House File 2388 - Introduced HOUSE FILE 2388 BY MOHR A BILL FOR An Act relating to public records, including employment 1 separation information for certain government employees, 2 contractors, or appointees. 3 BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF IOWA: 4 TLSB 5875YH (2) 91 lh/ns
H.F. 2388 Section 1. Section 22.7, subsection 11, paragraph a, Code 1 2026, is amended by adding the following new subparagraphs: 2 NEW SUBPARAGRAPH . (6) The last date the individual, 3 who resigned from or was discharged by the government body, 4 performed work or actively carried out essential functions 5 of the position, regardless of whether the information is 6 contained in a written document, contract, agreement, or 7 arrangement. 8 NEW SUBPARAGRAPH . (7) The reasons a government body 9 terminated a contract, at-will employment, or engagement with 10 the individual, including the specific details of any alleged 11 misconduct or breach of contract by the individual, regardless 12 of whether the information is contained in a written document, 13 contract, agreement, or arrangement. 14 NEW SUBPARAGRAPH . (8) The amount of moneys and public 15 benefits provided to the individual for any continuation of 16 pay, severance, or other compensation or benefits in excess of 17 the amounts owed for work performed by the individual prior 18 to the individual’s last day as an employee, contractor, or 19 appointee for the government body, regardless of whether the 20 information is contained in a written document, contract, 21 agreement, or arrangement. 22 EXPLANATION 23 The inclusion of this explanation does not constitute agreement with 24 the explanation’s substance by the members of the general assembly. 25 Under current law, a person has the right to examine and 26 copy a public record. Code section 22.7 provides a list of 27 public records that must be kept confidential unless otherwise 28 ordered by a court, by the lawful custodian of the records, or 29 by another person duly authorized to release such information, 30 including personal information in confidential personnel 31 records of government bodies. However, Code section 22.7(11) 32 provides that certain personal information in confidential 33 personnel records is considered a public record. 34 This bill further specifies that certain personal 35 -1- LSB 5875YH (2) 91 lh/ns 1/ 2
H.F. 2388 information in confidential personnel records regarding the 1 separation of government employees, contractors, or appointees 2 is a public record, regardless of whether the information 3 is set forth in a written document, contract, agreement, or 4 arrangement. Such information includes the last date of work, 5 the reasons for separation including any alleged misconduct 6 or breach of contract, and any moneys or public benefits 7 provided beyond compensation for work performed prior to the 8 individual’s last day as an employee, contractor, or appointee 9 for the government body. 10 -2- LSB 5875YH (2) 91 lh/ns 2/ 2