HF 2136 (LSB 5286YH (1) 91)

HOUSE FILE 2136

BY  FISHER

A BILL FOR

An Act relating to the confidentiality of library records of a minor.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF IOWA:

    Section 1.  Section 22.7, subsection 13, Code 2026, is amended to read as follows:
   13.  a.  The Except as otherwise provided in paragraphs “b” and “c”, records of a library which, by themselves or when examined with other public records, would reveal the identity of the library patron checking out or requesting an item or information from the library.
   b.  The records shall be released to a criminal or juvenile justice agency only pursuant to an investigation of a particular person or organization suspected of committing a known crime. The records shall be released only upon a judicial determination that a rational connection exists between the requested release of information and a legitimate end and that the need for the information is cogent and compelling.
   c.  The records shall be released to the parent or guardian of a library patron who is a minor child upon the request of the parent or guardian.
EXPLANATION
The inclusion of this explanation does not constitute agreement with
the explanation’s substance by the members of the general assembly.
   This bill relates to the confidentiality of library records of a minor.
   Under Code section 22.7 (confidential records), library records which, by themselves or when examined with other public records, would reveal the identity of the library patron checking out or requesting an item or information from the library shall be kept confidential unless otherwise allowed by a court, by the lawful custodian of the records, or by another person duly authorized to release such information. However, library records may be released to a criminal or juvenile justice agency only pursuant to an investigation of a particular person or organization suspected of committing a known crime and only upon a judicial determination that a rational connection exists between the requested release of information and a legitimate end and that the need for the information is cogent and compelling.
   The bill also provides for the release of library records to the parent or guardian of a library patron who is a minor child upon the request of the parent or guardian.