Judiciary

SF 512 clarifies who can change the deadlines for bringing civil lawsuits in Iowa. The bill amends Code section 614.1 to specify that only the General Assembly has the power to alter the time limits for various civil actions. This directly affects individuals and entities involved in lawsuits related to injuries, contracts, fraud, malpractice, and other specified claims, ensuring legislative control over these statutes of limitations.

SF 473 (Iowa) prevents state departments from requiring foster care providers or adoptive parents to affirm policies conflicting with their religious or moral beliefs about sexual orientation or gender identity. It prohibits disqualifying individuals from foster care or adoption based solely on such beliefs, including their intent to raise children consistent with those beliefs. The bill allows departments to still consider the religious or moral beliefs of both the child and the provider when determining the best placement for the child. This applies directly to individuals seeking or currently providing foster care or adoption services in Iowa, and it creates legal remedies for violations.

SF 472 establishes new procedures for retention and recertification elections for public employee collective bargaining units, affecting public employers and their employees. It requires the employment appeal board to issue a notice before an election and mandates public employers to submit a list of eligible employees within ten days. The bill makes it unlawful for public employers to fail to provide this list and requires the board to publicly identify those who have not complied. Iowa residents are authorized to petition district courts to compel non-compliant public employers to submit the required employee lists. The board must also extend election timelines as needed to resolve any legal challenges related to list submission.

SF 542 allows courts in Iowa to temporarily pause child support and medical support payments when a juvenile court places a child with someone who already has a support obligation. It directly affects individuals ordered to pay support (payors) and those receiving support (payees) when custody changes. The bill requires payors to file a specific application with court details and a custody notice, triggering a suspension effective with the next payment date. Courts must waive filing fees for these applications, and the suspension ends automatically 60 days after the juvenile court case concludes or if custody returns to the original recipient.

HF 2413 modifies Iowa's rulemaking process by defining "major rules" and adding new review requirements. A "major rule" is defined as one costing at least $200,000 annually, significantly affecting competition/employment, or amending federal Clean Air Act plans. State agencies must now provide detailed regulatory analyses for major rules, including cost-benefit comparisons, and the Legislative Services Agency must conduct a separate review of these rules before they take effect. This directly affects state agencies creating regulations and indirectly affects businesses and citizens subject to those rules. The bill aims to increase transparency and accountability in the rulemaking process for significant regulations.