Iowa Code » Chapter 229A — COMMITMENT OF SEXUALLY VIOLENT PREDATORS
Iowa Code

Iowa Code § 229A.8A (2026)

Transitional release

✓ current as of July 2026
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1. The department may establish a transitional release program and provide control, care, and treatment, and supervision of committed persons placed in such a program.

2. A committed person is suitable for placement in the transitional release program if the court finds that all of the following apply:

a. The committed person’s mental abnormality is no longer such that the person is a high risk to reoffend.\n\nTue Dec 09 22:21:24 2025 Iowa Code 2026, Chapter 229A (30, 1) 11 COMMITMENT OF SEXUALLY VIOLENT PREDATORS, §229A.8B\n\n b. The committed person has achieved and demonstrated significant insights into the person’s sex offending cycle.

c. The committed person has accepted responsibility for past behavior and understands the impact sexually violent crimes have upon a victim.

d. A detailed relapse prevention plan has been developed and accepted by the treatment provider which is appropriate for the committed person’s mental abnormality and sex offending history.

e. No major discipline reports have been issued for the committed person for a period of six months.

f. The committed person is not likely to escape or attempt to escape custody pursuant to section 229A.5B.

g. The committed person is not likely to engage in predatory acts constituting sexually violent offenses while in the program.

h. The placement is in the best interest of the committed person.

i. The committed person has demonstrated a willingness to agree to and abide by all rules of the program.

3. If the committed person does not agree to the conditions of release, the person is not eligible for the transitional release program.

4. A committed person who refuses to register as a sex offender is not eligible for placement in a transitional release program.

5. Committed persons in the transitional release program are not necessarily required to be segregated from other persons.

6. The department shall be responsible for establishing and implementing the rules and directives regarding the location of the transitional release program, staffing needs, restrictions on confinement and the movement of committed persons, and for assessing the progress of committed persons in the program. The court may also impose conditions on a committed person placed in the program.

7. The department may contract with other government or private agencies, including the department of corrections, to implement and administer the transitional release program. 2002 Acts, ch 1139, §11, 27; 2003 Acts, ch 44, §47; 2004 Acts, ch 1175, §463, 468; 2023 Acts, ch 19, §542 Referred to in §229A.8 \n

