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IA SF65

A bill for an act relating to background investigations for certification or recertification as a law enforcement officer.


summary

Introduced
01/16/2025
In Committee
01/16/2025
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead

Introduced Session

91st General Assembly

Bill Summary

This bill relates to background investigations for certification or recertification as a law enforcement officer. The bill provides that prior to enrollment in a certifying training program, all law enforcement officers shall be of good moral character as determined through a thorough background investigation and shall not have been convicted of any felony or a crime or adjudication involving moral turpitude. The bill defines “moral turpitude” as an act of baseness, vileness, or depravity in the private and social duties that a person owes to another person or to society in general, and includes conduct that is contrary to justice, honesty, or good morals. The bill provides that a crime or adjudication involving moral turpitude includes but is not limited to any of the following: offenses of domestic violence; an adjudication of delinquency based on conduct that would constitute a felony if committed by an adult; any sex crime or crime listed in Code chapter 709 (sexual abuse); any crime committed as an adult that resulted in being listed on the sex offender registry; an adjudication of delinquency based on conduct that would constitute a crime if committed by an adult that resulted in being listed on the sex offender registry; or any crime involving child abuse. The bill provides that law enforcement officers seeking recertification shall be subject to the same background investigation.

AI Summary

This bill establishes new requirements for background investigations for law enforcement officers seeking initial certification or recertification in Iowa. The bill defines "moral turpitude" as conduct that demonstrates baseness, vileness, or a lack of good moral character, and mandates that all law enforcement officers must pass a thorough background investigation before enrolling in a training program or being recertified. Specifically, officers will be disqualified if they have been convicted of certain types of crimes, including domestic violence, felonies (even if committed as a juvenile), sex crimes, crimes resulting in sex offender registry placement, and child abuse. The legislation aims to ensure that law enforcement officers meet high standards of personal conduct and moral character, with the goal of maintaining public trust and safety by preventing individuals with serious criminal histories from serving in law enforcement roles. The background investigation requirements apply both to initial certification and subsequent recertification, creating a consistent standard for screening law enforcement personnel throughout their careers.

Committee Categories

Justice

Sponsors (2)

Last Action

Subcommittee: Schultz, Bousselot, and Petersen. S.J. 136. (on 01/23/2025)

bill text


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