Iowa HF177 enhances penalties for assaults on specific occupations and inmate assaults on department of corrections employees.

Iowa HF177 amends the state's assault laws to increase penalties for assaults on certain occupations, including peace officers, jailers, and health care providers. The bill also increases penalties for inmate assaults on department of corrections employees. Specifically, it classifies assaults causing bodily injury or mental illness as class "D" felonies, while other assaults, including those causing contact with saliva, are classified as aggravated misdemeanors.

Iowa HF177 enhances penalties for assaults on specific occupations and inmate assaults on department of corrections employees.

Iowa HF177 amends the state's assault laws to increase penalties for assaults on certain occupations, including peace officers, jailers, and health care providers. The bill also increases penalties for inmate assaults on department of corrections employees. Specifically, it classifies assaults causing bodily injury or mental illness as class "D" felonies, while other assaults, including those causing contact with saliva, are classified as aggravated misdemeanors.