of time not to exceed one year. The court may amend or extend its order or a consent agreement at any time upon a petition filed by either party and after notice and hearing. The court may extend the order if the court, after hearing at which the defendant has the opportunity to be heard, finds that the defendant continues to pose a threat to the safety of the victim, persons residing with the victim, or members of the victim's immediate family. At the time of the extension, the parties need not meet the requirement in section 236.2, subsection 2, paragraph "d", that the parties lived together during the last year if the parties met the requirements of section 236.2, subsection 2, paragraph "d", at the time of the original order. The number of extensions that can be granted by the court is not limited.

The order shall state whether a person is to be taken into custody by a peace officer for a violation of the terms stated in the order.

3. The court may order that the defendant pay the plaintiff's attorneys fees and court costs.

4. An order or consent agreement under this section shall not affect title to real property.

5. A copy of any order or approved consent agreement shall be issued to the plaintiff, the defendant, the county sheriff having jurisdiction to enforce the order or consent agreement, and the twenty-four hour dispatcher for the county sheriff. Any subsequent amendment or revocation of an order or consent agreement shall be forwarded by the clerk to all individuals and the county sheriff previously notified. The clerk shall notify the county sheriff and the twenty-four hour dispatcher for the county sheriff in writing so that the county sheriff and the county sheriff's dispatcher receive written notice within six hours of filing the order, approved consent agreement, amendment, or revocation. The clerk may fulfill this requirement by sending the notice by facsimile or other electronic transmission which reproduces the notice in writing within six hours of filing the order. The county sheriff's dispatcher shall notify all law enforcement agencies having jurisdiction over the matter and the twenty-four hour dispatcher for the law enforcement agencies upon notification by the clerk.

Section History: Early form
[C81, § 236.5]

Section History: Recent form
83 Acts, ch 123, § 93, 209; 86 Acts, ch 1179, § 1; 87 Acts, ch 154, § 2, 3; 89 Acts, ch 85, §1; 91 Acts, ch 218, §7, 8; 91 Acts, ch 219, §3; 93 Acts, ch 157, §4; 95 Acts, ch 180, § 11; 96 Acts, ch 1019, § 1; 97 Acts, ch 175, § 228; 99 Acts, ch 57, §1

Internal References
Referred to in § 236.6, 236.14, 236.19, 331.424, 598.41, 598.42, 708.2A, 708.12, 915.22, 915.50

Footnotes
For restrictions concerning issuance of mutual protective orders, see § 236.20

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236.6 Emergency orders.

1. When the court is unavailable from the close of business at the end of the day or week to the resumption of business at the beginning of the day or week, a petition may be filed before a district judge, or district associate judge designated by the chief judge of the judicial district, who may grant emergency relief in accordance with section 236.5, subsection 2 if the district judge or district associate judge deems it necessary to protect the plaintiff from domestic abuse, upon good cause shown in an ex parte proceeding. Present danger of domestic abuse to the plaintiff constitutes good cause for purposes of this subsection.

2. An emergency order issued under subsection 1 shall expire seventy-two hours after issuance. When the order expires, the plaintiff may seek a temporary order from the court pursuant to section 236.4.

3. A petition filed and emergency order issued under this section and any documentation in support of the petition and order shall be immediately certified to the court. The certification shall commence a proceeding for purposes of section 236.3.

Section History: Early form
[C81, § 236.6]

Internal References
Referred to in § 232.8, 598.41, 915.50

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236.7 Procedure.

1. A proceeding under this chapter shall be held in accordance with the rules of civil procedure, except as otherwise set forth in this chapter, and is in addition to any other civil or criminal remedy.

2. The plaintiff's right to relief under this chapter is not affected by leaving the residence or household to avoid domestic abuse.

Section History: Early form
[C81, § 236.7]

Internal References
Referred to in §915.50

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236.8 Violation of order--contempt--penalties--hearings.

