ARC 0536D

ARC 0536D

LAW ENFORCEMENT ACADEMY[501]

Notice of Intended Action

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

    The Iowa Law Enforcement Academy Council hereby proposes to rescind Chapter 9, “Jailer Training,” and to adopt a new Chapter 9, “Jailer 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 9 describes the minimum hiring and training standards and required professional development for jailers and temporary holding facility personnel. As 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. Paragraph 9.1(1)“f” was updated to clarify the psychological evaluation standard. Rule 501—9.2(80B) and subrule 9.5(2) were revised because courses in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), automated external defibrillator (AED), and first aid have historically been instructed at the local jail facilities to ensure adequate time is available during the 40-hour basic course for other instruction. Subrule 9.2(4) was added to note that required training must be completed within the required time frame to maintain eligibility for employment.

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 9 and adopt the following new chapter in lieu thereof:

CHAPTER 9

JAILER STANDARDS

501—9.1(80B) Minimum standards for jail and temporary holding facility personnel.

    9.1(1) Minimum hiring standards. Applicants must meet the following minimum standards before serving as a jail administrator, jailer, or temporary holding facility personnel:

    a.  Be 18 years of age or older.

    b.  Be able to read and write in English.

    c.  Be of good moral character as determined by a thorough background investigation, including a fingerprint search conducted of local, state and national fingerprint files.

    d.  Be not by reason of conscience or belief opposed to the use of force when appropriate or necessary to fulfill the person’s duties.

    e.  Have the ability to perform the essential elements of the position as defined in department job specifications.

    f.  Be an appropriate candidate for employment as determined by the hiring authority’s review of a qualified psychological screening.

    9.1(2) Minimum retention standards. An employee who has demonstrated inappropriate action beyond a reasonable degree, who is not psychologically fit for jail employment, or who has repeatedly failed to observe these rules will not be retained.

    9.1(3) Conflict of interest. A person working in a jail will not transact any business with a prisoner, nor arrange any business transaction with a prisoner through another party. The jail will have a written code of ethics that the jail provides to all employees. At a minimum, the code will:

    a.  Prohibit staff from using their official positions to secure privileges for themselves or others.

    b.  Prohibit staff from engaging in activities that constitute a conflict of interest.

This rule is intended to implement Iowa Code sections 80B.11A and 80B.13(3).

501—9.2(80B) Basic training for jailers. The following training will be successfully completed by all jail administrators within six months of appointment and all jailers within one year of employment or assignment.

    9.2(1) Basic training course. Jail administrators and jailers will successfully complete an approved basic training course.

    9.2(2) Basic life support. Jail administrators and jailers will successfully complete courses in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), automated external defibrillator (AED) use, and foreign body airway obstruction treatment for all age groups consistent with nationally recognized standards.

    9.2(3) First aid. Jail administrators and jailers will successfully complete a first aid course or have status as an emergency medical responder, licensed practical nurse, registered nurse, or medical practitioner or hold other similar certification in the state of Iowa.

    9.2(4) Failure to complete training. Should a jail administrator or jailer fail to complete all training within the time period or any extensions allowed, that person will not be eligible for employment as and will not serve as a jail administrator or jailer in the state of Iowa for a period of not less than 12 months. The period of ineligibility begins on the date the person last worked as a jail administrator or jailer.

This rule is intended to implement Iowa Code section 80B.11A and 80B.13.

501—9.3(80B) Qualifications for reciprocity. An individual employed within the 12-month period immediately preceding application, working full-time in a jail or a prison for one year, may apply for reciprocity. In determining whether to grant reciprocity, the council will consider whether the individual completed a comparable training course and any other relevant information received by the council.

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

501—9.4(80B) Minimum standards for jailer basic training course. A basic training course will consist of at least 40 hours, including a summative written assessment and a minimum of 8 hours of practical application, and will be provided by approved instructors.

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

501—9.5(80B) Jailer basic training curriculum. An academy-aligned training curriculum for a basic training course will be initially approved by the director and confirmed by the council. The curriculum will include but is not limited to:

    9.5(1) Core concepts.

    a.  Roles and responsibilities.

    b.  Legal concepts, including references to the Iowa Code, jail standards, and relevant case law.

    c.  Suicide prevention/mental illness.

    d.  Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA).

    9.5(2) Core skills.

    a.  Communication.

    b.  Report writing.

    9.5(3) Core competencies.

    a.  Safety procedures.

    b.  Supervision duties.

    c.  Specialized services.

    9.5(4) Curriculum changes. Changes to the council-approved curriculum or completion standards will be approved by the director.

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

501—9.6(80B) Jailer professional development requirements. The agency administrator will ensure compliance with professional development requirements for all jail personnel. All jail administrators and jailers will complete the following professional development:

    9.6(1) Annual professional development.

    a.  Annual courses include a minimum of eight hours in:

    (1)  Suicide prevention/mental illness.

    (2)  PREA.

    (3)  Emergency evacuation plan.

    (4)  Legal concepts, including references to the Iowa Code, jail standards, and relevant case law on:

    1.  Constitutional rights of inmates;

    2.  Iowa criminal law as applicable to a jail setting;

    3.  Affirmative duty to intervene/intercede; and

    4.  Use of force.

    (5)  Cultural awareness.

    (6)  Communication skills, including de-escalation.

    b.  Twelve hours of additional professional development to be selected by the jail administrator or sheriff, including methods of restraining violent inmates, intake procedures, and grievance and disciplinary procedures.

    9.6(2) Biennial professional development.

    a.  CPR.

    b.  AED use.

    c.  Foreign body airway obstruction management.

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

501—9.7(80B) Time to complete the basic training course for temporary holding facilities. All appointed temporary holding facility administrators and designees will successfully complete an approved basic training course, a basic life support course consistent with subrule 9.2(2), and a first aid course consistent with subrule 9.2(3) within one year of employment or assignment.

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

501—9.8(80B) Temporary holding facility minimum standards for basic training course. The basic training course will consist of at least ten hours, including a summative written assessment, and will be provided by approved instructors.

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

501—9.9(80B) Temporary holding facility basic training curriculum. An academy-aligned training curriculum for the ten-hour basic training course will be initially approved by the director and confirmed by the council. The curriculum will include but is not limited to:

    9.9(1) Core concepts.

    a.  Roles and responsibilities.

    b.  Legal concepts, including references to the Iowa Code, jail standards, and relevant case law.

    c.  Suicide prevention/mental illness.

    d.  PREA.

    9.9(2) Core competencies. Safety procedures.

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

501—9.10(80B) Temporary holding facility professional development requirements. Administrators and supervisors of holding facilities will complete five hours of professional development, not including hours to maintain certification or proficiency in first aid, CPR, AED use, airway obstruction management, use of chemical agents, or handling of firearms. Annual professional development must be completed in the following areas:

    1.   Suicide prevention/mental illness.

    2.   Emergency evacuation plan.

    3.   PREA.

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

501—9.11(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 achieved, if any, to show proficiency in or understanding of the subject matter.

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

501—9.12(80B) Break in service. A jail administrator or jailer who has had a break in service from employment as an Iowa jail administrator, jailer, or law enforcement officer will complete the following professional development within one year of hire:

    9.12(1) If the break in service is from 12 months to three years, a minimum of 30 hours of professional development.

    9.12(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)“k” and 80B.11A.