Iowa Senate Bill SF2026

Iowa 2023-2024 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/8/24
• Refer: 1/8/24

Caption

A bill for an act relating to disclosure to the general assembly of information concerning nongovernmental employers and providing penalties and remedies.

Impact

Should SF2026 be passed, it will enforce new civil remedies that enable employees to seek legal action if they experience retaliatory actions by their employers due to disclosures made under this bill. Employers found in violation of these provisions could face misdemeanor charges and civil claims, possibly resulting in damages significant enough to amount to three times the employee's prior annual wages. This establishes a more robust framework for employee rights concerning whistleblowing, aiming to foster transparency and accountability within organizations.

Summary

Senate File 2026 (SF2026) proposes significant changes to the disclosure practices related to nongovernmental employers in Iowa. The bill aims to protect employees who intend to report violations of law, mismanagement, or threats to public health by ensuring they can do so without facing retaliation from their employers. Specifically, the bill prohibits employers from disallowing employees from disclosing certain information to members of the general assembly and bans them from taking adverse actions against employees who report such information. This includes protections against demotion, termination, or other forms of reprisal.

Contention

Notably, the bill's provisions include confidentiality guarantees for conversations between employees disclosing information and members of the general assembly, ensuring that such disclosures cannot be compelled in court nor disclosed under statute. However, the bill does have limited scope since it does not cover disclosures that are prohibited by other laws. This aspect of the bill may provoke discussions regarding its effectiveness and the scope of protections offered, leading to potential points of contention as stakeholders evaluate how these protections might impact the operational landscape for employers.