Iowa Code Title XVI. Criminal Law and Procedure [Chs. 687-916] § 718.6. False reports to or communications with public safety entities

1. Except as provided in subsection 2, a person who reports or causes to be reported false information to a fire department, a law enforcement authority, or other public safety entity, knowing that the information is false, or who reports the alleged occurrence of a criminal act, knowing the act did not occur, commits a simple misdemeanor unless the alleged criminal act reported is a serious or aggravated misdemeanor or felony, in which case the person commits a serious misdemeanor.

2. A person who reports or causes to be reported false information to a fire department, a law enforcement authority, or other public safety entity, knowing that the information is false, or who reports the alleged occurrence of a criminal act, knowing the act did not occur, commits a class “D” felony if the alleged criminal act reported is any of the following:

3. If the reported false information involves a criminal act under subsection 2 and the reported false information results in serious bodily injury to or the death of another person, the person reporting the false information commits a class “C” felony.  For purposes of this subsection, a person causes serious bodily injury or death when the report of false information contributes to the other person's serious bodily injury or death.

4. Except as provided in subsection 2, a person who telephones an emergency 911 communications center, knowing that the person is not reporting an emergency or otherwise needing emergency information or assistance, commits a simple misdemeanor.

5. Except as provided in subsection 2, a person who knowingly provides false information to a law enforcement officer who enters the information on a citation commits a simple misdemeanor unless the criminal act for which the citation is issued is a serious or aggravated misdemeanor or felony, in which case the person commits a serious misdemeanor.