Iowa House Bill HF2216

Iowa 2023-2024 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/30/24
• Refer: 1/30/24

Caption

A bill for an act relating to certain employees of the department of corrections, including collective bargaining, health insurance for a surviving spouse and children of certain employees of the department, and certain operational and employment matters involving the department, and including applicability provisions.

Impact

The modifications introduced by HF2216 include amendments to health insurance provisions for surviving spouses and children of certain DOC employees. The bill stipulates that the state will cover the full cost of health insurance for these dependents, changing the previous law that allowed the state to offer only partial coverage or none at all. Additionally, the bill mandates that the DOC establish training programs focused on self-defense and de-escalation techniques to better equip employees facing potential violent encounters with inmates.

Summary

House File 2216 addresses several operational and employment-related matters pertaining to employees of the Iowa Department of Corrections (DOC). This bill aims to designate nonsupervisory employees with ongoing direct contact with inmates as public safety employees, which alters their eligibility under collective bargaining laws defined in Code chapter 20. By classifying these employees as public safety personnel, the bill ensures they receive the related bargaining rights and benefits afforded to this category of public workers, enhancing their collective negotiating power.

Contention

While supporters of HF2216, including various labor advocates, emphasize the importance of improving working conditions and benefits for corrections staff, there may be concerns regarding its implications on the state's budget due to the increased costs associated with mandated health insurance coverage and potential training programs. Detractors may argue that classifying a larger group of employees as public safety workers could lead to conflicts over bargaining rights and funding allocations, highlighting the tension between employee rights and fiscal responsibility within state governance.