On January 20th, Iowa House Representative for District 47 Carter Nordman, along with several law enforcement entities in Guthrie County, announced legislation to help strengthen current child endangerment protections throughout the state.

Nordman, along with Guthrie County Assistant Attorney Charles Abel, Sheriff Matt Harmann, Stuart Police Chief Dave Reha and Panora Police Chief Matt Reising announced the filing of House File 2086 (HF 2086), or the SAFE KIDS ACT. This legislation was recommended to Nordman by the law enforcement entities, who identified critical gaps in current statutes which prevent prosecutors from pursuing child endangerment charges when older minors are involved.

Abel explained that under current law, these charges are often unavailable when the victim is 14 years old or older. Harmann, Reha and Reising all shared their thankfulness for the support shown by Nordman and Abel in listening to the feedback and needs they shared with them, along with their commitment to being tough on crime. The SAFE KIDS ACT would amend Iowa Code Section 726.6 to extend child endangerment protections to all minors under 18, and will now begin to proceed through the House for review and debate.