HF 901 (LSB 2228HV (3) 91)

HOUSE FILE 901

BY  COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC SAFETY

(SUCCESSOR TO HF 539)

(As Amended and Passed by the House 2025-03-24)

A BILL FOR

An Act relating to the law enforcement academy, including military veterans with active duty military police experience and former federal law enforcement officers.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF IOWA:

    Section 1.  NEW SECTION.  80B.20  Military veterans with active duty military police experience —— former federal law enforcement officers.
   1.  A veteran may qualify for lateral transfer to a law enforcement agency in this state without completing the academy training program if the veteran meets the following criteria:
   a.  Has served a minimum of four years of active duty in the United States armed forces.
   b.  Has held a primary military occupational specialty or equivalent designation as a military police officer in the army, or its equivalent in other branches, and has primarily served in a law enforcement capacity.
   c.  Has successfully completed accredited military police training equivalent to or exceeding the academy’s standards.
   d.  Has received an honorable discharge within three years of applying for a lateral transfer.
   2.  A former federal law enforcement officer may qualify for lateral transfer to a law enforcement agency in this state without completing the academy training program if the former federal law enforcement officer meets the following criteria:
   a.  Has served a minimum of four years as a federal law enforcement officer.
   b.  Has successfully completed accredited federal law enforcement training equivalent to or exceeding the academy’s standards within three years of applying for a lateral transfer.
   3.  An eligible veteran shall submit an application to the council for evaluation. The application shall include all of the following:
   a.  Proof of military service and discharge status.
   b.  Certification of military police training and experience.
   c.  Documentation of relevant duties performed during active duty.
   4.  An eligible federal law enforcement officer shall submit an application to the council for evaluation. The application shall include all of the following:
   a.  Proof of employment as a federal law enforcement officer.
   b.  Certification of federal law enforcement training and experience.
   c.  Documentation of relevant duties performed during employment as a federal law enforcement officer.
   5.  The council shall review the applications and issue a certificate of equivalency to veterans or former federal law enforcement officers who meet the respective eligibility criteria.
   6.  Veterans or former federal law enforcement officers granted a certificate of equivalency must do all of the following:
   a.  Complete an Iowa-specific law enforcement orientation course administered by the academy, focusing on state laws, procedures, and community policing that is equivalent to the training required of an out-of-state law enforcement officer transferring to a law enforcement agency in this state.
   b.  Undergo any required background checks and psychological evaluations as required for all new law enforcement hires in this state.
   7.  Failure of a veteran or former federal law enforcement officer to become certified within one year of being granted a certificate of equivalency shall void the certificate and would require the veteran or former federal law enforcement officer to resubmit an application for a new certificate of equivalency.
   8.  The council shall develop procedures and guidelines for evaluating military police training and equivalency standards.
   9.  The council shall publish an annual report including data on the number of veterans and former federal law enforcement officers transitioning to state law enforcement and the veterans’ and former federal law enforcement officers’ performance in law enforcement roles.