A person commits a simple misdemeanor or the court may hold a person in contempt for a violation of an order or court- approved consent agreement entered under this chapter, for violation of a temporary or permanent protective order or order to vacate the homestead under chapter 598, for violation of any order that establishes conditions of release or is a protective order or sentencing order in a criminal prosecution arising from a domestic abuse assault, or for violation by an adult of a protective order under chapter 232. If convicted or held in contempt, the defendant shall serve a jail sentence. Any jail sentence of more than one day imposed under this section shall be served on consecutive days. A defendant who is held in contempt or convicted may be ordered by the court to pay the plaintiff's attorney fees and court costs incurred in the proceedings under this section.

A hearing in a contempt proceeding brought pursuant to this section shall be held not less than five and not more than fifteen days after the issuance of a rule to show cause, as set by the court.

A person shall not be convicted of and held in contempt for the same violation of an order or court-approved consent agreement entered under this chapter, for the same violation of a temporary or permanent protective order or order to vacate the homestead under chapter 598, for violation of any order that establishes conditions of release or is a protective order or sentencing order in a criminal prosecution arising from a domestic abuse assault, or for violation of a protective order under chapter 232.

Section History: Early form
[C81, § 236.8]

Section History: Recent form
87 Acts, ch 154, §4; 88 Acts, ch 1065, §1; 88 Acts, ch 1218, §17, 18; 91 Acts, ch 218, §9; 93 Acts, ch 157, §5; 95 Acts, ch 180, § 12; 96 Acts, ch 1134, § 3

Internal References
Referred to in § 598.41, 907.3, 915.50

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236.9 Domestic abuse information.

Criminal or juvenile justice agencies, as defined in section 692.1, shall collect and maintain information on incidents involving domestic abuse and shall provide the information to the department of public safety in the manner prescribed by the department of public safety.

The department of public safety may compile statistics and issue reports on domestic abuse in Iowa, provided individual identifying details of the domestic abuse are deleted. The statistics and reports may include nonidentifying information on the personal characteristics of perpetrators and victims. The department of public safety may request the cooperation of the department of justice in compiling the statistics and issuing the reports. The department of public safety may provide nonidentifying information on individual incidents of domestic abuse to persons conducting bona fide research, including but not limited to personnel of the department of justice.

Section History: Early form
[C81, § 236.9]

Section History: Recent form
83 Acts, ch 96, § 157, 159; 85 Acts, ch 175, §4; 89 Acts, ch 279, §4; 91 Acts, ch 19, §1; 96 Acts, ch 1034, § 13

Internal References
Referred to in §915.50

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236.10 Plaintiff's address--confidentiality of records.

1. A person seeking relief from domestic abuse under this chapter may use any of the following addresses as a mailing address for purposes of filing a petition under this chapter, as well as for the purpose of obtaining any utility or other service:

a. The mailing address of a shelter or other agency.

b. A public or private post office box.

c. Any other mailing address, with the permission of the resident of that address.

2. A person shall report any change of address, whether designated according to subsection 1 or otherwise, to the clerk of court no more than five days after the previous address on record becomes invalid.

3. The entire file or a portion of the file in a domestic abuse case shall be sealed by the clerk of court as ordered by the court to protect the privacy interest or safety of any person.

4. Notwithstanding subsection 3, court orders and support payment records shall remain public records, although the court may order that address and location information be redacted from the public records.

Section History: Early form
[C81, § 236.10]

Section History: Recent form
97 Acts, ch 175, §229; 98 Acts, ch 1170, §1; 2000 Acts, ch 1119, §2; 2000 Acts, ch 1132, §1

Internal References
Referred to in § 236.3, 915.50

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236.11 Duties of peace officer--magistrate.

A peace officer shall use every reasonable means to enforce an order or court-approved consent agreement entered under this chapter, a temporary or permanent protective order or order to vacate the homestead under chapter 598, an order that establishes conditions of release or is a protective order or sentencing order in a criminal prosecution arising from a domestic abuse assault, or a protective order under chapter 232. If a peace officer has reason to believe that domestic abuse has occurred, the peace officer shall ask the abused person if any prior orders exist, and shall contact the twenty-four hour dispatcher to inquire if any prior orders exist. If a peace officer has probable cause to believe that a person has violated an order or approved consent agreement entered under this chapter, a temporary or permanent protective order or order to vacate the homestead under chapter 598, an order establishing conditions of release or a protective or sentencing order in a criminal prosecution arising from a domestic abuse assault, or, if the person is an adult, a violation of a protective order under chapter 232, the peace officer shall take the person into custody and shall take the person without unnecessary delay before the nearest or most accessible magistrate in the judicial district in which the person was taken into custody. The magistrate shall make an initial preliminary determination whether there is probable cause to believe that an order or consent agreement existed and that the person taken into custody has violated its terms. The magistrate's decision shall be entered in the record.

