Bill

HF 64

A bill for an act relating to the dissemination and exhibition of obscene material to minors and providing penalties.

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Heather Hora and 1 co-sponsor

Would elevate knowingly disseminating obscene material to minors to a Class D felony (up to 5 years, $1,025-$10,245) with 10-year sex offender registration.

Withdrawn.

#felonies #minors #obscenity

WeVote Research Nonpartisan

Bill Summary · HF 64

Summary of HF 64 (Withdrawn)

Overview

HF 64, introduced January 15, 2025, would change the penalty for disseminating or exhibiting obscene material to minors from a serious misdemeanor to a Class “D” felony. The bill was withdrawn on March 14, 2025. It relates to felonies, minors, and obscenity, and was sponsored by Jones and Hora.

What the bill would do

Reclassify the offense of knowingly disseminating or exhibiting obscene material to a minor (including material that can be observed by a minor on or off the premises where displayed) from a serious misdemeanor to a Class “D” felony.
Treat violations under Code section 728.2 as Tier I sex offenses, triggering sex offender registration requirements.

Key provisions and changes

Offense: Any person, other than a parent or guardian, who knowingly disseminates or exhibits obscene material to a minor, including material observable by a minor on or off the display premises, would be guilty of a public offense and, upon conviction, a Class “D” felony.
Penalties for a Class “D” felony: Confinement for up to five years and a fine ranging from $1,025 to $10,245.
Sex offender registration: A conviction under 728.2 would be treated as a Tier I sex offense, requiring registration as a sex offender for 10 years.

Who would be affected

Individuals (other than parents/guardians) who disseminate or exhibit obscene material to minors.
Minors who are observers of such material, as well as venues or premises where obscene material is displayed (to the extent their dissemination or exhibition to minors is involved).
The offenders would face heightened penalties and mandatory sex-offender registration upon conviction.

Procedural and timeline aspects

Introduced: January 15, 2025; referred to Judiciary.
Subcommittee: January 16, 2025; meeting held January 29, 2025; subcommittee recommended passage.
Committee actions: January 27–February 6, 2025; committee recommended amendment and passage; committee vote 16 Yeas, 4 Nays, 1 Excused (February 6, 2025).
Renumbering: February 10, 2025, bill renumbered as HF 306 in committee records.
Status: Withdrawn from consideration on March 14, 2025.

Notes

The bill’s status is withdrawal, so it did not become law. If reintroduced, the core change would be elevating the offense to a Class D felony with significant penalties and a 10-year sex-offender registration requirement.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.