DES MOINES, Iowa - A bill to crack down on violent protests and support police action is closer to becoming law in Iowa.
The bill in response to last summer's racial justice protests makes rioting a felony and increases penalties for blocking roads or destroying public property.
It also adds legal protection for police officers, and for drivers who hit protesters in some situations.
The bill passed the House with heavy Republican support Wednesday night and now heads to the Senate.
It offers enhanced "qualified Immunity" for police by requiring anyone suing an officer to prove the officer violated their rights and clearly broke the law.
Police officers, prosecutors and judges could also join a program to make their addresses confidential.
In addition. officers could not be fired simply for being included on a list (known as a Brady list) that tracks misconduct.
The bill would make blocking a street or sidewalk a serious misdemeanor, and boost rioting to a Class D felony from a misdemeanor.
Unlawful assembly would become an aggravated misdemeanor and defacing or destroying public property would become criminal mischief in the second degree.
The bill does not include priorities of Governor Kim Reynolds “Back the Blue Act” proposal, which would ban police from racial profiling and require them to collect of race data from traffic stops.
It drew several provisions into a single bill which will require Senate approval before moving to Governor Kim Reynolds desk.
It passed the House 63-30, with eight Democrats joining Republicans in favor, while two Republicans joined most Democrats in opposition.