DES MOINES - The Iowa Legislature passed a bill this session that would establish the rights of residents and property owners to summon emergency assistance when necessary without penalty. The bill was signed by Gov. Terry Branstad (R).
The law prohibits a city, county or other governmental entity from adopting or enforcing any ordinance or regulation that would penalize a property owner or resident for a contact made for law enforcement assistance or other emergency assistance by or on behalf of a victim of abuse, a victim of a crime or an individual in an emergency.
The law's provisions would explicitly supersede any local ordinance, rule or regulation that conflicts with them. A property owner would also be prohibited from restricting or limiting a residents rights to access such emergency assistance. Legal remedies would also be provided, including injunctive relief and civil penalties.
This legislation is similar to legislation enacted in Pennsylvania in 2014 that provides protection for any property owner or resident who faces penalty under a local ordinance because police or emergency services were called or responded to a situation where intervention was needed in response to abuse, crime or an emergency. Callers who reasonably believe emergency response is necessary to prevent such an event are also covered. The law also authorized property owners and residents to seek remedies in court against any municipality that violates these protections.
Sources: American Civil Liberties Union, Iowa Legislature