Bill > HF2751

This bill strengthens protections for individuals in certain occupations by expanding the definition of "protected occupations" to include more public safety and health care roles, and it allows victims of assaults by these individuals to request communicable disease testing of the perpetrator if there's a risk of transmission, with results provided to the victim. It also establishes new provisions for the confidentiality of communications made by public safety officers and civilian employees (defined as those not in sworn or uniformed roles) to peer support counselors or during crisis intervention, meaning these conversations generally cannot be disclosed in legal proceedings or investigations unless they involve plans for a crime, threats of harm, or legally mandated reporting. Furthermore, the bill creates a new offense for obstructing first responders (law enforcement, probation/parole officers, firefighters, or emergency medical providers) by approaching or remaining within twenty-five feet after being warned not to, with the intent to impede their duties, threaten them, or harass them, which is classified as a serious misdemeanor.

Budget and Finance

Ways and Means (House)

https://www.legis.iowa.gov/legislation/BillBook?ga=91&ba=HF2751