A bill for an act relating to the address confidentiality program. (Formerly HSB 74.) Effective date: 07/01/2025.
Summary
House File 397 makes several updates to Iowa’s Address Confidentiality Program, which is designed to help protect people whose residential information could increase their risk of domestic abuse, sexual abuse, stalking, assault, or human trafficking. The bill clarifies that applicants may use a shelter’s name and contact information instead of a physical street address when the shelter is their residential or mailing address, helping participants avoid disclosing sensitive location information.
The bill also revises program administration rules. It specifies reasons the secretary must cancel a participant’s certification, including false information on an application, verified death, or removal of an adult household member at the request of a participant with supporting documentation. It also authorizes the secretary to hold forwarded mail for up to 30 days at the participant’s request, rather than forwarding it immediately in all cases.
Impact
HF 397 amends Iowa Code chapter 9E governing the Address Confidentiality Program and related election procedures. It expands and clarifies how shelter addresses may be used in program applications, refines certification cancellation rules, and gives participants more flexibility in mail handling. In the elections section, it requires cancellation of a participant’s voter registration if election officials learn the person is registered in another state, and it updates absentee voting procedures for participants who are otherwise eligible to vote by allowing annual registration as an absentee voter for the certification period and directing election officials to obtain and forward the correct precinct ballot.
Sentiment
The bill appears to have broad bipartisan support and little visible opposition. It passed the House 91-0 and the Senate 44-0, indicating unanimous support in both chambers. The lack of committee transcript material suggests there was no recorded controversy in the available materials, and the overall tone of the legislation is protective and administrative rather than partisan.
Contention
No major points of contention are evident in the available record. The only substantive policy choices reflected in the bill are administrative: how shelter addresses may be reported, when a participant’s certification may be canceled, how long mail may be held, and how election officials should handle voter registration and absentee ballots for program participants. Any potential concern would likely center on election administration details or program compliance, but the unanimous votes suggest those issues did not generate significant disagreement.
A bill for an act relating to the duties of the secretary of state, including the address confidentiality program and the conduct of elections, and including effective date provisions.
A bill for an act relating to the conduct of elections, and including effective date and retroactive applicability provisions. (Formerly HSB 281.) Effective date: 07/01/2025, 01/01/2026. Applicability date: 01/01/2024.