A small group of local decision makers gathered Tuesday morning in Adel to discuss an amendment to Iowa’s Constitution regarding what’s known as “Marsy’s Law.”

Individuals including Dallas County Sheriff Chad Leonard, State Representative for District 19 Chris Hagenow, and State Senator for District 10 Jake Chapman gathered with Marsy’s Law advocates at Brick Street Books and Cafe in Adel. Leonard admitted he didn’t know much about the proposed legislation, so he was eager to learn more about it. The crux of the law is victims’ rights, like making sure accusers are protected from the accused when the latter is granted parole. Chapman emphasized that Marsy’s Law doesn’t take any rights away from the accused, but rather gives additional rights to victims.

Similar legislation has been passed in other states, though a bill to adopt it into Iowa’s Constitution failed to make it out of the Senate Judiciary Committee during the last session. Hagenow said the bill has had largely bipartisan support, but indicated the hold-up was likely caused by representatives hesitant to amend the Constitution before knowing more about it. He added, no one at the the Legislature seemed adamantly opposed to the legislation, but it could still see some opposition in the chamber from criminal rights advocates and defense attornies. For his part, Leonard didn’t think Marsy’s Law would affect his duties very much, as he pointed out many of the practices laid out in the bill are already being used by most law enforcement agencies. Both Hagenow and Chapman have publicly voiced their support in the past.

The meeting in Adel was the first of many for the Marsy’s Law advocates, who plan to traverse the state and talk with more local lawmakers.