House File 2638 - Introduced HOUSE FILE 2638 BY COMMITTEE ON LOCAL GOVERNMENT (SUCCESSOR TO HF 2388) 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 5875HV (2) 91 lh/ns
H.F. 2638 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 amount of moneys and public 9 benefits provided to the individual for any continuation of 10 pay, severance, or other compensation or benefits in excess of 11 the amounts owed for work performed by the individual prior 12 to the individual’s last day as an employee, contractor, or 13 appointee for the government body, regardless of whether the 14 information is contained in a written document, contract, 15 agreement, or arrangement. 16 EXPLANATION 17 The inclusion of this explanation does not constitute agreement with 18 the explanation’s substance by the members of the general assembly. 19 Under current law, a person has the right to examine and 20 copy a public record. Code section 22.7 provides a list of 21 public records that must be kept confidential unless otherwise 22 ordered by a court, by the lawful custodian of the records, or 23 by another person duly authorized to release such information, 24 including personal information in confidential personnel 25 records of government bodies. However, Code section 22.7(11) 26 provides that certain personal information in confidential 27 personnel records is considered a public record. 28 This bill further specifies that certain personal 29 information in confidential personnel records regarding the 30 separation of government employees, contractors, or appointees 31 is a public record, regardless of whether the information 32 is set forth in a written document, contract, agreement, or 33 arrangement. Such information includes the last date of 34 work and any moneys or benefits provided beyond compensation 35 -1- LSB 5875HV (2) 91 lh/ns 1/ 2
H.F. 2638 for work performed prior to the individual’s last day as an 1 employee, contractor, or appointee for the government body. 2 -2- LSB 5875HV (2) 91 lh/ns 2/ 2