A bill that recently passed in the Iowa Senate focuses on possible changes to how law enforcement handles future protests. 

Iowa State Senator for District 10 Jake Chapman terms the “Back the Blue” legislation with various provisions including stiffer penalties for people who seek to counter law enforcement at things like protests. Also, Chapman says that four years ago he introduced legislation against blocking roadways which is included in the current proposed bill. 

“One of the things that I had felt very strongly about four years ago was to enhance penalties for those who block roadways. You don’t have a right to block interstate commerce, you don’t have a right to block someone else’s constitutional right of free movement and so we also have enhanced penalties in there.”

Chapman says the bill gives support to law enforcement and creates criminal penalties when people are acting in bad faith towards law enforcement.