Bills › 91st General Assembly
Providing for the conduct of licensed veterinarians when involved in certain legal matters involving the alleged mistreatment of animals, including by providing for immunity from administrative, civil, or criminal liability when acting in good faith; providing for administrative, civil, or criminal liability when not acting in good faith; and making penalties applicable
Sponsored by Rep. Eric J. Gjerde (D), Rep. David Jacoby (D)
Topics:Courts & civil law
Where it is now
- Done: IntroducedFebruary 6, 2025
- Done: SubcommitteeFebruary 13, 2025
- Stopped: House committeeDied when the General Assembly ended
- Next: Passes the House
- Next: Senate committeeFunnel: by March 20, 2026
- Next: Passes the Senate
- Next: To the Governor
- Next: Signed into law
Died when the session ended The General Assembly adjourned on October 2, 2026. Bills that didn’t pass both chambers died. What’s a funnel?
What’s in it
IMMUNITY FROM LIABILITY —— LIMITATIONS —— ADMINISTRATIVE, CIVIL, AND CRIMINAL LIABILITY. This bill amends provisions in Code chapter 169, the Iowa veterinary practice Act, by providing that a licensed veterinarian who acts in good faith is immune from administrative, civil, or criminal liability for actions involving cases of alleged animal misconduct under several Code chapters. Code chapter 717B prohibits various forms of animal mistreatment, including abuse, neglect, torture, and injuring or interfering with a police service dog; Code chapter 717C prohibits bestiality; and Code chapter 717D prohibits animal contest events.
Read the full explanation
The licensed veterinarian is shielded from civil or criminal liability for cooperating in a criminal investigation including by making a report to a peace officer or providing the peace officer with information regarding a client’s conduct; assisting a county or city in rescuing a threatened animal; participating in a civil proceeding to determine the disposition of an animal or complying with a court order arising from that proceeding; or providing evidence in an administrative, civil, or criminal proceeding. However, the bill also provides that a licensed veterinarian who knowingly makes a false report to a peace officer or knowingly provides the peace officer with false information regarding a client’s conduct is not acting in good faith, is subject to disciplinary action by the board, is civilly liable for damages proximately caused by making such report or providing such information to a peace officer, and is guilty of a simple misdemeanor. A simple misdemeanor is punishable by confinement for no more than days and a fine of at least $105 but not more than $855.10). BACKGROUND. The offenses in Code chapter 717B apply generally to all nonhuman vertebrate animals, including dogs and cats, unless specifically excluded. It does not apply to livestock (Code chapter 717); game, fur-bearing animals, fish, reptiles, or amphibians (Code chapter 481A), unless such animal is owned, confined, or controlled by a person; or nongame animals declared to be a nuisance by the natural resource commission (Code chapter 481A). A local authority (city or county) may rescue a threatened animal and a court may provide for the disposition of that animal. A threatened animal is an animal that has been abused, neglected, or tortured. Code chapter 717C applies to any nonhuman vertebrate animal without exception and the offense involves a person’s sexual contact with the animal. Code chapter 717D also applies to any nonhuman vertebrate animal without exception and the offense involves a person participating in an event organized for entertainment or profit where any animal is injured, tormented, or killed.
From the explanation printed with the bill as introduced, written by the Legislative Services Agency. Amendments adopted later aren’t reflected. Full bill text
House subcommittee
Named February 17, 2025. Meeting: Monday, February 24 · 12:00 PM · RM 103 (Cancelled).
Three legislators hear a bill first and recommend what the committee should do; it’s the best time to weigh in. How to take part
Iowa Code it changes
Creates§169.18A
Read from the bill as introduced. Each links to every bill touching that chapter of the Iowa Code. How the Code works
Lobbying
3 for · 0 against · 1 undecided · Who →
Family tree
Where this legislation came from and where it went: earlier tries, the versions it moved through this Assembly, and later bills built on it.
Tried before
91st General Assembly
Earlier and later bills are matched by wording or an identical title; check the text to be sure it’s the same idea.
Tried before
This idea has been filed in 2 earlier General Assemblies. None became law, though one got through a chamber.
- HF 472 Providing for the conduct of licensed veterinarians when involved in certain legal matters…90th General Assembly · Passed House · same titlePassed a chamber
- SF 316 Providing for the conduct of licensed veterinarians when involved in certain legal matters…90th General Assembly · Approved by committee · same titleCleared committee
- HF 2429 Providing for the conduct of licensed veterinarians when involved in certain legal matters…89th General Assembly · Passed House · same titlePassed a chamber
Similar bills this General Assembly
- HF 869 Providing for the conduct of licensed veterinarians when involved in certain legal matters…91st General Assembly · Passed HouseNearly identical
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.