Bill > SF311

This bill makes several modifications to civil service employee procedures in Iowa cities. It changes the composition of civil service commissions in cities with over 50,000 people, expanding the number of commissioners from three to between five and seven, and mandates (rather than merely allowing) the city council to establish this number. The bill strengthens protections for civil service employees by requiring that removals, discharges, demotions, or suspensions be done only with "just cause" and based on a preponderance of evidence. It introduces new procedural requirements for disciplinary actions, such as mandating that cities prove the proportionality and reasonableness of punishments, and prohibiting the withholding of exculpatory evidence from employees facing charges. The bill also modifies hearing procedures, allowing employees to request closed deliberation sessions in smaller cities, mandates specific considerations for evaluating disciplinary actions, and provides potential avenues for attorney fees and cost recovery for certain employees who successfully challenge disciplinary actions. Additionally, the bill prevents cities with civil service commissions from establishing citizen review boards for officer conduct and clarifies various procedural aspects of civil service commission hearings and appeals.

Local Government (Senate)

https://www.legis.iowa.gov/legislation/BillBook?ga=91&ba=SF311