Senate File 2118 was signed into law by Gov Terry Branstad in a private bill signing last Friday, April 25, at the capitol. At the signing were Rep Chip Baltimore (R) of Boone, and Adrienne and Richard Smith of Jefferson. The legislation is due largely to years of effort by Adrienne Smith.
The new legislation allows the court to grant to the petitioner for a protective order the exclusive care or possession of any pets whose welfare may be affected by the situation leading to the protective order. The intent is to make it easier for victims of domestic violence to move toward a safer life by decreasing the chance that an abuser would threaten or harm a family pet in order to maintain the status quo.
The Iowa House passed the bill on April 15 by a vote of 87-10. The Senate passed the bill unanimously in March.
It was Adrienne Smith who originated the legislation in conversation with Senator Daryl Beall (D) four years ago. Beall first sponsored the legislation in 2012 while he represented Greene County. The bill had limited success then, but Beall introduced it again in 2013. Smith continued writing letters and making personal contacts.
In this legislative session, Beall found support for the bill from Sen Rob Hogg (R-Cedar Rapids), who is chair of the Senate judiciary committee. Sen Janet Petersen (D-Des Moines) managed the bill on the Senate floor.
After the Senate approval, Baltimore took up the cause in the House. It passed out of the House judiciary committee in March with only one dissenting vote. With the support of Baltimore and with Rep Bobby Kaufman (R-Wilton) as floor manager, the bill was approved April 15.
“I approached it like I do every issue,” Baltimore said Friday just before the bill signing. “I ask if it’s good public policy, and if it is, what are we going to do about it.”
Last Friday was surreal for Smith, and she shed tears more than once at the capitol. “It’s very emotional,” she said. “You’ve worked this hard, this long for something, and now to see the efforts pay off.”
She praised Senators Beall, Hogg and Petersen, and Representatives Baltimore and Kaufman. “They made people understand and see the need for this legislation. They worked hard, and I can’t thank them enough,” she said.
