LEGISLATIVE ACTION ALERT

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HF2531

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BILLS TO REDEFINE EMERGENCY TELECOMMUNICATORS FROM CLERICAL TO FIRST RESPONDER

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CONTACT YOUR HOUSE REPRESENTATIVES NOW

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APCO and NENA have been working to promote a bill in the Iowa House and Senate that would make permanent changes in the law to designate all emergency operators as Public Safety Telecommunicators and to add first responder to the definition of the job.

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Last week the Senate took up SF 2373, their version of the Telecommunicators legislation. The bill unanimously passed the Senate.  It has one more hurdle to pass before heading to the Governor for her signature and becoming law.

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The House bill, HF 2531, unanimously passed the Public Safety Committee at the end of February clearing the first funnel deadline.  The bill is eligible for debate on the House Calendar and its companion, meaning identical Senate file, SF2473, is now attached to the House file on the House Calendar.  This is a clear signal that it is ready to be passed and head to the Governor. 

 

Now we need the House leadership to place the bill on the Calendar before they adjourn for the session. If this bill doesn’t move, we will have to come back next session and restart the process. 

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 As you know, this bill is ONLY updating Iowa Code providing recognition for the work telecommunicators do each and every day to support the entire public safety team. It does not touch Chapter 20 or address collective bargaining issues, nor does it change IPERS status for telecommunicators. That is not the intent. This request, to update the definition of telecommunicators, is being done to address workforce issues and give these professionals the recognition they deserve for the service they provide to Iowans every day. 

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Time is of the essence.  We expect the Legislature to adjourn within the next two weeks.  Action is needed now to ensure that this issue is addressed this session.  

 

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