Iowa criminal charge
Criminal transmission of a contagious or infectious disease in Iowa
Criminal transmission of a contagious or infectious disease is a criminal offense under Iowa law, defined by Iowa Code § 709D.3. Its classification is not fixed: Iowa assigns a different penalty class depending on the circumstances of the offense. The class that applies — and the sentencing range that follows from it — depends on which statutory variant fits the facts.
Defined by Iowa Code § 709D.3.
What is the penalty for criminal transmission of a contagious or infectious disease in Iowa?
| Penalty | Range | Basis | Authority |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jail / prison | up to 25 years (Intentional transmission resulting in infection — Person knows they are infected, exposes another with intent that they contract the disease, and the exposed person becomes infected.; indeterminate term (§902.3): the statute sets only the maximum; release is determined by the board of parole. No fine for a class “B” felony under §902.9) | discretionary | Iowa Code § 902.9 |
| Jail / prison | up to 5 years (Intentional exposure not resulting in infection — Person knows they are infected, exposes another with intent that they contract the disease, but the exposed person does not become infected.; indeterminate term (§902.3); maximum only, release determined by the board of parole) | discretionary | Iowa Code § 902.9 |
| Fine | $1,025 to $10,245 (Intentional exposure not resulting in infection — Person knows they are infected, exposes another with intent that they contract the disease, but the exposed person does not become infected.; §911 surcharges added on top) | mandatory | Iowa Code § 902.9 |
| Jail / prison | up to 5 years (Reckless transmission resulting in infection — Person knows they are infected, exposes another with reckless disregard as to infection, and the exposed person becomes infected.; indeterminate term (§902.3); maximum only, release determined by the board of parole) | discretionary | Iowa Code § 902.9 |
| Fine | $1,025 to $10,245 (Reckless transmission resulting in infection — Person knows they are infected, exposes another with reckless disregard as to infection, and the exposed person becomes infected.; §911 surcharges added on top) | mandatory | Iowa Code § 902.9 |
| Jail / prison | up to 1 years (Reckless exposure not resulting in infection — Person knows they are infected, exposes another with reckless disregard as to infection, but the exposed person does not become infected.; the court may order imprisonment in addition to the fine (§903.1(1)(b))) | discretionary | Iowa Code § 903.1 |
| Fine | $430 to $2,560 (Reckless exposure not resulting in infection — Person knows they are infected, exposes another with reckless disregard as to infection, but the exposed person does not become infected.; fine may not be suspended by the court (§903.1(1)); §911 surcharges added on top) | mandatory | Iowa Code § 903.1 |
Applies to current (2026 Iowa Code).
How is criminal transmission of a contagious or infectious disease classified in Iowa?
The classification depends on the circumstances:
| Variant | Classification | When it applies | Statute |
|---|---|---|---|
| Intentional transmission resulting in infection | Class “B” Felony | Person knows they are infected, exposes another with intent that they contract the disease, and the exposed person becomes infected. | Iowa Code § 709D.3(1) |
| Intentional exposure not resulting in infection | Class “D” Felony | Person knows they are infected, exposes another with intent that they contract the disease, but the exposed person does not become infected. | Iowa Code § 709D.3(2) |
| Reckless transmission resulting in infection | Class “D” Felony | Person knows they are infected, exposes another with reckless disregard as to infection, and the exposed person becomes infected. | Iowa Code § 709D.3(3) |
| Reckless exposure not resulting in infection | Serious Misdemeanor | Person knows they are infected, exposes another with reckless disregard as to infection, but the exposed person does not become infected. | Iowa Code § 709D.3(4) |
Common questions about criminal transmission of a contagious or infectious disease in Iowa
Is criminal transmission of a contagious or infectious disease a felony or a misdemeanor in Iowa?
It depends on the circumstances: criminal transmission of a contagious or infectious disease ranges from a Serious Misdemeanor to a Class “B” Felony in Iowa under Iowa Code § 709D.3.
Intentional transmission resulting in infection: Class “B” Felony (Iowa Code § 709D.3(1)) · Intentional exposure not resulting in infection: Class “D” Felony (Iowa Code § 709D.3(2)) · Reckless transmission resulting in infection: Class “D” Felony (Iowa Code § 709D.3(3)) · Reckless exposure not resulting in infection: Serious Misdemeanor (Iowa Code § 709D.3(4))
What are the penalties for criminal transmission of a contagious or infectious disease in Iowa?
Which Iowa statute covers criminal transmission of a contagious or infectious disease?
Criminal transmission of a contagious or infectious disease is governed by Iowa Code § 709D.3 (Criminal transmission of a contagious or infectious disease).
Legal terms used in this law
This reference is informational and is not legal advice. Penalty ranges are the statutory classification ranges; sentencing in a specific case depends on its facts and history.