A bill in the Iowa legislature recently passed through the Senate Judiciary subcommittee that would expand anti-stalking laws in the state to include electronic methods. State Senator Kevin Kinney (D) proposed Senate File 209, which changes section 708.11 of the Iowa Code to include technological devices used to locate, listen to, or watch a person without legitimate purpose as stalking conduct. Kinney believes the current law, which only includes in-person stalking, is out of date with technology, and this addition will do more to protect victims from their stalkers.
He explains, “There are ways that you can track people, and we’re trying to keep these people safe. We’re trying to make sure that no one is tracking them, and if we find out that they are following them by using an electronic device, they would be held accountable for this also.” The bill passed easily through the subcommittee, and Kinney is hopeful the rest of the legislature will see its benefits. To learn more about the bill and other topics from the legislative session, listen to the two-part In Touch with Southeast Iowa interview with Kinney at KCIIRadio.com.