Notes of Decisions
Cited in 32 cases (4 in the last 5 years), 2008–2024 · leading case: In Re the Det. of Jeffrey Anderson, Jeffrey Anderson, 895 N.W.2d 131 (Iowa 2017).
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In Re the Det. of Jeffrey Anderson, Jeffrey Anderson, 895 N.W.2d 131 (Iowa 2017). · cites it 20× “Iowa Code § 229A.8A. Transitional release is the last phase of treatment for persons committed to the civil commitment unit for sexual offenders (CCUSO).”
David Taft v. Iowa Dist. Court for Linn Cnty., 828 N.W.2d 309 (Iowa 2013). · cites it 17× “(b) The committed person is suitable for placement in a transitional release program pursuant to section 229A.8A. Iowa Code 229A.8(5)(e) (2011) (emphasis added).”
David L. Taft Jr. v. Iowa Dist. Court for Linn Cnty., 879 N.W.2d 634 (Iowa 2016). · cites it 19× “Discharge or release is conditioned on a change in the mental abnormality making the committed person not likely to engage in sexually violent offenses, while suitability for placement in transitional release is based on the statutory criteria laid out in Iowa Code section 229A.”
Est. of Mercedes Gottschalk by Coexecutors Richard Gottschalk & Rebecca Rassler v. Pomeroy Dev., Inc. D/B/A Pomeroy Care Ctr. v. State of Iowa, Third-Party on Review From the Iowa Court of Appeal, 893 N.W.2d 579 (Iowa 2017). · cites it 10× “§ 229A.8A. 32 In particular, Cubbage was ineligible for transitional placement because he had not yet achieved and demonstrated significant insights into his sex offending cycle, he had not accepted responsibility for his past behavior or understood the impact of sexually…”
In re the Det. of Nicholas Wygle, 910 N.W.2d 599 (Iowa 2018). · cites it 12× “Section 229A.8A through section 229A.9B address issues related to the release of a “committed person.”
In Re the Det. of Calvin Matlock, Calvin Matlock, 860 N.W.2d 898 (Iowa 2015). · cites it 8× “(b) The committed person is suitable for placement in a transitional release program pursuant to section 229A.8A. Id. § 229A.8(5)(e)(1). If the committed person can meet this burden, the court then sets the matter for a final hearing.”
Johnson v. Iowa Dist. Court for Story Cnty., 756 N.W.2d 845 (Iowa 2008). · cites it 3× “(2) The committed person is suitable for placement in a transitional release program pursuant to section 229A.8A. If the committed person shows by a preponderance of the evidence that a final hearing should be held on either determination under subparagraph (1) or (2), or both,…”
In RE the Det. of Harold Johnson, Harold Johnson, 805 N.W.2d 750 (Iowa 2011). · cites it 2× “(2) The committed person is suitable for placement in a transitional release program pursuant to section 229A.8A. If the committed person shows by a preponderance of the evidence that a final hearing should be held .”
In Re Det. of Stewart Franklin Schuman (Iowa 2024). · cites it 61× “” The statute governing transitional release, Iowa Code § 229A.8A, provides, 2. A committed person is suitable for placement in the transitional release program if the court finds that all of the following apply: a.”
In Re Det. of Stewart Franklin Schuman (Iowa 2024). · cites it 61× “” The statute governing transitional release, Iowa Code § 229A.8A, provides, 2. A committed person is suitable for placement in the transitional release program if the court finds that all of the following apply: a.”
Amended July 29, 2016 David L. Taft Jr. v. Iowa Dist. Court for Linn Cnty. (Iowa 2016). · cites it 13× “Discharge or release is conditioned on a change in the mental abnormality making the committed person not likely to engage in sexually violent offenses, while suitability for placement in transitional release is based on the statutory criteria laid out in Iowa Code section…”
In Re the Det. of David L. Taft Jr. David L. Taft Jr. (Iowa Ct. App. 2017). · cites it 11× “She also testified Taft did not qualify for transitional release under section 229A.8A because he did not have an adequate relapse prevention plan and he recently had three disciplinary reports.”
Show all 32 citing cases →
— Iowa Code § 229A.8A(1) — 5 cases
In re the Det. of Nicholas Wygle, 910 N.W.2d 599 (Iowa 2018). “Section 229A.8A through section 229A.9B address issues related to the release of a “committed person.”
