{"id":373386,"date":"2016-03-31T21:35:19","date_gmt":"2016-04-01T02:35:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/state\/iowa-law\/iowa-prohibited-consensual-sexual-activity-laws.html"},"modified":"2024-01-17T15:17:16","modified_gmt":"2024-01-17T20:17:16","slug":"iowa-prohibited-consensual-sexual-activity-laws","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/state\/iowa-law\/iowa-prohibited-consensual-sexual-activity-laws.html","title":{"rendered":"Iowa Prohibited Consensual Sexual Activity Laws"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Iowa Prohibited Consensual Sexual Activity Laws<\/h1>\n
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\n By FindLaw Staff<\/a> | Legally reviewed by Nicole Prebeck, Esq.<\/a>\n | Last updated\n
\n \n <\/i>\n Legally Reviewed\n <\/summary>\n\n
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This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n\n

\n \n <\/i>\n Fact-Checked\n <\/summary>\n\n
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The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n<\/section>\n

It is well-known that sexual activities, like rape and sexual assault, are against the law. It is not as well-known that some consensual sexual activities are prohibited by law, as well. Perhaps, it is also not well-known that states have used anti-sodomy laws to criminalize sexual activity between same-sex partners.<\/p>\r\n

Sexual Activities Laws<\/h2>\r\n

Some voluntary sexual activities are regulated under state consensual sexual activity laws<\/a>, although Iowa has fewer than most. Normally, these prohibitions reflect the social and political norms of the state population at the time the laws were created. Therefore, some sexual activity laws are subject to change over time.<\/p>\r\n

While anti-sodomy laws remain on the books in many states, they can no longer be used to criminalize sexual activity between consenting same-sex partners. They can no longer be used in this way because of a decision by the U.S. Supreme Court in 2003.<\/p>\r\n

In that year, the U.S. Supreme Court heard Lawrence v. Texas<\/a>. In that case, a man challenged his conviction in Texas for violating an anti-sodomy law in that state. For having sex with another man in the privacy of his own home, he was convicted of violating that law. However, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that law unconstitutional and unenforceable. In the wake of that decision by the U.S. Supreme Court, all anti-sodomy laws became unconstitutional and unenforceable, as they apply to consenting adults.<\/p>\r\n

As a consequence, Iowa has no anti-sodomy law. However, laws in Iowa do prohibit indecent exposure and prostitution.<\/p>\r\n

Consensual Sexual Activity Laws in Iowa<\/h2>\r\n

The chart below lists the laws related to sexual activity in Iowa.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

 <\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n

 <\/td>\r\n<\/tr>

HIV Exposure and Compelled Testing for Offenders<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n

Under Iowa Code 915.42<\/a>, a person convicted of a sexual offense must submit to HIV testing upon the victim’s request and an order from the court.<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>

Indecent Exposure<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n

Under Iowa Code 709.9<\/a>, indecent exposure is a crime. Offenses are treated as a misdemeanor. Examples of offenses qualifying as indecent exposure are "flashing" and public sex. Other offenses qualifying as indecent exposure can even include non-public exposure if the person exposing themselves intends the act to be seen by other people.<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>

Prostitution & Other Related Offenses<\/td>\r\n
Age of Consent<\/td>\r\n