A new Iowa state law limiting employers’ liability for negligent hiring is set to take effect July 1.
House File (HF) 650 is seen as providing a second chance for individuals with past criminal offenses by limiting employers’ liability if something happens in the workplace involving an employee with a previous conviction.
The new law says a negligent hiring claim may not be filed “solely on evidence” the employee, agent, or independent contractor at issue had been “convicted of a public offense,” but the law allows for use of a past conviction as part of a negligent hiring claim.