In Re Det. of Stewart Franklin Schuman (Iowa 2024). “” The statute governing transitional release, Iowa Code § 229A.8A, provides, 2. A committed person is suitable for placement in the transitional release program if the court finds that all of the following apply: a.”
In Re Det. of Stewart Franklin Schuman (Iowa 2024). “” The statute governing transitional release, Iowa Code § 229A.8A, provides, 2. A committed person is suitable for placement in the transitional release program if the court finds that all of the following apply: a.”
In re the Det. of Nicholas Wygle (Iowa 2018).
State of Iowa v. Iowa Dist. Court for Polk Cnty. (Iowa Ct. App. 2024).
— Iowa Code § 229A.8A(1)(b) — 1 case
In re the Det. of Adam Mauro (Iowa Ct. App. 2021).
— Iowa Code § 229A.8A(2) — 14 cases
David L. Taft Jr. v. Iowa Dist. Court for Linn Cnty., 879 N.W.2d 634 (Iowa 2016). “Discharge or release is conditioned on a change in the mental abnormality making the committed person not likely to engage in sexually violent offenses, while suitability for placement in transitional release is based on the statutory criteria laid out in Iowa Code section 229A.”
In Re the Det. of Calvin Matlock, Calvin Matlock, 860 N.W.2d 898 (Iowa 2015). “(b) The committed person is suitable for placement in a transitional release program pursuant to section 229A.8A. Id. § 229A.8(5)(e)(1). If the committed person can meet this burden, the court then sets the matter for a final hearing.”
Est. of Mercedes Gottschalk by Coexecutors Richard Gottschalk & Rebecca Rassler v. Pomeroy Dev., Inc. D/B/A Pomeroy Care Ctr. v. State of Iowa, Third-Party on Review From the Iowa Court of Appeal, 893 N.W.2d 579 (Iowa 2017). “§ 229A.8A. 32 In particular, Cubbage was ineligible for transitional placement because he had not yet achieved and demonstrated significant insights into his sex offending cycle, he had not accepted responsibility for his past behavior or understood the impact of sexually…”
In Re the Det. of Jeffrey Anderson, Jeffrey Anderson, 895 N.W.2d 131 (Iowa 2017). “Iowa Code § 229A.8A. Transitional release is the last phase of treatment for persons committed to the civil commitment unit for sexual offenders (CCUSO).”
Amended July 29, 2016 David L. Taft Jr. v. Iowa Dist. Court for Linn Cnty. (Iowa 2016). “Discharge or release is conditioned on a change in the mental abnormality making the committed person not likely to engage in sexually violent offenses, while suitability for placement in transitional release is based on the statutory criteria laid out in Iowa Code section…”
— Iowa Code § 229A.8A(2)(a) — 11 cases
In Re the Det. of Jeffrey Anderson, Jeffrey Anderson, 895 N.W.2d 131 (Iowa 2017). “Iowa Code § 229A.8A. Transitional release is the last phase of treatment for persons committed to the civil commitment unit for sexual offenders (CCUSO).”
Johnson v. Iowa Dist. Court for Story Cnty., 756 N.W.2d 845 (Iowa 2008). “(2) The committed person is suitable for placement in a transitional release program pursuant to section 229A.8A. If the committed person shows by a preponderance of the evidence that a final hearing should be held on either determination under subparagraph (1) or (2), or both,…”
In Re Det. of Stewart Franklin Schuman (Iowa 2024). “” The statute governing transitional release, Iowa Code § 229A.8A, provides, 2. A committed person is suitable for placement in the transitional release program if the court finds that all of the following apply: a.”
In Re Det. of Stewart Franklin Schuman (Iowa 2024). “” The statute governing transitional release, Iowa Code § 229A.8A, provides, 2. A committed person is suitable for placement in the transitional release program if the court finds that all of the following apply: a.”
Amended July 25, 2017 In RE the Det. of Jeffrey Anderson, Jeffrey Anderson (Iowa 2017).
— Iowa Code § 229A.8A(2)(d) — 4 cases
In Re Det. of Stewart Franklin Schuman (Iowa 2024). “” The statute governing transitional release, Iowa Code § 229A.8A, provides, 2. A committed person is suitable for placement in the transitional release program if the court finds that all of the following apply: a.”
In Re Det. of Stewart Franklin Schuman (Iowa 2024). “” The statute governing transitional release, Iowa Code § 229A.8A, provides, 2. A committed person is suitable for placement in the transitional release program if the court finds that all of the following apply: a.”
