Iowa Senate bans cameras in government bathrooms

DES MOINES – After a complaint by the Iowa ACLU, a bill was passed in the Iowa Senate banning cameras in state-owned bathrooms.

Senate Study Bill 1184 prohibits the state or a political subdivision of the state, including a public library, public school, or other government office open to the public, from using a monitoring device in a toilet, bath, or shower facility, locker room, or other space where a person has a reasonable expectation of privacy. The bill defines “monitoring device” as a digital video and audio streaming or recording device that is part of a system of monitoring activity in an area or building using a system in which signals are transmitted from a video camera to the receivers by cables or wirelessly, forming a closed circuit. The bill requires the state or a political subdivision of the state using a monitoring device to cease doing so and to remove the monitoring device by July 1, 2017.

The bill nullifies any local ordinance, rule, or other measure that permits the use of a monitoring device in a toilet, bath, or shower facility, locker room, or other space where a person has a reasonable expectation of privacy.

Lawmakers agreed with a complaint by the ACLU about cameras in an Iowa City library bathroom that were placed to catch alleged criminals. The House must pass accompanying legislation before it goes to the Governor to be signed.