Following a legislative session marked by high-stakes debates over taxes and landowner rights, Governor Kim Reynolds has officially signed three cornerstone pieces of Attorney General Brenna Bird’s 2026 legislative agenda into law. The new laws represent a multi-front effort to overhaul victim protection services, fortify the safety of the judicial and legislative branches, and bring the digital financial kiosk industry under state oversight in the Cyclone state.
Ending the Trauma Loophole
The most significant shift for Iowa’s legal system comes via SF2379, a comprehensive victim protection package. The centerpiece of the bill is the creation of lifetime protection orders for victims of sexual abuse.
Previously, victims, including children, were forced to return to court every five years to request an extension, a process that often forced them to face their abusers and relive their trauma. Under the new law, that burden is removed. Beyond the courtroom, the bill tightens requirements on registered sex offenders:
-
The Three-Day Rule: Offenders now have just 72 hours to register or update address changes with local sheriffs, down from the previous five-day window.
-
Detailed Tracking: Registration must now include specific vehicle information, such as make, model, and plate number, as well as the offender’s employer address.
-
Cold Case Continuity: Sexual assault kits must now be stored for a minimum of 20 years, or for the lifetime of a minor victim, a move aimed at ensuring DNA evidence remains viable as forensic technology evolves.
Security for the Bench and the Statehouse
In response to a documented national rise in threats against public officials, SF2280, also known as the Judicial Safety Bill, establishes some of the toughest penalties in the state for those attempting to intimidate the legal or legislative process.
Threatening a judicial officer, a member of the General Assembly, or their immediate family is now a Class C felony, punishable by up to 10 years in prison. The bill also aims to address doxxing, the malicious sharing of home addresses or personal data, categorizing it as a serious misdemeanor when intended to cause harm. Furthermore, the law grants judges and attorneys within the Attorney General’s Office the ability to obtain professional permits to carry, ensuring they have the means to protect themselves both inside and outside the courtroom.
Crypto ATMs
On the consumer front, SF2296 officially integrates digital financial kiosks into the state’s financial regulatory framework. These crypto ATMs will now be subject to the same rigorous oversight as traditional financial institutions. The law grants the Attorney General the authority to seek enhanced civil penalties and injunctions against operators whose hardware is used to facilitate fraudulent schemes.
A Team Effort
The successful passage of these priorities relied on a coalition of legislative floor managers. Bird specifically highlighted the leadership of Senators Mike Bousselot, Dan Webster, and Charlie McClintock, as well as Representatives Stan Gustoff, Thomas Lawler, and Shannon Lundgren, for navigating the bills through their respective chambers.
With the session concluded and these laws headed for the books, Bird’s message remains focused on accountability. She noted that as a mom and a prosecutor, a primary reason she ran for office was to help victims. She expressed gratitude for a $375,000 increase for Victim Assistance, which supports restitution for survivors of human trafficking and violent crimes.
“My office will continue to work every single day to bring justice for victims in Iowa,” Bird concluded.
