Iowa House Bill HF1011

Iowa 2025-2026 Regular Session

• Introduced: 4/14/25
• Refer: 5/15/25

Caption

A bill for an act relating to human trafficking, including the establishment of human trafficking prosecution units and the remittance of wire transmission fees to the office to combat human trafficking.(Formerly HF 831, HF 463; See HF 2565.)

Impact

In addition to the establishment of prosecution units, HF1011 introduces specific financial measures including the collection of wire transmission fees, which are aimed at funding efforts to combat human trafficking. Licensees who provide money transfer services will collect a fee of $5 for each wire transfer up to $500 and an additional 2% for any amount over $500. These funds will be remitted to the Department of Revenue and subsequently allocated to the Office to Combat Human Trafficking, thus creating a dedicated financial stream for prevention and victim support initiatives.

Summary

House File 1011 focuses on combating human trafficking in Iowa by establishing two human trafficking prosecution units within the Department of Justice. The bill mandates that these units will collaborate with various agencies, including the Department of Public Safety and the Department of Health and Human Services, to effectively identify, investigate, and prosecute cases of human trafficking. The western and eastern halves of the state will be serviced by these units, which aims to enhance law enforcement's ability to tackle this serious issue and provide necessary support for victims.

Contention

While the bill is generally aimed at improving the response to human trafficking, it also brings up questions regarding the financial burden on consumers using wire transfer services. Critics may argue that imposing additional fees could disproportionately affect low-income individuals who rely on these services. Nevertheless, proponents assert that the benefit of funding human trafficking initiatives far outweighs the potential downsides, emphasizing the urgency of addressing this major societal issue.