Iowa statute
Iowa Code § 709D.3 — Criminal transmission of a contagious or infectious disease
Current through 2026 Iowa Code (enactments effective on or before 2026-01-01, through the 2025 Regular Session, 91st G.A.)
Part of Chapter 709D: Contagious or Infectious Disease Transmission Act, Iowa Code.
Criminal charges under this statute
Full text of Iowa Code § 709D.3
Statutory text current through the 2026 Iowa Code (enactments effective on or before 2026-01-01, through the 2025 Regular Session, 91st G.A.). This publication reproduces the statutory text of the official 2026 Iowa Code (Legislative Services Agency); it is not the official publication of the State of Iowa.
1. A person commits a class “B” felony when the person knows the person is infected with a contagious or infectious disease and exposes an uninfected person to the contagious or infectious disease with the intent that the uninfected person contract the contagious or infectious disease, and the conduct results in the uninfected person becoming infected with the contagious or infectious disease.
2. A person commits a class “D” felony when the person knows the person is infected with a contagious or infectious disease and exposes an uninfected person to the contagious or infectious disease with the intent that the uninfected person contract the contagious or infectious disease, but the conduct does not result in the uninfected person becoming infected with the contagious or infectious disease.
3. A person commits a class “D” felony when the person knows the person is infected with a contagious or infectious disease and exposes an uninfected person to the contagious or infectious disease acting with a reckless disregard as to whether the uninfected person contracts the contagious or infectious disease, and the conduct results in the uninfected person becoming infected with the contagious or infectious disease.
4. A person commits a serious misdemeanor when the person knows the person is infected with a contagious or infectious disease and exposes an uninfected person to the contagious or infectious disease acting with a reckless disregard as to whether the uninfected person contracts the contagious or infectious disease, but the conduct does not result in the uninfected person becoming infected with the contagious or infectious disease.
5. The act of becoming pregnant while infected with a contagious or infectious disease, continuing a pregnancy while infected with a contagious or infectious disease, or declining treatment for a contagious or infectious disease during pregnancy shall not constitute a crime under this chapter.
6. Evidence that a person knows the person is infected with a contagious or infectious disease and has engaged in conduct that exposes others to the contagious or infectious disease, regardless of the frequency of the conduct, is insufficient on its own to prove the intent to transmit the contagious or infectious disease.
7. A person does not act with the intent required pursuant to subsection 1 or 2, or with the reckless disregard required pursuant to subsection 3 or 4, if the person takes practical means to prevent transmission, or if the person informs the uninfected person that the person has a contagious or infectious disease and offers to take practical means to prevent transmission but that offer is rejected by the uninfected person subsequently exposed to the infectious or contagious disease.
8. It is an affirmative defense to a charge under this section if the person exposed to the contagious or infectious disease knew that the infected person was infected with the contagious or infectious disease at the time of the exposure and consented to exposure with that knowledge.
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