(L-R) : Asst. Guthrie Co. Attorney Charles Abel, Panora Police Chief Matt Reising, Sheriff Matt Harmann, Rep. Carter Nordman, Stuart Police Chief Dave Reha
State Representative Carter Nordman (R-Dallas Center) in collaboration with law enforcement and the county attorney’s office in Guthrie County, filed a new bill earlier this week to strengthen Iowa’s child endangerment laws to increase protection for youth. Rep. Nordman, along with Assistant Guthrie County Attorney Charles Abel, Guthrie County Sheriff Matt Harmann, Stuart Police Chief Dave Reha and Panora Police Chief Matt Reising proposed House File (HF) 2086, also being called the Safe Kids Act, extending child endangerment protections to all minors under the age of 18, which helps older children who are caught in loopholes due to their age. Attorney Abel, with the local law enforcement leaders, recommended the legislation after discovering the current gaps that prevent prosecutors from pursuing child endangerment charges that involve older minors. Abel says under the existing law, it often leaves minors over 14 years old being exposed to methamphetamine by parents without legal recourse and even allowing registered sex offenders to reside in the home, with little that can be done. In a joint statement, the local law enforcement leaders, Harmann, Reha and Reising express their support saying “We thank Rep. Carter Nordman and Assistant County Attorney Abel for their commitment to being tough on crime and for truly listening to the feedback and needs of law enforcement in Guthrie County. This collaboration strengthens our ability to protect our communities, and we appreciate the strong working relationships that make initiatives like this possible.” HF 2086 was filed on Jan. 20, and will now go through the Iowa House for committee review and debate before continuing through the legislative process to become a law.
