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HF 46

A bill for an act relating to law enforcement training concerning motorcyclist profiling.

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Josh Meggers

HF 46 requires law enforcement training to end motorcyclist profiling: academy and in-service instruction, plus agency policy condemning profiling against riders.

Subcommittee recommends passage.
#lawenforcement #motorcycles #profiling
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Bill Summary · HF 46

HF 46 — Law enforcement training concerning motorcyclist profiling

Overview

HF 46 is a bill introduced on January 14, 2025, that seeks to prevent motorcyclist profiling by integrating dedicated training and policy requirements into Iowa law enforcement practices. The bill is currently at the subcommittee stage, with a subcommittee recommending passage on January 23, 2025. Primary sponsor: Rep. Meggers.

Purpose and Intent

  • Establish training and policy standards intended to eliminate motorcyclist profiling by law enforcement.
  • Ensure officers receive specialized education on why using motorcycle ownership or motorcycle-related appearance as a factor in policing decisions is inappropriate and unlawful.

Key Provisions

  • Training at the Iowa Law Enforcement Academy

    • The director of the Iowa Law Enforcement Academy must include training devoted to the elimination of motorcyclist profiling as part of the minimum basic training requirements for law enforcement officers.

  • Local Agency Policy Requirement

    • Local law enforcement agencies must incorporate a statement condemning and prohibiting motorcyclist profiling within their current profiling policies.

  • Definition of Motorcyclist Profiling

    • Motorcyclist profiling is defined as the illegal use of the fact that a person rides a motorcycle or wears motorcycle-related paraphernalia as a factor in:
    • Deciding to stop and question,
    • Taking enforcement action,
    • Arresting, or
    • Searching a person or vehicle, with or without a legal basis under the U.S. Constitution or the Iowa Constitution.

  • In-Service Training for All Officers

    • All law enforcement officers are required to complete in-service training on motorcyclist profiling.

Implementation and Timeline Considerations

  • The bill includes training requirements at both the academy and in-service levels, but the provided text does not specify an explicit effective date or phased timeline. Implementation would generally follow the bill’s passage and adoption of training standards by the academy and local agencies.

Affected Parties

  • Iowa Law Enforcement Academy (training director)
  • Local law enforcement agencies across Iowa
  • All current and future law enforcement officers in the state
  • Motorcyclists and individuals wearing motorcycle-related paraphernalia (as affected by profiling practices)

Legislative History

  • Introduced: January 14, 2025
  • Subcommittee: Meggers, Amos Jr., and Wengryn
  • Subcommittee meeting: January 23, 2025 (01:00 PM, Room 304.1)
  • Subcommittee action: Recommends passage
  • Status: Subcommittee recommends passage

Sponsorship

  • Primary Sponsor: Meggers

Potential Impact and Considerations

  • Promotes uniform anti-profiling standards and greater accountability in policing actions toward motorcyclists.
  • Aims to reduce unlawful stops, searches, and enforcement actions based on motorcycle-related appearance.
  • May require allocation of training resources and time within academy curricula and ongoing officer training.
  • Could influence local agency policy revisions to explicitly prohibit motorcyclist profiling and designate it as unacceptable policing practice.

If you’d like, I can tailor this summary further for a briefing memo or a policy impact analysis.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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