If a peace officer has probable cause to believe that a person has violated an order or approved consent agreement entered under this chapter, a temporary or permanent protective order or order to vacate the homestead under chapter 598, an order establishing conditions of release or a protective or sentencing order in a criminal prosecution arising from a domestic abuse assault, or a protective order under chapter 232, and the peace officer is unable to take the person into custody within twenty-four hours of making the probable cause determination, the peace officer shall either request a magistrate to make a determination as to whether a rule to show cause or arrest warrant should be issued, or refer the matter to the county attorney.

If the magistrate finds probable cause, the magistrate shall order the person to appear before the court which issued the original order or approved the consent agreement, whichever was allegedly violated, at a specified time not less than five days nor more than fifteen days after the initial appearance under this section. The magistrate shall cause the original court to be notified of the contents of the magistrate's order.

A peace officer shall not be held civilly or criminally liable for acting pursuant to this section provided that the peace officer acts in good faith, on probable cause, and the officer's acts do not constitute a willful and wanton disregard for the rights or safety of another.

Section History: Early form
[C81, § 236.11]

Section History: Recent form
86 Acts, ch 1179, § 2; 87 Acts, ch 154, §5; 88 Acts, ch 1065, §2; 88 Acts, ch 1218, §17, 18; 91 Acts, ch 218, §10; 93 Acts, ch 157, §6; 96 Acts, ch 1134, § 4

Internal References
Referred to in § 236.14

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236.12 Prevention of further abuse--notification of rights--arrest--liability.

1. If a peace officer has reason to believe that domestic abuse has occurred, the officer shall use all reasonable means to prevent further abuse including but not limited to the following:

a. If requested, remaining on the scene as long as there is a danger to an abused person's physical safety without the presence of a peace officer, including but not limited to staying in the dwelling unit, or if unable to remain on the scene, assisting the person in leaving the residence.

b. Assisting an abused person in obtaining medical treatment necessitated by an assault, including providing assistance to the abused person in obtaining transportation to the emergency room of the nearest hospital.

c. Providing an abused person with immediate and adequate notice of the person's rights. The notice shall consist of handing the person a copy of the following statement written in English and Spanish, asking the person to read the card and whether the person understands the rights:

(1) Keeping your attacker away from you, your home and your place of work.
(2) The right to stay at your home without interference from your attacker.
(3) Getting custody of children and obtaining support for yourself and your minor children if your attacker is legally required to provide such support.
(4) Professional counseling for you, the children who are members of the household, and the defendant.

"You have the right to ask the court for the following help on a temporary basis:

You have the right to seek help from the court to seek a protective order with or without the assistance of legal representation. You have the right to seek help from the courts without the payment of court costs if you do not have sufficient funds to pay the costs. You have the right to file criminal charges for threats, assaults, or other related crimes. You have the right to seek restitution against your attacker for harm to yourself or your property. If you are in need of medical treatment, you have the right to request that the officer present assist you in obtaining transportation to the nearest hospital or otherwise assist you. If you believe that police protection is needed for your physical safety, you have the right to request that the officer present remain at the scene until you and other affected parties can leave or until safety is otherwise ensured."

The notice shall also contain the telephone numbers of safe shelters, support groups, or crisis lines operating in the area.

