A bill for an act relating to the criminal offense of grooming and the sex offender registry, and making penalties applicable.(See HF 180.)

Iowa House Study Bill 22 (HSB22), later renumbered as House File 180 (HF180), was introduced to address the criminal offense of grooming and to modify the sex offender registry. The bill aimed to define and criminalize grooming behaviors, which involve building a relationship with a minor to exploit them sexually. It also proposed changes to the sex offender registry, likely including the addition of grooming offenses to the list of registrable crimes and adjustments to registration requirements. The bill was introduced on January 15, 2025, and after committee approvals, it was renumbered as HF180 on January 30, 2025. HF180 passed the House with a vote of 87-5 on February 20, 2025, and the Senate with a vote of 48-0 on March 12, 2025. The bill was signed into law by the Governor on March 28, 2025, and became effective on July 1, 2025.

Supporters of the bill, including child protection advocates and law enforcement agencies, praised the legislation for providing clear legal definitions and penalties for grooming behaviors. They argued that the law would serve as a deterrent to potential offenders and offer better protection for minors. The unanimous Senate vote and the strong bipartisan support in the House were highlighted as indicators of the bill's importance and effectiveness in addressing child exploitation.

Critics of the bill expressed concerns about potential overreach and the broad definition of grooming, which they feared could lead to unintended consequences or the criminalization of non-exploitative behaviors. Some civil liberties organizations cautioned that the changes to the sex offender registry might impose undue burdens on individuals and questioned the effectiveness of such registries in preventing recidivism. They advocated for a more nuanced approach that balances child protection with the rights of the accused.