ARC 0526D

ARC 0526D

LAW ENFORCEMENT ACADEMY[501]

Notice of Intended Action

Proposing rulemaking related to public safety telecommunicator standards
and providing an opportunity for public comment

    The Iowa Law Enforcement Academy Council hereby proposes to rescind Chapter 10, “Reserve Peace Officers,” and to adopt a new Chapter 10, “Public Safety Telecommunicator Standards,” Iowa Administrative Code.

Legal Authority for Rulemaking

    This rulemaking is proposed under the authority provided in Iowa Code chapters 17A and 80B.

State or Federal Law Implemented

    This rulemaking implements, in whole or in part, Iowa Code chapter 80B.

Purpose and Summary

    Proposed Chapter 10 describes the minimum training standards for public safety telecommunicators and required professional development. As a part of the Red Tape Review required by Executive Order 10, this chapter was reviewed and revised.

Regulatory Analysis

    A Regulatory Analysis for this rulemaking was published in the Iowa Administrative Bulletin on June 24, 2026. A public hearing was held on the following date(s):

     ?   July 15, 2026

    No public comments were received. No changes from the Regulatory Analysis have been made.

Fiscal Impact

     This rulemaking has no fiscal impact to the State of Iowa.

Jobs Impact

    After analysis and review of this rulemaking, no impact on jobs has been found.

Waivers

    Any person who believes that the application of the discretionary provisions of this rulemaking would result in hardship or injustice to that person may petition the Council for a waiver of the discretionary provisions, if any, pursuant to 7—Chapter 2504.

Public Comment

     Any interested person may submit written comments concerning this proposed rulemaking, which must be received by the Council no later than 4:30 p.m. on September 23, 2026. Comments should be directed to:

Public Hearing

    Public hearings at which persons may present their views orally or in writing will be held as follows:

    Persons who wish to make oral comments at a public hearing may be asked to state their names for the record and to confine their remarks to the subject of this proposed rulemaking.

     Any persons who intend to attend a public hearing and have special requirements, such as those related to hearing or mobility impairments, should contact the Council and advise of specific needs.

Review by Administrative Rules Review Committee

    The Administrative Rules Review Committee, a bipartisan legislative committee which oversees rulemaking by executive branch agencies, may, on its own motion or on written request by any individual or group, review this rulemaking at its regular monthly meeting or at a special meeting. The Committee’s meetings are open to the public, and interested persons may be heard as provided in Iowa Code section 17A.8(6).

    The following rulemaking action is proposed:

    ITEM 1.  Rescind 501—Chapter 10 and adopt the following new chapter in lieu thereof:

CHAPTER 10

PUBLIC SAFETY TELECOMMUNICATOR STANDARDS

501—10.1(80B) Public safety telecommunicator training committee. A training committee for public safety telecommunicators is established under Iowa Code section 7E.3(3) to consult with the director on minimum training standards. Members of the committee will meet at the call of the director and will be appointed by the director to serve a term of three years.

This rule is intended to implement Iowa Code sections 7E.3, 7E.4, and 80B.11C.

501—10.2(80B) Time to complete basic training course.

    10.2(1) Basic training required. All persons employed primarily as public safety telecommunicators will successfully complete the academy basic training course within one year of their date of hire.

    10.2(2) Agency administrator responsibility. It is the responsibility of the agency administrator to ensure that all telecommunicators under the agency administrator’s direction receive the academy basic training course within one year of employment.

This rule is intended to implement Iowa Code section 80B.11C.

501—10.3(80B) Qualifications for reciprocity. An individual employed as a full-time public safety telecommunicator within the 12-month period immediately preceding application, with two years of experience, may apply for reciprocity. In determining whether to grant reciprocity, the council will consider whether the telecommunicator completed a comparable training course and any other relevant information received by the council.

This rule is intended to implement Iowa Code section 80B.11C.

501—10.4(80B) Minimum standards for academy basic training course. The academy basic training course will consist of at least 40 hours, including a summative written assessment and a minimum of 8 hours practical application, and will be provided by council-approved instructors.

This rule is intended to implement Iowa Code sections 80B.11(1)“j” and 80B.11C.

501—10.5(80B) Public safety telecommunicator academy basic training curriculum. The council-approved curriculum for the academy basic training course will include but is not limited to:

    10.5(1) Core concepts.

    a.  Roles and responsibilities.

    b.  Legal concepts, including Iowa law.

    c.  Resource awareness.

    d.  Quality assurance.

    10.5(2) Core competencies.

    a.  Call processing.

    b.  Emergency communications technology.

    c.  Radio communication.

    d.  Interpersonal communications.

    e.  Emergency management.

    f.  Stress management and motivation.

This rule is intended to implement Iowa Code sections 80B.11(1)“j” and 80B.11C.

501—10.6(80B) Professional development requirements. The agency administrator will ensure compliance with professional development for all employed public safety telecommunicators. All employed telecommunicators will complete a minimum of 16 hours of telecommunicator-related professional development annually. The agency administrator will determine whether training is telecommunicator related.

This rule is intended to implement Iowa Code sections 80B.11(1)“j” and 80B.11C.

501—10.7(80B) Professional development records. The agency administrator will ensure that professional development records are regularly maintained and that the records are made available for inspection upon request of the council. Professional development records will include the following:

    1.   An overview of the training.

    2.   The name of the instructor who conducted the training.

    3.   The name of the individual who completed the training.

    4.   The length of the training.

    5.   The date and location where the training took place.

    6.   The scores, if any, achieved by the telecommunicator to show proficiency in or understanding of the subject matter.

This rule is intended to implement Iowa Code sections 80B.11(1)“j” and 80B.11C.

501—10.8(80B) Break in service. A public safety telecommunicator who has had a break in service as an Iowa public safety telecommunicator will complete the following training within one year of hire:

    10.8(1) If the break in service is from 12 months to three years, a minimum of 24 hours of professional development.

    10.8(2) If the break in service is more than three years, a minimum of 40 hours of professional development.

This rule is intended to implement Iowa Code sections 80B.11(1)“j” and 80B.11C.