SF 2205 (LSB 2363SZ (5) 90)

RELATING TO REQUIREMENTS FOR THE HIRING OF CIVIL SERVICE  POSITIONS. 

BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF IOWA:

    Section 1.  Section 400.8, subsection 2, Code 2024, is amended to read as follows:
   2.  a.  The commission shall establish the guidelines for conducting the examinations under subsection 1 of this section. The commission shall hire persons with expertise to prepare and administer the examinations approved by the commission. It may also hire persons with expertise to consult in the preparation of such examinations if the persons so hired are employed to aid personnel of the commission in assuring that a fair examination is conducted. A fair examination shall explore the competence of the applicant in the particular field of examination.

   b.  An applicant who has successfully completed training at the Iowa law enforcement academy or another training facility certified by the director of the Iowa law enforcement academy does not need to retake a civil service examination upon changing employment from one Iowa law enforcement agency to another Iowa law enforcement agency, or upon becoming employed by more than one Iowa law enforcement agency simultaneously, if the applicant has previously passed a civil service examination when the applicant was initially hired as a certified peace officer and if, without a break of not more than one hundred eighty days from prior law enforcement service, the applicant is hired by another Iowa law enforcement agency. However, the applicant shall complete and pass the applicable physical examination provided in subsection 1 prior to beginning the new employment.
    Sec. 2.  NEW SECTION.  400.12A  Hiring practices —— suspension —— reinstatement.
   1.  A city council, by majority vote, may suspend the practices specified in subsection 2 that are generally required pursuant to this chapter for the hiring of an employee of a department governed by civil service. A suspension shall not be in effect for more than one year, but a city council may immediately vote to implement a new suspension of the required practices upon the expiration of the prior suspension. Upon the expiration of a suspension, hiring practices required under this chapter shall be immediately reinstated for the applicable positions. A city council, by majority vote, may reinstate hiring practices suspended pursuant to this section prior to the expiration of the suspension. A subsequent vote to suspend required hiring practices, even if the vote occurs prior to the original expiration date of the prior suspension, shall be considered a vote for a new suspension.
   2.  The provisions of section 400.11, subsection 1, paragraph “a” may be suspended as provided in subsection 1.
   3.  a.  This section does not relieve an employee of a department governed by civil service from the requirements to complete all examinations and tests applicable to those persons for positions subject to the provisions of this chapter.
   b.  This section shall not be construed to preclude an employee of a department governed by civil service from accessing rights, benefits, or privileges provided outside of this chapter.

______________________________
AMY SINCLAIR
President of the Senate

______________________________
PAT GRASSLEY
Speaker of the House

   I hereby certify that this bill originated in the Senate and is known as Senate File 2205, Ninetieth General Assembly.

______________________________
W. CHARLES SMITHSON
Secretary of the Senate

Approved _______________, 2024

______________________________
KIM REYNOLDS
Governor