Five New Iowa Laws That Were Passed in 2017

Every year new Iowa laws are enacted that may go unnoticed...until you are pulled over and ticketed for something you had no idea was now illegal. Other new laws may impact your work or home life.

Here are five Iowa laws that went into effect in 2017 that you may not have known about:

WORKERS' COMPENSATION:  A new law will reduce workers' compensation for injured workers by cutting compensation benefits, and changing qualifications for benefits. It also reduces a key interest rate calculation, according to the Des Moines Register.

MOVE OVER LAW: You know that you are required to move over for cops on the interstate highway. Now you also need to do the same for other vehicles like electric, natural gas utilities, water, telephone and cable business trucks, as well as garbage and recycling trucks that have safety lights flashing. And remember, if you can't change lanes, you are required to slow down.

MEDICAL MALPRACTICE LITIGATION: This new law will limit medical malpractice lawsuits and will cap limits on non-economic damages, such as pain and suffering, at $250,000. However, that $250,000 damages cap will not apply in cases involving permanent impairment, disfigurement or death.

DRINKS AT CRAFT DISTILLERIES: Iowa's craft liquor distillers will now be allowed to mix cocktails at their manufacturing facilities. This issue had been under discussion in the Legislature for years. The purpose is to give distillers a "level playing field with Iowa's craft breweries and wineries".

DRUNKEN TEACHERS: Teachers who are disciplined for being intoxicated at school must be reported to Iowa's licensing agency. This new law will resolve a loophole exposed in 2015 by a high-profile case when an Ankeny teacher was caught with a beer during a school Valentine's Day party.

[source: Des Moines Register]