Iowa 2023-2024 Regular Session

Iowa Senate Bill SF438

Introduced
2/27/23  
Introduced
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.

Companion Bills

No companion bills found.

Previously Filed As

IA SSB1024

A bill for an act providing for a review by the state board of regents of academic programs offered at regents institutions.

IA HSB50

A bill for an act providing for a review by the state board of regents of academic programs offered at regents institutions.(See HF 420.)

IA HF420

A bill for an act providing for a review by the state board of regents of academic programs offered at regents institutions.(Formerly HSB 50.)

IA HF103

A bill for an act relating to students who are pregnant or who recently gave birth who attend state institutions of higher education governed by the board of regents and community colleges.

IA SF12

A bill for an act relating to students who are pregnant or who recently gave birth who attend state institutions of higher education governed by the board of regents and community colleges.(See SF 288.)

IA HSB329

A bill for an act providing for a waiver of tuition and mandatory fees at regents institutions and community colleges for peace officers and their legal dependents and making appropriations.

IA HF264

A bill for an act providing for temporary abrogation of authority of the state board of regents over regents institutions based on the amount of appropriations to the institutions from the general fund of the state.

IA HSB535

A bill for an act prohibiting land acknowledgments by regents institutions.

IA SF288

A bill for an act relating to students who are pregnant or who recently gave birth who attend state institutions of higher education governed by the board of regents and community colleges. (Formerly SF 12.) Effective date: 07/01/2025.

IA HSB534

A bill for an act relating to postsecondary education institutions, including the membership and functions of the state board of regents and accreditation of public institutions of higher education.

Similar Bills

KS HB2299

Senate Substitute for Substitute for HB2299 by Committee on Education - Providing that certain statutory references to accredited nonpublic schools mean nonpublic schools accredited by the state board of education, requiring that schools accredited by a national or regional accrediting agency shall have the same rights as schools accredited by the state board, requiring school districts and accredited nonpublic schools to prohibit the use of personal electronic communication devices during the school day and prohibiting employees of a school district from using social media to communicate with students for official school purposes.

CA SB289

Postsecondary education: Gender and Sex Discrimination Educational Oversight Office.

OH SB368

Regards institutional violation of an endowment agreement

OH HB751

Regards action for institutional violation of endowment agreement

CA AB871

Mandated reporters of suspected financial abuse of an elder or dependent adult.

KS SB164

Prohibiting discriminatory practices on the basis of religion at public educational institutions and authorizing the attorney general to investigate violations and assess civil penalties under the Kansas act against discrimination.

IA SF347

A bill for an act prohibiting certain materials in public libraries in counties and cities, authorizing civil actions, and providing civil penalties.

IA HF558

A bill for an act prohibiting certain materials in public libraries in counties and cities, authorizing civil actions, and providing civil penalties.