Establishing the criminal offense of torture, and providing penalties

Progress

1. Introduced
   February 19, 2026
2. Subcommittee
   —
3. Committee
   —
4. Passed House
   —
5. Passed Senate
   —
6. Signed
   —

Died at end of session The General Assembly adjourned on May 3, 2026. Bills that didn’t pass both chambers died. What’s a funnel?

What’s in it

This bill establishes the criminal offense of torture. The bill provides that a person who, with the intent to cause cruel or extreme physical or mental pain and suffering, inflicts serious bodily injury or severe mental pain or suffering upon another person within the person’s custody or physical control commits torture and is guilty of a class “B” felony. Notwithstanding Code section 902.9, subsection 1, paragraph “b”, a person convicted of a violation of the bill shall be confined for no more than years. The bill provides definitions of “cruel”, “custody or physical control”, “serious bodily injury”, and “severe mental pain or suffering”.

From the explanation printed with the bill as introduced, written by the Legislative Services Agency. Amendments adopted later aren’t reflected. Full bill text