2.

a. A peace officer may, with or without a warrant, arrest a person under section 708.2A, subsection 2, paragraph "a", if, upon investigation, including a reasonable inquiry of the alleged victim and other witnesses, if any, the officer has probable cause to believe that a domestic abuse assault has been committed which did not result in any injury to the alleged victim.

b. Except as otherwise provided in subsection 3, a peace officer shall, with or without a warrant, arrest a person under section 708.2A, subsection 2, paragraph "b", if, upon investigation, including a reasonable inquiry of the alleged victim and other witnesses, if any, the officer has probable cause to believe that a domestic abuse assault has been committed which resulted in the alleged victim's suffering a bodily injury.

c. Except as otherwise provided in subsection 3, a peace officer shall, with or without a warrant, arrest a person under section 708.2A, subsection 2, paragraph "c", if, upon investigation, including a reasonable inquiry of the alleged victim and other witnesses, if any, the officer has probable cause to believe that a domestic abuse assault has been committed with the intent to inflict a serious injury.

d. Except as otherwise provided in subsection 3, a peace officer shall, with or without a warrant, arrest a person under section 708.2A, subsection 2, paragraph "c", if, upon investigation, including a reasonable inquiry of the alleged victim and other witnesses, if any, the officer has probable cause to believe that a domestic abuse assault has been committed and that the alleged abuser used or displayed a dangerous weapon in connection with the assault.

3. As described in subsection 2, paragraph "b", "c", or "d", the peace officer shall arrest the person whom the peace officer believes to be the primary physical aggressor. The duty of the officer to arrest extends only to those persons involved who are believed to have committed an assault. Persons acting with justification, as defined in section 704.3, are not subject to mandatory arrest. In identifying the primary physical aggressor, a peace officer shall consider the need to protect victims of domestic abuse, the relative degree of injury or fear inflicted on the persons involved, and any history of domestic abuse between the persons involved. A peace officer's identification of the primary physical aggressor shall not be based on the consent of the victim to any subsequent prosecution or on the relationship of the persons involved in the incident, and shall not be based solely upon the absence of visible indications of injury or impairment.

4. A peace officer is not civilly or criminally liable for actions pursuant to this section taken in good faith.

Section History: Recent form
84 Acts, ch 1258, § 1; 85 Acts, ch 175, § 5; 86 Acts, ch 1179, § 3; 87 Acts, ch 154, § 6; 89 Acts, ch 85, § 2; 90 Acts, ch 1056, § 1, 2; 91 Acts, ch 218, § 11; 92 Acts, ch 1163, § 52

Internal References
Referred to in § 236.14, 236.16, 236.17, 804.7, 915.50

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236.13 Prohibition against referral.

In a criminal action arising from domestic abuse, as defined in section 236.2, the prosecuting attorney or court shall not refer or order the parties involved to mediation or other nonjudicial procedures prior to judicial resolution of the action.

Section History: Recent form
86 Acts, ch 1179, § 4

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236.14 Initial appearance required--contact to be prohibited--extension of no-contact order.

1. Notwithstanding chapters 804 and 805, a person taken into custody pursuant to section 236.11 or arrested pursuant to section 236.12 may be released on bail or otherwise only after an initial appearance before a magistrate as provided in chapter 804 and the rules of criminal procedure or section 236.11, whichever is applicable.

2. When a person arrested for a domestic abuse assault, or taken into custody for contempt proceedings pursuant to section 236.11, is brought before a magistrate and the magistrate finds probable cause to believe that domestic abuse or a violation of an order or consent agreement has occurred and that the presence of the alleged abuser in the victim's residence poses a threat to the safety of the alleged victim, persons residing with the alleged victim, or members of the alleged victim's immediate family, the magistrate shall enter an order which shall require the alleged abuser to have no contact with the alleged victim, persons residing with the alleged victim, or members of the alleged victim's immediate family, and to refrain from harassing the alleged victim, persons residing with the alleged victim, or members of the alleged victim's immediate family, in addition to any other conditions of release determined and imposed by the magistrate under section 811.2. A no-contact order requiring the alleged abuser to have no contact with the alleged victim's children shall prevail over any existing order awarding custody or visitation rights, which may be in conflict with the no-contact order.

The court order shall contain the court's directives restricting the defendant from having contact with the victim or the victim's relatives.

