Iowa Code Title X. Financial Resources [Chs. 421-454] § 453A.4. Seizure of false or altered driver's license or nonoperator's identification card

1. If a person holding a permit under this chapter or an employee of such a permittee has a reasonable belief based on factual evidence that a driver's license as defined in section 321.1, subsection 20A, or nonoperator's identification card issued pursuant to section 321.190 offered by a person who wishes to purchase tobacco, tobacco products, alternative nicotine products, vapor products, or cigarettes is altered or falsified or belongs to another person, the permittee or employee may retain the driver's license or nonoperator's identification card.  Within twenty-four hours, the card shall be delivered to the appropriate city or county law enforcement agency of the jurisdiction in which the permittee's premises are located, and the permittee shall file a written report of the circumstances under which the card was retained.  The local law enforcement agency may investigate whether a violation of section 321.216, 321.216A, or 321.216C has occurred.  If an investigation is not initiated or probable cause is not established by the local law enforcement agency, the driver's license or nonoperator's identification card shall be delivered to the person to whom it was issued.  The local law enforcement agency may forward the card with the report to the state department of transportation for investigation, in which case, the state department of transportation may investigate whether a violation of section 321.216, 321.216A, or 321.216C has occurred.  The state department of transportation shall return the card to the person to whom it was issued if an investigation is not initiated or probable cause is not established.

2. Upon taking possession of an identification card as provided in subsection 1, a receipt for the card with the date and hour of seizure noted shall be provided to the person from whom the card is seized.

3. A person holding a permit under this chapter or an employee of such a permittee is not subject to criminal prosecution for, or to civil liability for damages alleged to have resulted from, the retention and delivery of a driver's license or a nonoperator's identification card which is taken pursuant to subsections 1 and 2.  This section shall not be construed to relieve a permittee or an employee of such a permittee from civil liability for damages resulting from the use of unreasonable force in obtaining the alleged altered or falsified driver's license or identification card or the driver's license or identification card believed to belong to another person.