Senate advances bill increasing penalties for assaults on certain public‑safety and corrections workers

Senate File 397 was placed on final reading after sponsors said the measure updates current law to account for increased risks faced by public‑safety workers. Senators moved the bill for final passage and the Senate recorded a unanimous or constitutionally sufficient vote during the floor action.

Sponsors urged the chamber to recognize the hazards faced daily by Iowans who work in public‑safety and related occupations. The measure adds “spitting or other contact with saliva” to the list of actions covered in the assault chapter when directed at certain occupations and increases the penalty in the catch‑all provision for other assaults from a serious misdemeanor to an aggravated misdemeanor. The bill also amends the inmate‑assault chapter to add identical language regarding saliva contact for assaults on corrections personnel.

Senators from Dickinson and Rowley spoke in closing, stressing the bill’s intent to align penalties with the risks public‑safety and corrections employees face. The motion to read the bill the final time was made on the floor and the secretary read the bill as required by procedure. The recorded roll call noted all senators present for the action; the clerk confirmed the bill had received the votes required to proceed on the floor.

The transcript did not supply a detailed implementation timeline or reference a fiscal note on the floor. The measure was ordered messaged to the next legislative step following the Senate action.