DES MOINES, Iowa — Law enforcement protections at state universities in Iowa could see significant changes if a newly passed bill becomes law. The bill, known as House Study Bill 738, aims to prevent state universities from implementing policies that restrict police from enforcing local, state, or municipal laws. It also proposes that the attorney general investigate complaints against universities for potential violations.
Under the bill, state universities found by civil court to have intentionally discouraged or barred law enforcement from enforcing laws would be denied state funds for the fiscal year in which the violation occurred. This provision aligns with penalties that currently apply to local entities.
Supporters of the bill argue that recent protests and riots, such as those that unfolded following the murder of George Floyd in 2020, highlight the need for officers to have the ability to enforce laws on and off campus. They claim that the “Back the Blue” law, which was passed in 2021 and restricts municipalities from impeding law enforcement, fails to extend those protections to state universities.
Opponents of the bill, including representatives of the Iowa Board of Regents, express concerns about potential conflicts of interest arising from having the attorney general handle violation complaints, as the attorney general already defends the universities in necessary cases. They also argue that certain provisions in the bill are redundant, such as those related to allowing law enforcement to enforce laws on campus and providing accommodations for injured officers.
In addition to the proposed changes to university law enforcement policies, the bill includes other provisions. These include allowing officers under administrative investigation to request incident reports and audio or video footage related to the incident. The bill also removes the term “improper” when discussing the decertification of officers due to serious misconduct, defining it as illegal actions that involve felony convictions, bribes, and excessive force “in violation of the law.”
Critics of the bill, such as the Iowa Law Enforcement Academy President Brady Carney, worry that the proposed changes could place additional financial and administrative burdens on the Academy and hinder efforts to police misconduct among officers.
While the bill has received support from some lawmakers, including Subcommittee Chair Rep. Brooke Boden, who emphasizes the importance of protecting law enforcement officers at state universities, further discussions and clarifications are expected as the bill moves forward to the House Ways and Means Committee.
This bill could have significant implications for law enforcement practices and accountability at state universities in Iowa. It remains to be seen how the proposed changes will be received and whether they will ultimately become law.
Note: This article has been written in accordance with AP News Style, without directly quoting any news organizations or mentioning AP News or any other news company.