The clerk of the court or other person designated by the court shall provide a copy of this order to the victim pursuant to chapter 915. The order has force and effect until it is modified or terminated by subsequent court action in the contempt proceeding or the criminal or juvenile court action and is reviewable in the manner prescribed in section 811.2. If a defendant is convicted for, receives a deferred judgment for, or pleads guilty to a violation of section 708.2A, the court shall modify the no-contact order issued by the magistrate to provide that the no-contact order shall continue in effect for a period of one year from the date that the judgment is entered or the deferred judgment is granted, regardless of whether the defendant is placed on probation. Upon an application by the state which is filed within ninety days prior to the expiration of the modified no-contact order, the court shall modify and extend the no-contact order for an additional period of one year, if the court finds that the defendant continues to pose a threat to the safety of the victim, persons residing with the victim, or members of the victim's immediate family. The number of modifications extending the no-contact order permitted by this subsection is not limited.

The clerk of the district court shall also provide notice and copies of the no-contact order to the applicable law enforcement agencies and the twenty-four hour dispatcher for the law enforcement agencies, in the manner provided for protective orders under section 236.5. The clerk shall provide notice and copies of modifications or vacations of these orders in the same manner.

Violation of this no-contact order, including modified no- contact orders, is punishable by summary contempt proceedings. A hearing in a contempt proceeding brought pursuant to this section shall be held not less than five and not more than fifteen days after the issuance of a rule to show cause, as set by the court. If held in contempt for violation of a no- contact order or a modified no-contact order, the person shall be confined in the county jail for a minimum of seven days. A jail sentence imposed pursuant to this paragraph shall be served on consecutive days. No portion of the mandatory minimum term of confinement imposed by this section shall be deferred or suspended. A deferred judgment, deferred sentence, or suspended sentence shall not be entered for violation of a no-contact order or a modified no-contact order, and the court shall not impose a fine in lieu of the minimum sentence, although a fine may be imposed in addition to the minimum sentence.

3. This section shall not be construed to limit a pretrial release order issued pursuant to chapter 811.

Section History: Recent form
87 Acts, ch 154, § 7; 91 Acts, ch 218, § 12; 91 Acts, ch 219, § 4; 92 Acts, ch 1163, § 53; 93 Acts, ch 157, §7, 8; 94 Acts, ch 1093, §1; 98 Acts, ch 1090, §66, 84

Internal References
Referred to in § 708.2A, 907.3, 915.50

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236.15 Application for designation and funding as a provider of services for victims of domestic abuse.

Upon receipt of state or federal funding designated for victims of domestic abuse by the department, a public or private nonprofit organization may apply to the department for designation and funding as a provider of emergency shelter services and support services to victims of domestic abuse or sexual assault. The application shall be submitted on a form prescribed by the department and shall include, but not be limited to, information regarding services to be provided, budget, and security measures.

Section History: Recent form
85 Acts, ch 175, §6; 89 Acts, ch 279, §5; 91 Acts, ch 218, §13

Internal References
Referred to in § 915.94

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236.15A Income tax checkoff for domestic abuse services.

Repealed by 97 Acts, ch 158, § 48; 97 Acts, ch 209, § 13, 15. See § 236.15B.

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236.15B Income tax checkoff for domestic abuse services.

A person who files an individual or a joint income tax return with the department of revenue and finance under section 422.13 may designate any amount to be paid to the general fund of the state and used for the purposes of providing emergency shelter services, support services, and other services to victims of domestic abuse or sexual assault. If the refund due on the return or the payment remitted with the return is insufficient to pay the additional amount designated by the taxpayer to be used for the purposes of providing services to victims of domestic abuse or sexual assault, the amount designated shall be reduced to the remaining amount of refund or the remaining amount remitted with the return.

It is the intent of the general assembly that the funds generated from the checkoff be appropriated and used for the purposes of providing services to victims of domestic abuse or sexual assault.

The director of revenue and finance shall draft the income tax form to allow the designation of contributions to be used for the purposes of providing services to victims of domestic abuse or sexual assault on the tax return.

