Relating to officer disciplinary actions

However, a law enforcement agency may dismiss, suspend, demote, or take other disciplinary action against an officer based on the underlying actions that resulted in the officer’s name being placed on a Brady list including any impeachment evidence against the officer or evidence that the officer failed to provide a defendant with exculpatory evidence. The bill establishes a legislative interim committee to study the disclosure of officer personnel files as such information relates to a Brady list, study the efficiency of implementing a statewide system for a Brady list, identify impartial entities to conduct investigations pertaining to an officer’s acts and omissions to act, and recommend appropriate procedures, due process protections, appeal rights, and criteria for the placement and removal of an officer’s name on and from a Brady list. The committee may solicit the advice or testimony of any organization or individual with information or expertise relevant to its study. The committee shall consist of legislative members and members representing various interested stakeholder organizations, the department of public safety, and the court. The committee shall issue a report, including findings and recommendations, to the governor and the general assembly no later than December 16, 2020. The bill defines “Brady list” as a list of officers maintained by the county attorney’s office, including officers who may have impeached themselves as witnesses and officers who may have violated the pretrial discovery rule established by Brady v.S. (1963) requiring officers to turn over all evidence that might be used to exonerate a defendant.1, “officer” means a certified law enforcement officer, fire fighter, emergency medical technician, corrections officer, detention officer, jailer, probation or parole officer, communications officer, or any other law enforcement officer certified by the Iowa law enforcement academy and employed by a municipality, county, or state agency.