Labor & Employment

in committee · Iowa · Senate Feb 16, 2026

SF 2194: A bill for an act relating to the peace officer, public safety, and emergency personnel bill of rights.

SF 2194 amends Iowa law to strengthen procedural protections for peace officers, firefighters, EMTs, and other public safety personnel during disciplinary investigations. The bill requires agencies to provide officers with written complaint summaries and access to relevant evidence (like incident reports and recordings) before interviews, allows officers to have legal counsel or union representatives present during investigations, and mandates audio recording of all investigative interviews. It also prohibits using statements obtained in violation of these procedures against officers for disciplinary action. The bill directly affects certified public safety personnel facing formal administrative investigations across Iowa.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill strengthens procedural protections for public safety personnel during disciplinary investigations, directly advancing workers' rights in employment procedures per topic definition.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Collective Bargaining

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in committee · Iowa · House Feb 19, 2026

HF 2630: A bill for an act relating to salaries of peace officers of the department of public safety.

HF 2630 sets specific salary increases for peace officers in Iowa's Department of Public Safety based on rank. It requires that sergeants earn 15% more than senior troopers, lieutenants earn 10% more than sergeants, captains/special agent in charge earn 10% more than lieutenants, majors/assistant directors earn 10% more than captains, and colonels/directors earn 15% more than majors. Sworn supervisors, including conservation officer supervisors, must receive the same wage and merit increases negotiated through collective bargaining under Chapter 20. The bill directly affects all peace officers and supervisors within the Department of Public Safety.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill mandates specific salary increases for peace officers, requiring additional state budget appropriations for law enforcement salaries, thus increasing funding for a public service.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill mandates specific salary increases for peace officers based on rank, directly advancing wage standards within law enforcement, a subset of labor protections.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Collective Bargaining

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in committee · Iowa · House Feb 6, 2026

HF 2318: A bill for an act relating to eligibility for unemployment benefits for participants in strikes or other labor disputes.

HF 2318 amends Iowa's unemployment benefits law to allow workers participating in strikes or labor disputes to receive benefits starting on the 15th day of the work stoppage. It removes the current disqualification for strikers and exempts them from the standard requirement to actively seek other employment during the strike. This applies to workers at the workplace where they were last employed, such as a factory or establishment. The bill does not change other eligibility criteria, like being able to work and available for work, but specifically waives disqualification and work search rules for strike participants after 14 days.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentRemoves disqualification for strikers from unemployment benefits, allowing access after 15 days without seeking other work, strengthening worker protections during labor disputes.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Collective Bargaining Unemployment

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in committee · Iowa · House Feb 25, 2026

HF 2726: A bill for an act relating to testing for communicable diseases for certain persons who have committed an assault against a member of a protected occupation, and including penalties.

This Iowa bill (HF 2726) strengthens penalties for assaults against specific public safety and health workers (like police, nurses, correctional staff, and firefighters) and adds a new requirement for disease testing. It defines "protected occupations" and classifies assaults on these workers as serious crimes (felonies or aggravated misdemeanors) based on circumstances like weapon use or injury. Crucially, if a victim contacts bodily fluids (blood, saliva, etc.) during an assault and suspects the perpetrator may have a communicable disease, they can request a court-ordered medical test of the perpetrator. The medical professional conducting the test must then share results directly with the victim as soon as possible. This provision applies specifically to assaults where bodily fluid exposure occurred, focusing on victim safety and transparency.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeStrengthens penalties for assaults on first responders, expanding criminalization and increasing sentencing severity - contradicts reform indicators like reducing recidivism or protecting rights.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentProtects workers in protected occupations (e.g., nurses, police) by increasing penalties for assaults, directly enhancing workplace safety for these employees.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Policing Violent Crime

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in committee · Iowa · House Feb 18, 2026

HF 2480: A bill for an act providing for a veterans’ benefits and services poster for employers to display in the workplace.

HF 2480 requires Iowa employers with 50+ full-time employees to display a poster in the workplace providing veterans with key resources. The poster, created by the Department of Inspections, Appeals, and Licensing in coordination with the Iowa Department of Veterans Affairs, must include information on mental health services, education/training programs, tax benefits, vehicle registration, unemployment insurance, and legal services. Employers must display the poster in an easy-to-see location accessible to all employees. This bill directly affects covered employers and ensures veterans have clear access to available benefits and services.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentRequires employers to display unemployment insurance info, aiding worker access to existing benefits under labor & employment standards.92% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransMandates employer display of veterans' resource poster including mental health, education, tax benefits, and legal services, improving access to existing support.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Unemployment Veteran Employment

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in committee · Iowa · House Feb 10, 2026

HF 2381: A bill for an act requiring school districts, accredited nonpublic schools, charter schools, and innovation zone schools to grant coaches leaves of absence to attend professional development activities.

