Senate unanimously passes bill barring deferred sentences for sexual exploitation of a minor

The Iowa Senate on March 24 passed House File 2515, a bill that prohibits deferred or suspended sentences following convictions for sexual exploitation of a minor, moving the measure through final reading and passage unanimously on the Senate floor.

Senator Westrich opened debate on the bill and argued it prevents offenders from avoiding prison. "This bill ensures that ****** predators are not allowed back on the streets by requiring them to serve out their sentences and stay where they belong, in prison," Westrich said in closing comments urging a yes vote.

The Senate moved that House File 2515 be read for the final time and placed on its passage; the motion prevailed and a roll-call vote recorded the tally as 46 yeas and 0 nays. The secretary announced the bill had received the constitutional majority and declared it passed; the title was agreed to and Senator Klimesh subsequently asked unanimous consent to immediately message House File 2515 to the House, which was ordered without objection.

What happens next: Having passed the Senate, the bill was messaged to the House; further processing in the House and any enrollment or gubernatorial action are the next procedural steps referenced in the Senate record.