The department of revenue and finance on or before January 31 of the calendar year following the calendar year in which the tax returns were filed shall certify the total amount designated on the tax return forms due in the preceding calendar year and shall report the amount to the treasurer of state.

The department of revenue and finance shall consult the crime victim assistance board concerning the adoption of rules to implement this section. However, before a checkoff pursuant to this section shall be permitted, all liabilities on the books of the department of revenue and finance and accounts identified as owing under section 421.17 and the political contribution allowed under section 56.18 shall be satisfied.

Section History: Recent form
97 Acts, ch 209, §12

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236.16 Department powers and duties.

1. The department shall:

a. Designate and award grants for existing and pilot programs pursuant to this chapter to provide emergency shelter services and support services to victims of domestic abuse.

b. Design and implement a uniform method of collecting data from domestic abuse organizations funded under this chapter.

c. Designate and award moneys for publicizing and staffing a statewide, toll-free telephone hotline for use by victims of domestic abuse. The department may award a grant to a public agency or a private, nonprofit organization for the purpose of operating the hotline. The operation of the hotline shall include informing victims of their rights and of various community services that are available, referring victims to service providers, receiving complaints concerning misconduct by peace officers and encouraging victims to refer such complaints to the office of citizens' aide, providing counseling services to victims over the telephone, and providing domestic abuse victim advocacy.

d. Advertise the toll-free telephone hotline through the use of public service announcements, billboards, print and broadcast media services, and other appropriate means, and contact media organizations to encourage the provision of free or inexpensive advertising concerning the hotline and its services.

e. Develop, with the assistance of the entity operating the telephone hotline and other domestic abuse victim services providers, brochures explaining the rights of victims set forth under section 236.12 and the services of the telephone hotline, and distribute the brochures to law enforcement agencies, victim service providers, health practitioners, charitable and religious organizations, and other entities that may have contact with victims of domestic abuse.

2. The department shall consult and cooperate with all public and private agencies which may provide services to victims of domestic abuse, including but not limited to, legal services, social services, prospective employment opportunities, and unemployment benefits.

3. The department may accept, use, and dispose of contributions of money, services, and property made available by an agency or department of the state or federal government, or a private agency or individual.

Section History: Recent form
85 Acts, ch 175, §7; 89 Acts, ch 279, §6; 91 Acts, ch 218, §15

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236.17 Domestic abuse training requirements.

The department, in cooperation with victim service providers, shall work with various professional organizations to encourage organizations to establish training programs for professionals who work in the area of domestic abuse prevention and services. Domestic abuse training may include, but is not limited to, the following areas:

1. The enforcement of both civil and criminal remedies in domestic abuse matters.

2. The nature, extent, and causes of domestic abuse.

3. The legal rights and remedies available to domestic abuse victims, including crime victim compensation.

4. Services available to domestic abuse victims and their children, including the domestic abuse telephone hotline.

5. The mandatory arrest provisions of section 236.12, and other duties of peace officers pursuant to this chapter.

6. Techniques for intervention in domestic abuse cases.

Section History: Recent form
91 Acts, ch 218, §16; 91 Acts, ch 219, §33

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236.18 Reference to certain criminal provisions.

In addition to the criminal penalties contained in this chapter, certain criminal penalties and provisions pertaining to domestic abuse assaults are set forth in sections 708.2A and 708.2B.

Section History: Recent form
91 Acts, ch 218, §17

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236.19 Foreign protective orders--registration--enforcement.

1. As used in this section, "foreign protective order" means a protective order entered by a court of another state, Indian tribe, or United States territory that would be an order or court-approved consent agreement entered under this chapter, a temporary or permanent protective order or order to vacate the homestead under chapter 598, or an order that establishes conditions of release or is a protective order or sentencing order in a criminal prosecution arising from a domestic abuse assault if it had been entered in Iowa.

2. A certified or authenticated copy of a permanent foreign protective order may be filed with the clerk of the district court in any county that would have venue if the original action was being commenced in this state or in which the person in whose favor the order was entered may be present.

a. The clerk shall file foreign protective orders that are not certified or authenticated, if supported by an affidavit of a person with personal knowledge, subject to the penalties for perjury. The person protected by the order may provide this affidavit.

b. The clerk shall provide copies of the order as required by section 236.5, except that notice shall not be provided to the respondent without the express written direction of the person in whose favor the order was entered.

