Men who abuse their girlfriend’s kids would face tougher penalties underlegislation which cleared the Iowa Senate last night. Senator MaggieTinsman of Davenport says it closes a loop-hole in Iowa law. Those who causePERMANENT injury to a child can be charged with a felony, but there’scurrently no FELONY charge for those who beat up a child without inflictingpermanent damage. Tinsman says when child protection laws were written,legislators probably didn’t think kids might be subjected to abuse from aparent’s live-in lover. The bill now goes to the House for debate.
