Odd Laws Still on the Books
An old fridge in the yard, an unlicensed X ray and putting a person on exhibit: real Iowa sections
Lists of strange state laws get passed around with no section number attached. Every one below has one, read from the Iowa Code.
Who handles this in Iowa: legal aid programs and the state offices, listed in the Iowa directory.
| The law | What it says | Breaking it |
|---|---|---|
| The lawAn old refrigerator | What it saysLeaving a refrigerator, icebox or similar container with doors that can lock outside, unattended and within reach of children, is a crime. | Breaking itSimple misdemeanor |
| The lawAn X ray | What it saysNo one but a licensed doctor, osteopath, chiropractor or dentist, or someone working under one, may knowingly expose a person to X ray radiation. | Breaking itSimple misdemeanor |
| The lawPutting a person on exhibit | What it saysNo one may exhibit a person without that person's permission or a parent's or guardian's, and a parent may not be paid for it. | Breaking itSerious misdemeanor |
Many laws that sound strange are city or county ordinances rather than state law; this page covers only the Iowa Code. Whether a particular act broke one of these sections is a question for a licensed Iowa attorney.
Sources for this section (3)
- Iowa Code § 727.3 — Abandoned or unattended refrigerators
- Iowa Code § 727.10 — Exhibiting persons
- Iowa Code § 727.4 — Exposing persons to X-ray radiation
Legal information, not legal advice. Verified as of October 2026. Applying it to a particular situation is the work of a licensed Iowa attorney.