Iowa Code Title II. Elections and Official Duties [Chs. 39-79] § 70A.29. Reprisals prohibited--political subdivisions--penalty--civil remedies

1. A person shall not discharge an employee from or take or fail to take action regarding an employee's appointment or proposed appointment to, promotion or proposed promotion to, or any advantage in, a position in employment by a political subdivision of this state as a reprisal for a disclosure of any information by that employee to a member or employee of the general assembly, an official of that political subdivision, a person providing human resource management for that political subdivision, or a state official, or for a disclosure of information to any other public official or law enforcement agency if the employee, in good faith, reasonably believes the information evidences a violation of law or rule, mismanagement, a gross abuse of funds, an abuse of authority, or a substantial and specific danger to public health or safety. This section does not apply if the disclosure of the information is prohibited by statute.

2. A person who violates subsection 1 commits a simple misdemeanor.

3. Subsection 1 may be enforced through a civil action.

4. Each political subdivision of this state subject to the requirements of this section shall provide procedures for notifying new employees of the authority of the office of ombudsman to investigate complaints under chapter 2C and shall provide information to all employees of the political subdivision, including the toll-free telephone number of the ombudsman.