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HF 615

A bill for an act relating to the offense of intentional misrepresentation of an animal as a service animal or service-animal-in-training.

2025-2026 Regular Session

HF 615 criminalizes knowingly misrepresenting an animal as a service animal or in training, requiring prior warning and knowledge, classified as a simple misdemeanor.

Signed by Governor.
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Bill Summary · HF 615

Summary — HF 615 (Service animals) — Intentional misrepresentation

Status: Signed by Governor (approved May 27, 2025)
Introduced: February 26, 2025
Code section amended: Iowa Code § 216C.11(3)(b)

Purpose

HF 615 creates/clarifies the criminal offense of intentionally misrepresenting an animal as a service animal or a service-animal-in-training. The bill is intended to deter misuse of service-animal status and to protect the rights and access of people with disabilities who rely on legitimately trained service animals.

Key provisions

  • Defines the offense of intentional misrepresentation of an animal as a service animal or service-animal-in‑training by listing three required elements:
    1. The person, for the purpose of obtaining rights or privileges under state or federal law, intentionally represents an animal in their possession as their own service animal or service-animal-in-training, or as the service animal/service-animal-in-training of a person with a disability whom they are assisting by controlling.
    2. The person was previously given a written or verbal warning that it is illegal to intentionally misrepresent an animal as a service animal or service-animal-in-training.
    3. The person knows that the animal is not a service animal or service-animal-in-training.
  • Classifies the offense as a simple misdemeanor.
    • Penalties for a simple misdemeanor in Iowa: confinement no more than 30 days and a fine of at least $105 but not more than $855.

Who is affected

  • Individuals who falsely present animals as service animals or service-animals-in-training to gain access, accommodations, or other legal rights.
  • Businesses and entities that interact with alleged service animals (public accommodations, transportation providers, employers, schools) — the law creates a criminal remedy that may be applied when misrepresentation occurs.
  • People with disabilities and handlers of legitimate service animals — the law aims to protect access and reduce fraud that can undermine acceptance of genuine service animals.

Procedural/timeline notes

  • House passage: March 13, 2025 (95–0).
  • Senate passage: April 21, 2025 (42–3). HF 615 was substituted for SF 234.
  • Enrolled and sent to Governor; signed May 27, 2025 (effective per standard state practice unless otherwise specified).

Additional context

  • An earlier (introduced) draft of the bill reportedly would have removed the prior-warning and knowledge elements; the enrolled and signed version retains all three elements, meaning a conviction requires proof of prior warning and the defendant’s knowledge that the animal was not a service animal. This prior-warning/knowledge requirement narrows the circumstances under which the misdemeanor can be proven.

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

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