The new Iowa law that increases penalties for assaults against law enforcement officers and first responders goes into effect today, July 1, 2025. The law was Attorney General Brenna Bird ¢â‚¬â„¢s legislative priority this past session. 

¢â‚¬Å“Starting today, Iowa ¢â‚¬â„¢s law works harder to protect our law enforcement heroes who daily put on their badge and risk their lives to keep us safe, ¢â‚¬ � said Attorney General Bird.  ¢â‚¬Å“We want these women and men to know that in Iowa, we back the blue. ¢â‚¬ � 

The law protects law-enforcement officers, first responders, and corrections officers by raising penalties for assaults to: 

  • Up to 10 years in prison when the assault involves a dangerous weapon or is meant to inflict serious injury 
  • Up to 5 years when the assault causes bodily injury 
  • A mandatory minimum sentence of 7 days in jail for all other assaults against first responders 

The law also raises the penalty for spitting on law-enforcement officers, first responders, or corrections officers to assault with other bodily fluids.