3. a. A valid foreign protective order has the same effect and shall be enforced in the same manner as a protective order issued in this state whether or not filed with a clerk of court or otherwise placed in a registry of protective orders.

b. A foreign protective order is valid if it meets all of the following:

(1) The order states the name of the protected individual and the individual against whom enforcement is sought.

(2) The order has not expired.

(3) The order was issued by a court or tribunal that had jurisdiction over the parties and subject matter under the law of the foreign jurisdiction.

(4) The order was issued in accordance with the respondent's due process rights, either after the respondent was provided with reasonable notice and an opportunity to be heard before the court or tribunal that issued the order, or in the case of an ex parte order, the respondent was granted notice and opportunity to be heard within a reasonable time after the order was issued.

c. Proof that a foreign protective order failed to meet all of the factors listed in paragraph "b" shall be an affirmative defense in any action seeking enforcement of the order.

4. A peace officer shall treat a foreign protective order as a valid legal document and shall make an arrest for a violation of the foreign protective order in the same manner that a peace officer would make an arrest for a violation of a protective order issued within this state.

a. The fact that a foreign protective order has not been filed with the clerk of court or otherwise placed in a registry shall not be grounds to refuse to enforce the terms of the order unless it is apparent to the officer that the order is invalid on its face.

b. A peace officer acting reasonably and in good faith in connection with the enforcement of a foreign protective order shall be immune from civil and criminal liability in any action arising in connection with such enforcement.

5. Filing and service costs in connection with foreign protective orders may be waived or deferred as provided in section 236.3.

Section History: Recent form
95 Acts, ch 180, §13; 99 Acts, ch 57, §2; 2000 Acts, ch 1132, §2

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236.20 Mutual protective orders prohibited--exceptions.

A court in an action under this chapter shall not issue mutual protective orders against the victim and the abuser unless both file a petition requesting a protective order.

Section History: Recent form
95 Acts, ch 180, §14

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708.2A Domestic abuse assault--mandatory minimums, penalties enhanced--extension of no-contact order.

1. For the purposes of this chapter, "domestic abuse assault" means an assault, as defined in section 708.1, which is domestic abuse as defined in section 236.2.

2. On a first offense of domestic abuse assault, the person commits:

a. A simple misdemeanor for a domestic abuse assault, except as otherwise provided.

b. A serious misdemeanor, if the domestic abuse assault causes bodily injury or mental illness.

c. An aggravated misdemeanor, if the domestic abuse assault is committed with the intent to inflict a serious injury upon another, or if the person uses or displays a dangerous weapon in connection with the assault. This paragraph does not apply if section 708.6 or 708.8 applies.

3. Except as otherwise provided in subsection 2, on a second domestic abuse assault, a person commits:

a. A serious misdemeanor, if the first offense was classified as a simple misdemeanor, and the second offense would otherwise be classified as a simple misdemeanor.

b. An aggravated misdemeanor, if the first offense was classified as a simple or aggravated misdemeanor, and the second offense would otherwise be classified as a serious misdemeanor, or the first offense was classified as a serious or aggravated misdemeanor, and the second offense would otherwise be classified as a simple or serious misdemeanor.

4. On a third or subsequent offense of domestic abuse assault, a person commits a class "D" felony.

5.

a. A conviction for, deferred judgment for, or plea of guilty to, a violation of this section which occurred more than six years prior to the date of the violation charged shall not be considered in determining that the violation charged is a second or subsequent offense.

b. For the purpose of determining if a violation charged is a second or subsequent offense, deferred judgments issued pursuant to section 907.3 for violations of section 708.2 or this section, which were issued on domestic abuse assaults, and convictions or the equivalent of deferred judgments for violations in any other states under statutes substantially corresponding to this section shall be counted as previous offenses. The courts shall judicially notice the statutes of other states which define offenses substantially equivalent to the offenses defined in this section and can therefore be considered corresponding statutes. Each previous violation on which conviction or deferral of judgment was entered prior to the date of the offense charged shall be considered and counted as a separate previous offense.

c. An offense shall be considered a prior offense regardless of whether it was committed upon the same victim.

