Iowa criminal charge
Sexual abuse in the fourth degree health care professionals in Iowa
Sexual abuse in the fourth degree health care professionals is a criminal offense under Iowa law, defined by Iowa Code § 709.4A. 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 § 709.4A.
What is the penalty for sexual abuse in the fourth degree health care professionals in Iowa?
| Penalty | Range | Basis | Authority |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jail / prison | up to 2 years (Sexual abuse in the fourth degree — general — A health care professional uses or provides a patient with human reproductive material for assisted reproduction other than that to which the patient expressly consented in writing.; a sentence of more than one year is an indeterminate term (§903.1(2))) | discretionary | Iowa Code § 903.1 |
| Fine | $855 to $8,540 (Sexual abuse in the fourth degree — general — A health care professional uses or provides a patient with human reproductive material for assisted reproduction other than that to which the patient expressly consented in writing.; fine may not be suspended by the court (§903.1(1)); §911 surcharges added on top) | mandatory | Iowa Code § 903.1 |
| Jail / prison | up to 5 years (Sexual abuse in the fourth degree — health care professional's own material — The health care professional uses or provides the health care professional's own human reproductive material for assisted reproduction without the patient's consent.; indeterminate term (§902.3); maximum only, release determined by the board of parole) | discretionary | Iowa Code § 902.9 |
| Fine | $1,025 to $10,245 (Sexual abuse in the fourth degree — health care professional's own material — The health care professional uses or provides the health care professional's own human reproductive material for assisted reproduction without the patient's consent.; §911 surcharges added on top) | mandatory | Iowa Code § 902.9 |
Applies to current (2026 Iowa Code; fine levels per 2020 Acts ch 1074).
How is sexual abuse in the fourth degree health care professionals classified in Iowa?
The classification depends on the circumstances:
| Variant | Classification | When it applies | Statute |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sexual abuse in the fourth degree — general | Aggravated Misdemeanor | A health care professional uses or provides a patient with human reproductive material for assisted reproduction other than that to which the patient expressly consented in writing. | Iowa Code § 709.4A(2) |
| Sexual abuse in the fourth degree — health care professional's own material | Class “D” Felony | The health care professional uses or provides the health care professional's own human reproductive material for assisted reproduction without the patient's consent. | Iowa Code § 709.4A(3)(a) |
Common questions about sexual abuse in the fourth degree health care professionals in Iowa
Is sexual abuse in the fourth degree health care professionals a felony or a misdemeanor in Iowa?
It depends on the circumstances: sexual abuse in the fourth degree health care professionals ranges from a Aggravated Misdemeanor to a Class “D” Felony in Iowa under Iowa Code § 709.4A.
Sexual abuse in the fourth degree — general: Aggravated Misdemeanor (Iowa Code § 709.4A(2)) · Sexual abuse in the fourth degree — health care professional's own material: Class “D” Felony (Iowa Code § 709.4A(3)(a))
What are the penalties for sexual abuse in the fourth degree health care professionals in Iowa?
Which Iowa statute covers sexual abuse in the fourth degree health care professionals?
Sexual abuse in the fourth degree health care professionals is governed by Iowa Code § 709.4A (Sexual abuse in the fourth degree health care professionals).
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.