Representative Nathan Reichert

House takes steps to end gender discrimination:

Wednesday in the House we passed two long overdue bills that will help improve the lives of woman in the State of Iowa and end gender discrimination. HF 234 encourages more women to serve on local boards and be more involved in their communities. It requires gender balance for all local government boards and commissions, something that has been done on the state level for over twenty years. Women account for over 50% of Iowa's population, yet the Iowa Commission on the Status of Women reports that they are rarely asked to serve on boards and commissions at the local level.

SF 137 requires women to be paid equally as the male counterparts for doing the same work. In Iowa women make 78 cents for ever dollar that men make, it is well past the time for women to receive equal pay for equal work. Iowa is 37th in the nation for wage disparity and it is my hope that this will be a step forward in the right direction.

Making Iowa Safer:

On Tuesday, I floor managed a bill that makes it tougher for the most violent sex offenders to be released from civil commitment at the Cherokee center. HF 676 makes it harder for sexually violent predators that are committed to Cherokee, after they serve their prison sentence, to be released to the general public. Previously, a sexual predator would have to go through a final hearing process in order to be released. HF676 makes it harder for them to get that hearing. They would have to provide strong, definitive proof that they have met the criteria to deserve this final hearing. This bill applies to the worst of the worst sex offenders and protects Iowa's families.

Protecting the family of those who serve:

This week I am pleased to say that a bill I sponsored to help the families of fallen police and firefighters has passed the House. As it currently stands, children of firefighters and police officers do not receive the death benefits of their parent if they are over the age of 18. HF 707 insures that after and individual passes away there is no spouse, the child over the age of 18 can receive the $100,000 compensation. I have been working on this legislation for the past few years after the death of a local fire fighter. He had children he was supporting through college and when he gave the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty his children were not awarded his benefits. Those who offer selfless service to the public deserve the peace of mind to know that their families will be take care of should something happen to them. The bill is now in the Senate State Government committee.