Relating to court records of actions that have been found to be frivolous and actions for slander or libel

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Where it is now

Done: IntroducedFebruary 12, 2024
Stopped: SubcommitteeDied when the General Assembly ended
Next: House committee
Next: Passes the House
Next: Senate committee
Next: Passes the Senate
Next: To the Governor
Next: Signed into law

Died when the session ended The 2024 session adjourned on April 19, 2024, the General Assembly’s last regular session. Bills that didn’t pass both chambers died. What’s a funnel?

What’s in it

This bill relates to sealing court records of an action that has been found to be frivolous or an action for slander or libel. The bill provides that a court shall seal the court records of an action that has been found to be frivolous or an action for slander or libel not later than three days from the date of the hearing if any of the following have occurred: the defendant is found not liable, the court finds there is no genuine issue of material fact between the parties or dismisses the plaintiff’s claim, the plaintiff withdraws the claim, the plaintiff does not appear for the hearing, or if by consent of both parties.

Read the full explanation

The bill provides that upon application of a defendant found liable in an action for slander or libel, the court shall seal the court records if more than three years have passed since disposition, the applicant has not been found liable in subsequent slander or libel action in the three-year period preceding the application, and the applicant within the last years has not been granted a sealing of an action for slander or libel. The application to seal shall be included in the sealed court records. The bill provides that upon sealing of court records, all filings, documentation, and writs of association shall be removed from any publicly accessible location. Court records sealed shall not be available for public inspection. However, the clerk of court in the county in which an action is originated shall maintain a record in the aggregate of all filings and make such information available to the public in such a manner prescribed by the supreme court as to protect the identity of the parties while still providing the public with information relating to an action that has been found to be frivolous or for slander or libel in the county. The bill provides that upon sealing the clerk of court shall not disclose the existence of, or information regarding, an action for slander or libel or other civil action sealed or made confidential under the bill.

From the explanation printed with the bill as introduced, written by the Legislative Services Agency. Amendments adopted later aren’t reflected. Full bill text

Iowa Code it changes

Creates§624B.1

Read from the bill as introduced. Each links to every bill touching that chapter of the Iowa Code. How the Code works

Tried before

This idea has been filed in an earlier General Assembly. None became law, though one got through a chamber.

HF 820 Relating to court records for residential forcible entry and detainer actions
89th General Assembly · Passed House · similar
Passed a chamber

Matched by the wording of each bill’s explanation, or an identical title. Companion bills and renumbered versions of this bill aren’t listed; they’re the same bill.