Section 111.1.13. Department facility operations.

       1.13(1) Dangerous weapons. No member of the public shall carry a dangerous weapon in department facilities. This provision applies to any member of the public whether or not the individual possesses a valid Iowa permit to carry weapons. This provision does not apply to:

        a.           A peace officer as defined in Iowa Code section 801.4 or a member of the armed forces of the United States or of the national guard, when the person’s duties or lawful activities require or permit possession of a dangerous weapon.

        b.           A person possessing a valid Iowa professional permit to carry a weapon whose duties require that person to carry a dangerous weapon.

        c.           A person who possesses a dangerous weapon for any purpose authorized by a state agency to further the statutory or regulatory responsibilities of that agency. An authorization issued pursuant to this paragraph shall not become effective until it has been issued in writing to the person or persons to whom it applies and until copies of the authorization have been received by the director and by the commissioner of public safety.

        d.           Members of recognized military veterans organizations performing honor guard service as provided in Iowa Code section 35A.12.

Violation of this subrule is a simple misdemeanor, pursuant to Iowa Code section 8A.322, and may result in the denial of access to a state building, filing of criminal charges or expulsion from the grounds of the department’s facilities, or any combination thereof, of any individual who knowingly violates the subrule. In addition, any weapon found in the possession of a member of the public in violation of this subrule may be confiscated. Charges may be filed under any other criminal statute if appropriate. Officers employed by or under the supervision of the department of public safety shall have the authority to enforce this subrule. Peace officers employed by other agencies shall have the authority to enforce this subrule at the request of the commissioner of public safety or in response to a request for assistance from an officer employed by the department of public safety or at the request of the director or the director’s designee.

       1.13(2) Building access and security. The department shall take reasonable and appropriate measures to ensure the safety of persons and property in department facilities. These measures may include, but are not limited to, the following:

        a.           Requiring any member of the public entering department facilities to (1) provide identification upon request; (2) allow the member of the public to be scanned with metal detecting equipment; and (3) allow any parcel, package, luggage, purse, or briefcase that the person is bringing into department facilities to be examined with X-ray equipment or to have the contents thereof examined, or both.

        b.           Requiring any member of the public who is inside department facilities outside normal business hours, other than when facilities are open to the public during a scheduled event, to provide identification and to state the nature of the person’s business in the facility. A member of the public who is in department facilities outside normal business hours, other than during a scheduled event, and who does not have authorization to be on the premises may be required to exit the building and be escorted from the building.

        c.           Limiting public access to department facilities to selected entrances. Access to each building through at least one entrance accessible to persons with disabilities shall be maintained.

        d.           Limiting hours during which public access to department facilities is allowed.

        e.           Confiscating any container including, but not limited to, packages, bags, briefcases, or boxes that are left in public areas when department facilities are not open to the public. Any confiscated container may be searched or destroyed, or both, or may be returned to the owner. Any container that is left unattended in a public area during hours in which department facilities are open to the public may be examined.

Violation of this subrule is a simple misdemeanor, pursuant to Iowa Code section 8A.322, and may result in the denial of access to a state building, filing of criminal charges or expulsion from department facilities, or any combination thereof, of the individual who knowingly violates the subrule. Charges may be filed under any other criminal statute if appropriate. Officers employed by or under the supervision of the department of public safety shall have the authority to enforce this subrule. Peace officers employed by other agencies shall also have the authority to enforce this subrule.

       1.13(3) Access barriers. The director may cause the temporary or permanent placement of barricades, ropes, signs, or other barriers to limit access to certain parts of department facilities. Unauthorized persons beyond the barriers may be removed with the assistance of law enforcement officers or charged with a criminal offense if appropriate, or both.

[ARC 0461C, IAB 11/28/12, effective 1/2/13]