Iowa lawmakers proposed bill to reinstate death penalty moves forward

(ABC 6 News) – A proposed bill that would reinstate the death penalty in Iowa is now eligible for debate in the Iowa Senate.

The bill would allow death sentences for only those convicted of kidnapping, raping, and murdering a person under the age of 18.

On Tuesday, the bill passed the Senate Judiciary Committee on a 10 to 8 vote and now heads to the full floor. Two Republicans and 6 Democrats voted against the legislation with all 10 yes votes coming from Republicans.

Iowa abolished the death penalty 58 years ago in 1965. The Iowa House approved a death penalty bill in 1995, but it was defeated in the Senate.