HF 2381 requires all Iowa public school districts, accredited nonpublic schools, charter schools, and innovation zone schools to grant coaches with authorization a paid leave of absence for professional development. The bill mandates that schools provide at least two days of leave per school year for coaches to attend training programs or conferences, without any loss of seniority, pay, benefits (including health insurance), vacation time, or other employment protections. This directly affects school employees holding coaching authorizations who need to participate in required professional training. The law ensures coaches can attend development opportunities without financial or career penalties, aligning with existing leave requirements for school districts.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates paid professional development leave for coaches without loss of pay/benefits, directly supporting educator development and retention in schools.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentRequires paid leave without loss of pay/benefits for coaches, strengthening employment protections and professional development rights.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Paid Leave

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in committee · Iowa · House Mar 31, 2026

HJR 2008: A joint resolution proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the State of Iowa relating to worker rights.

This proposed constitutional amendment would guarantee Iowa workers the right to form unions, negotiate wages and working conditions through their chosen representatives, and protect workplace safety. It specifically prohibits state laws that interfere with collective bargaining or require union membership as a condition of employment. The amendment would directly affect all Iowa workers and employers, adding these protections to the state constitution. If passed by the legislature and approved by voters, it would become part of Iowa's fundamental law.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentGuarantees union formation, collective bargaining rights, and workplace safety protections while prohibiting interference with these rights under state law.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Collective Bargaining Labor Standards Minimum Wage

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in committee · Iowa · Senate Feb 25, 2026

SF 2223: A bill for an act relating to career education, including by modifying provisions related to career academies, the collective statewide articulation agreement between community colleges and the state board of regents, the district-to-community college sharing or concurrent enrollment program, and individual career and academic plans.

SF 2223 modifies Iowa's career education system to better align high school programs with workforce needs. It requires the workforce development board and community colleges to create statewide and regional lists of high-demand jobs, which will guide apprenticeships, scholarships, and summer programs. The bill updates credit transfer agreements between community colleges and four-year universities to prioritize seamless transfer of career and technical education credits. Additionally, it expands funding for high school students taking college-level classes at community colleges through concurrent enrollment programs.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationModifies career education systems to align with workforce needs, enhances credit transfer for career programs, and expands pathways - advancing educational access and program quality.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentAligns education with high-demand jobs via apprenticeships/scholarships, enhancing workforce readiness and labor market alignment per bill's focus on career pathways.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Career & Technical Education Higher Education K-12 Education Workforce Development

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in committee · Iowa · House Feb 10, 2026

HF 2383: A bill for an act relating to training for health care facility inspectors, and making appropriations.

HF 2383 creates a program to help certified nurse aides transition into health care facility inspector roles. It requires the state department to establish continuing education for dual certification as both a nurse aide and inspector, and funds a grant program offering up to $2,000 per applicant to cover training costs based on their experience and training needs. The bill also mandates community colleges to develop a 30-40 hour certificate program on inspection processes, abuse prevention, and incident reporting, designed to complement nursing assistant training. These provisions aim to expand the pool of qualified inspectors while providing structured pathways for current nurse aides to advance their careers.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareFunds $2,000 grants for nurse aides transitioning to inspectors and mandates inspector training programs, enhancing healthcare facility oversight and workforce development in long-term care.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentFunds $2,000 training grants for nurse aides to transition into inspector roles, enhancing career advancement and employment opportunities in health care facilities.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Healthcare Workforce Long-Term Care Professional Licensing

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in committee · Iowa · Senate Feb 12, 2026

SF 2239: A bill for an act relating to a family leave and medical leave insurance program that provides for paid, job-protected leave for certain family leave and medical leave reasons for eligible employees of specified employers.

SF 2239 establishes Iowa's first state-run paid family and medical leave insurance program. It requires private employers with 10+ employees and all public employers to provide eligible workers with up to 12 weeks of paid leave for family reasons (like bonding with a newborn or caring for a sick family member) and up to 12 weeks for medical reasons (an employee's own serious health condition). To qualify, employees must have worked 1,250 hours over the past 12 months for their employer. The program, administered by the Iowa Department of Workforce Development, allows a combined maximum of 16 weeks of paid leave for both family and medical needs within any 12-month period.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareEstablishes state-run paid medical leave insurance, expanding health coverage access for employees with serious health conditions and improving patient access to care during medical needs.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentEstablishes paid family/medical leave requiring employers to provide job-protected paid leave, expanding worker benefits and rights under employment standards.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Paid Leave Workforce Development

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