HF 3069 Summary

• Establishes new crime of assault by strangulation (section 609.2234) as a felony punishable by up to 3 years imprisonment or $5,000 fine, applying to any person regardless of relationship to victim.

• Repeals existing crime of domestic assault by strangulation (section 609.2247) and consolidates strangulation offenses under the new general assault by strangulation statute.

• Defines strangulation as intentionally impeding normal breathing or blood circulation by applying pressure to throat/neck or blocking nose/mouth of another person.

• Updates multiple statutes to reference the new assault by strangulation crime (609.2234) instead of the repealed domestic assault by strangulation provision in background check disqualifications, firearms restrictions, and violent crime definitions.

• All changes effective August 1, 2020 and apply to crimes committed on or after that date.