The bill amends various sections of the Iowa Code concerning employment matters for public employees, particularly focusing on collective bargaining, educator employment, and civil service requirements. Key changes include the deletion of certain subsections in Sections 20.3, 20.6, 20.7, 20.8, and 20.12, which aim to streamline language and clarify the roles of public employers and employee organizations in negotiations. Notably, Section 20.9 is revised to emphasize good faith discussions on employment matters while excluding retirement systems from negotiations. The bill also introduces new provisions that prevent public employees or their organizations from negotiating directly with governing board members if a bargaining representative has been appointed, and it reduces the decertification period for employee organizations found in contempt of court from twenty-four months to twelve months.

Additionally, the bill modifies procedures related to teacher contract evaluations and terminations, including changes to timelines for private hearings and the appeal process for teachers. It establishes a structured process for selecting adjudicators in appeals and clarifies conditions for waiving or extending probationary periods for teachers. The bill reinstates statutory seniority rights for city civil service employees and outlines grounds for adverse employment actions, while changing the appeal process for civil service commission decisions to allow for a more comprehensive examination of cases. Overall, the bill aims to streamline and clarify the legal framework governing public employee employment matters in Iowa, enhancing the rights and procedures for both educators and civil service employees.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 20.3, 20.6, 20.8, 20.9, 20.10, 20.12, 20.14, 20.17, 20.22, 20.26, 20.29, 20.30, 20.31, 22.7, 70A.17A, 70A.19, 20.15, 279.14, 279.16, 279.13, 279.19, 279.15, 279.23, 29A.28, 256.9, 400.17, 400.18, 400.19, 400.20, 400.21, 400.22, 400.27, 400.28