6.

a. A person convicted of violating subsection 2 or 3 shall serve a minimum term of two days of the sentence imposed by law, and shall not be eligible for suspension of the minimum sentence. The minimum term shall be served on consecutive days. The court shall not impose a fine in lieu of the minimum sentence, although a fine may be imposed in addition to the minimum sentence. This section does not prohibit the court from sentencing and the person from serving the maximum term of confinement or from paying the maximum fine permitted pursuant to chapters 902 and 903, and does not prohibit the court from entering a deferred judgment or sentence pursuant to section 907.3, if the person has not previously received a deferred sentence or judgment for a violation of section 708.2 or this section which was issued on a domestic abuse assault.

b. A person convicted of violating subsection 4 shall be sentenced as provided under section 902.9, subsection 5, and shall be denied parole or work release until the person has served a minimum of one year of the person's sentence. Notwithstanding section 901.5, subsections 1, 3, and 5 and section 907.3, the person cannot receive a suspended or deferred sentence or a deferred judgment; however, the person sentenced shall receive credit for any time the person was confined in a jail or detention facility following arrest.

7. If a person is convicted for, receives a deferred judgment for, or pleads guilty to a violation of this section, the court shall modify the no-contact order issued upon initial appearance in the manner provided in section 236.14, regardless of whether the person is placed on probation.

8. The clerk of the district court shall provide notice and copies of a judgment entered under this section to the applicable law enforcement agencies and the twenty-four hour dispatcher for the law enforcement agencies, in the manner provided for protective orders under section 236.5. The clerk shall provide notice and copies of modifications of the judgment in the same manner.

9. In addition to the mandatory minimum term of confinement imposed by subsection 6, paragraph "a", the court shall order a person convicted under subsection 2 or 3 to participate in a batterers' treatment program as required under section 708.2B. In addition, as a condition of deferring judgment or sentence pursuant to section 907.3, the court shall order the person to participate in a batterers' treatment program. The clerk of the district court shall send a copy of the judgment or deferred judgment to the judicial district department of correctional services.

Section History: Recent form
87 Acts, ch 154, § 9; 91 Acts, ch 218, § 27; 91 Acts, ch 219, § 19, 20; 92 Acts, ch 1163, § 118; 93 Acts, ch 157, §9; 94 Acts, ch 1093, §2; 95 Acts, ch 90, § 1; 96 Acts, ch 1131, § 3; 97 Acts, ch 33, §14; 98 Acts, ch 1192, §1; 99 Acts, ch 65, §4; 99 Acts, ch 114, §45

Internal References
Referred to in § 232.22, 232.52, 236.12, 236.14, 236.18, 598.41, 600A.8, 907.3, 915.22

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708.2B Treatment of domestic abuse offenders.

As used in this section, "district department" means a judicial district department of correctional services, established pursuant to section 905.2. A person convicted of, or receiving a deferred judgment for, domestic abuse assault shall report to the district department in order to participate in a batterers' treatment program for domestic abuse offenders. Participation in the batterers' treatment program shall not require a person to be placed on probation, but a person on probation may participate in the program. The district departments may contract for services in completing the duties relating to the batterers' treatment programs. The district departments shall assess the fees for participation in the program, and shall either collect or contract for the collection of the fees to recoup the costs of treatment, but may waive the fee or collect a lesser amount upon a showing of cause. The fees shall be used by each of the district departments or contract service providers for the establishment, administration, coordination, and provision of direct services of the batterers' treatment programs.

District departments or contract service providers shall receive upon request peace officers' investigative reports regarding persons participating in programs under this section. The receipt of reports under this section shall not waive the confidentiality of the reports under section 22.7.

Section History: Recent form
91 Acts, ch 218, §28; 91 Acts, ch 219, §35; 95 Acts, ch 180, § 15

Internal References
Referred to in § 232.29, 232.46, 232.52, 236.18, 708.2A, 905.6

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