Iowa legislation · 91st General Assembly
Iowa SF2161: A BILL FOR An Act defining coercive control and including it in the definition of domestic abuse
Status: In committee, February 17, 2026
An Act defining coercive control and including it in the definition of domestic abuse.
What the bill says
A bill FOR An Act defining coercive control and including it in the definition of domestic abuse.
From the introduced text, January 29, 2026:
A BILL FOR An Act defining coercive control and including it in the definition of domestic abuse. BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF IOWA: TLSB 6596XS (4) dg/ko S.F. 2161 Section 1. Section 236.2, Code 2026, is amended by adding the following new subsections: NEW SUBSECTION. 01. "Assault" means the same as defined in section 708.1. NEW SUBSECTION. 001. a. "Coercive control" means a pattern of behavior that is used to cause an individual to suffer physical, emotional, or psychological harm, and, in purpose or effect, unreasonably interferes with the individual's free will and personal liberty. In determining whether interference is unreasonable, a court shall consider the context and impact of the pattern of behavior from the perspective of an individual in a similar situation as the individual the interference affects. b. "Coercive control" includes but is not limited to engaging in any of the following: (1) Intimidating, controlling, or compelling conduct through any of the following: (a) Damaging, destroying, threatening to damage or destroy, or forcing an individual to relinquish goods, property, a domestic animal, or an item of sentimental value. (b) Using technology to threaten, humiliate, harass, stalk, intimidate, exert undue influence over, or abuse an individual, including but not limited to cyberstalking, monitoring, surveilling, impersonating, manipulating electronic media, or distributing or threatening …
Sponsors
- Scott Webster (R, 47) · primary sponsor
Latest actions
- : Subcommittee recommends amendment and passage.
- : Subcommittee Meeting: 02/17/2026 10:30AM Senate Lounge.
- : Subcommittee: Webster, Dickey, and Petersen. S.J. 200 .
- : Introduced, referred to Judiciary. S.J. 169 .
Subjects: assault, protective orders, domestic relations, Dams: exceptions., families
Common questions
- What is SF2161?
- SF2161 is a bill in the Iowa Legislature (91st General Assembly): A BILL FOR An Act defining coercive control and including it in the definition of domestic abuse.
- What does SF2161 do?
- In its own words: A bill FOR An Act defining coercive control and including it in the definition of domestic abuse.
- What is the status of SF2161?
- In committee as of February 17, 2026. Latest action: Subcommittee recommends amendment and passage. (February 17, 2026).
- Who sponsored SF2161?
- Scott Webster (R, 47).
- Where is the official record for SF2161?
- On the Iowa Legislature website: https://www.legis.iowa.gov/legislation/BillBook?ba=SF+2161&ga=91
Source: official Iowa record. Tracked by Delilah, AI for legislation across all 50 states and Congress.