497—2.1(23) Complaints.
	2.1(1) Form. A complaint shall be written and signed by the person filing the complaint on forms provided by the board or shall be submitted electronically via the board’s website. The complaint shall allege a violation of Iowa Code chapter 21 or 22; provide specific facts in support of the allegation, including the identification of persons and government entity involved in the alleged violation; and provide the specific relief sought. A complaint involving an injunction under Iowa Code section 23.5(3) shall be filed and conducted in accordance with the provisions set out in 497—Chapter 10.
	2.1(2) Board acceptance or dismissal. Upon receipt of a written complaint alleging a violation of Iowa Code chapter 21 or 22, the board shall either:
	a. 	Accept the complaint, following a review of the allegations on their face, having determined that the complaint is within the board’s jurisdiction, appears legally sufficient, and could have merit; or
	b. 	Dismiss the complaint, following a review of the allegations on their face, having determined that the complaint is outside the board’s jurisdiction, appears legally insufficient, is frivolous, is without merit, involves harmless error, or relates to a specific incident that has previously been disposed of on its merits by the board or a court.
	2.1(3) Delegation. In order to expedite proceedings, the board may delegate acceptance or dismissal of a complaint to the executive director, subject to review by the board. The board’s staff may conduct an initial review of the complaint and obtain more information to assist in the decision to accept or dismiss the complaint.
	2.1(4) Notice. If the complaint is accepted, the board shall notify the parties in writing. If the complaint is dismissed, the board shall notify the complainant in writing and explain its reasons for dismissal.
	2.1(5) Board review. The board’s review of a formal complaint for legal sufficiency is not a contested case proceeding and shall be made solely on the facts alleged in the complaint and the results of the initial review conducted by the board’s staff.
This rule is intended to implement Iowa Code section 23.8.
[ARC 0741C, IAB 5/15/13, effective 7/1/13; ARC 2089C, IAB 8/5/15, effective 9/9/15; ARC 2913C, IAB 1/18/17, effective 2/22/17; ARC 2914C, IAB 1/18/17, effective 2/22/17; ARC 6675C, IAB 11/16/22, effective 12/21/22]