235B.20 Dependent adult abuse — initiation of charges — penalty.
1. Charges of dependent adult abuse may be initiated upon complaint of private individuals or as a result of investigations by social service agencies or on the direct initiative of a county attorney or law enforcement agency.
2. A caretaker who intentionally or recklessly commits dependent adult abuse on a dependent adult in violation of this chapter which resulted in the death of the dependent adult is guilty of murder in the second degree in violation of section 707.3.
3. A caretaker who intentionally commits dependent adult abuse on a dependent adult in violation of this chapter is guilty of a class “C” felony if the intentional dependent adult abuse results in serious injury.
4. A caretaker who recklessly commits dependent adult abuse on a dependent adult in violation of this chapter is guilty of a class “D” felony if the reckless dependent adult abuse results in serious injury.
5. A caretaker who intentionally commits dependent adult abuse on a dependent adult in violation of this chapter is guilty of a class “C” felony if the intentional dependent adult abuse results in physical injury.
6. A caretaker who commits dependent adult abuse by exploiting a dependent adult in violation of this chapter is guilty of a class “D” felony if the value of the property, assets, or resources exceeds one hundred dollars.
7. A caretaker who recklessly commits dependent adult abuse on a person in violation of this chapter is guilty of an aggravated misdemeanor if the reckless dependent adult abuse results in physical injury.
8. A caretaker who otherwise intentionally or knowingly commits dependent adult abuse upon a dependent adult in violation of this chapter is guilty of a serious misdemeanor.
9. A caretaker who commits dependent adult abuse by exploiting a dependent adult in violation of this chapter is guilty of a simple misdemeanor if the value of the property, assets, or resources is one hundred dollars or less.
10. A caretaker alleged to have committed a violation of this chapter shall be charged with the respective offense cited, unless a charge may be brought based upon a more serious offense, in which case the charge of the more serious offense shall supersede the less serious charge.
96 Acts, ch 1130, §10; 2009 Acts, ch 107, §4; 2021 Acts, ch 53, §1
Referred to in §235E.4, 272C.15, 671A.2, 901C.3
NEW subsection 2 and former subsections 2 – 9 renumbered as 3 – 10
Structure Iowa Code
Chapter 235B - DEPENDENT ADULT ABUSE SERVICES — INFORMATION REGISTRY
Section 235B.1 - Dependent adult abuse services.
Section 235B.3 - Dependent adult abuse reports.
Section 235B.3A - Prevention of additional abuse — notification of rights.
Section 235B.4 - Legislative findings and purposes.
Section 235B.5 - Creation and maintenance of a central registry.
Section 235B.6 - Authorized access.
Section 235B.7 - Requests for dependent adult abuse information.
Section 235B.8 - Redissemination of dependent adult abuse information.
Section 235B.9 - Sealing and expungement of dependent adult abuse information.
Section 235B.10 - Examination, requests for correction or expungement, and appeal.
Section 235B.11 - Civil remedy.
Section 235B.12 - Criminal penalties.
Section 235B.13 - Registry reports.
Section 235B.16 - Information, education, and training requirements.
Section 235B.16A - Dependent adults — dependency assessments — interagency training.
Section 235B.19 - Emergency order for protective services.
Section 235B.20 - Dependent adult abuse — initiation of charges — penalty.