The bill amends Section 327C.37 of the Iowa Code to establish new protocols for investigating train accidents that result in personal injury or death. It mandates that railway corporations immediately notify the department of any such accidents, which may lead to an investigation and a report to the governor detailing the injuries, fatalities, and potential mismanagement by the railway corporation. Notably, the report generated by the department is explicitly stated to be confidential and not subject to open records laws, meaning it cannot be disclosed or used as evidence in court.

Additionally, the bill introduces provisions to protect the personal information of train crew members who die in accidents, ensuring that such information remains confidential and is not released to the public. Access to unredacted reports containing this personal information is restricted to specific entities, including the railway corporation involved and law enforcement officers for official duties. Violations of these provisions are classified as schedule one penalties, which carry a fine of $100 per violation.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 327C.37