In Re the Det. of David L. Taft Jr. David L. Taft Jr. (Iowa Ct. App. 2017). “She also testified Taft did not qualify for transitional release under section 229A.8A because he did not have an adequate relapse prevention plan and he recently had three disciplinary reports.”
State of Iowa v. Iowa Dist. Court for Polk Cnty. (Iowa Ct. App. 2024).
— Iowa Code § 229A.8A(2)(e) — 6 cases
David Taft v. Iowa Dist. Court for Linn Cnty., 828 N.W.2d 309 (Iowa 2013). “(b) The committed person is suitable for placement in a transitional release program pursuant to section 229A.8A. Iowa Code 229A.8(5)(e) (2011) (emphasis added).”
David L. Taft Jr. v. Iowa Dist. Court for Linn Cnty., 879 N.W.2d 634 (Iowa 2016). “Discharge or release is conditioned on a change in the mental abnormality making the committed person not likely to engage in sexually violent offenses, while suitability for placement in transitional release is based on the statutory criteria laid out in Iowa Code section 229A.”
In Re Det. of Stewart Franklin Schuman (Iowa 2024). “” The statute governing transitional release, Iowa Code § 229A.8A, provides, 2. A committed person is suitable for placement in the transitional release program if the court finds that all of the following apply: a.”
In Re Det. of Stewart Franklin Schuman (Iowa 2024). “” The statute governing transitional release, Iowa Code § 229A.8A, provides, 2. A committed person is suitable for placement in the transitional release program if the court finds that all of the following apply: a.”
In Re the Det. of David L. Taft Jr. David L. Taft Jr. (Iowa Ct. App. 2017). “She also testified Taft did not qualify for transitional release under section 229A.8A because he did not have an adequate relapse prevention plan and he recently had three disciplinary reports.”
— Iowa Code § 229A.8A(2)(g) — 1 case
In Re the Det. of Marvin Allen Mead Marvin Allen Mead (Iowa Ct. App. 2017).
— Iowa Code § 229A.8A(3) — 2 cases
In Re the Det. of Galen Kendrick Shaffer, Galen Kendrick Shaffer (Iowa Ct. App. 2014).
State of Iowa v. Iowa Dist. Court for Polk Cnty. (Iowa Ct. App. 2024).
— Iowa Code § 229A.8A(4) — 2 cases
David L. Taft Jr. v. Iowa Dist. Court for Linn Cnty., 879 N.W.2d 634 (Iowa 2016). “Discharge or release is conditioned on a change in the mental abnormality making the committed person not likely to engage in sexually violent offenses, while suitability for placement in transitional release is based on the statutory criteria laid out in Iowa Code section 229A.”
Amended July 29, 2016 David L. Taft Jr. v. Iowa Dist. Court for Linn Cnty. (Iowa 2016). “Discharge or release is conditioned on a change in the mental abnormality making the committed person not likely to engage in sexually violent offenses, while suitability for placement in transitional release is based on the statutory criteria laid out in Iowa Code section…”
— Iowa Code § 229A.8A(6) — 6 cases
In re the Det. of Nicholas Wygle, 910 N.W.2d 599 (Iowa 2018). “Section 229A.8A through section 229A.9B address issues related to the release of a “committed person.”
Est. of Mercedes Gottschalk by Coexecutors Richard Gottschalk & Rebecca Rassler v. Pomeroy Dev., Inc. D/B/A Pomeroy Care Ctr. v. State of Iowa, Third-Party on Review From the Iowa Court of Appeal, 893 N.W.2d 579 (Iowa 2017). “§ 229A.8A. 32 In particular, Cubbage was ineligible for transitional placement because he had not yet achieved and demonstrated significant insights into his sex offending cycle, he had not accepted responsibility for his past behavior or understood the impact of sexually…”
In re the Det. of Nicholas Wygle (Iowa 2018).
In Re Det. of Stewart Franklin Schuman (Iowa 2024). “” The statute governing transitional release, Iowa Code § 229A.8A, provides, 2. A committed person is suitable for placement in the transitional release program if the court finds that all of the following apply: a.”
In Re Det. of Stewart Franklin Schuman (Iowa 2024). “” The statute governing transitional release, Iowa Code § 229A.8A, provides, 2. A committed person is suitable for placement in the transitional release program if the court finds that all of the following apply: a.”
— Iowa Code § 229A.8A(d) — 1 case
In re the Det. of Adam Mauro (Iowa Ct. App. 2021).
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