Iowa Senate Bill SF438

Iowa 2023-2024 Regular Session

• Introduced: 2/27/23
• Refer: 2/27/23

Caption

A bill for an act relating to regents institutions and the enforcement of state, local, and municipal laws, and personal injury or illness of a peace officer employed by a regents institution.

Impact

If a regents institution is found to violate the provisions of this bill, it risks losing state funding for the fiscal year following such a determination. This puts pressure on these institutions to comply with state laws and regulations, aligning them more closely with the expected standards set by state law enforcement. Additionally, this bill introduces a concept where violation allegations must be reviewed with the attorney general maintaining confidentiality over the details unless otherwise mandated by law.

Summary

Senate File 438 addresses the enforcement of state, local, and municipal laws specifically in relation to regents institutions in Iowa, which include state universities. It prohibits these institutions from adopting any policies that discourage or prohibit the enforcement of laws. The bill changes the legal framework, allowing any individual to file a complaint with the attorney general if they suspect violations of these enforcement provisions by a regents institution. The attorney general is then tasked with reviewing the complaint and determining if an intentional violation has occurred.

Contention

One notable aspect of SF438 is its inclusion of protections for employees of regents institutions against retaliation when they make good-faith complaints. It outlines that any local entity or regents institution found to retaliate against an employee in this context could face legal consequences. This provision serves to balance the accountability imposed by the bill on the institutions with the protection of employee rights, ensuring that individuals can report violations without fear of adverse career impacts.