LAWS OF THE 1998 REGULAR SESSION
OF THE SEVENTY-SEVENTH
GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF IOWA
CHAPTER 1147
CIVIL LITIGATION BY INMATES AND PRISONERS
AN ACT relating to the filing of civil litigation by prisoners and providing an effective date.
Be It Enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Iowa:
Section 1. Section 610.1, Code 1997, is amended by adding the following new unnumbered paragraph:
NEW UNNUMBERED PARAGRAPH.Notwithstanding the provisions of this section, the court shall deny the application and affidavit of an inmate who has had three or more actions dismissed pursuant to section 610A.2. Such inmate shall not be permitted to proceed without prepayment of fees, cost, or security pursuant to this chapter.
Sec. 2. Section 610A.1, subsection 1, Code 1997, is amended by adding the following new paragraphs:
NEW PARAGRAPH.e.If the inmate has unsuccessfully prosecuted three or more frivolous actions in the preceding fiveyear period, the court may stay the proceeding in accordance with section 617.16.
NEW PARAGRAPH.f.If the inmate has had three or more actions dismissed pursuant to section 610A.2, the inmate shall not be permitted to file an action pursuant to chapter 610.
Sec. 3. Section 610A.1, Code 1997, is amended by adding the following new subsection:
NEW SUBSECTION.3.In any civil case filed by a petitioner who is an inmate or prisoner, the respondent may review the petition and, if applicable, file a preanswer motion asserting, in addition to any other defense that must be asserted in such a motion under the rules of civil procedure, that the action or any portion of the action should be dismissed pursuant to this chapter because the action or any portion of the action is frivolous or malicious, fails to state a claim upon which relief can be granted, or is otherwise subject to dismissal under section 610A.2.
Sec. 4. Section 610A.2, subsections 1 and 2, Code 1997, are amended to read as follows:
1.In addition to the penalty provided in section 610.5, if applicable, or any other
applicable penalty under the Code, the court in which an affidavit of
inability to pay has been filed may dismiss the an action
or appeal that is subject to this chapter, in whole or in part, on a finding
of either any of the following:
a.The allegation of inability to pay asserted in an accompanying affidavit is false.
b.The action, claim, defense, or appeal is frivolous or malicious in whole or in part.
c.The inmate or prisoner has knowingly presented false testimony or evidence, or has attempted to create or present false testimony or evidence in support of the action, claim, defense, or appeal.
d.The actions of the inmate or prisoner in pursuing the action, claim, defense, or appeal constitute an abuse of the discovery process.
2.In determining whether an action or appeal is frivolous or malicious, the court may
consider whether the claim the following:
a.Whether the action, claim, defense, or appeal is without substantial justification, or otherwise has no arguable basis in law or fact, including that the action, claim, defense, or appeal fails to state a claim upon which relief could be granted, or the action, claim, defense, or appeal cannot be supported by a reasonable argument for a change in existing law.
b.Whether the action, claim, defense, or appeal is substantially
similar to a previous action, claim, defense, or appeal, that was determined to
be frivolous or malicious, either in that it is brought against the same party or in
that the claim arises from the same operative facts as a previous claim which was
determined to be frivolous or malicious .
c.Whether the action, claim, defense, or appeal is intended solely or primarily for harassment.
d.The fact that evidentiary support for the action, claim, defense, or appeal is unavailable, or is not likely to be discovered after investigation.
e.Whether the action, claim, defense, or appeal is asserted with an improper purpose, including but not limited to, causing an unnecessary expansion or delay in proceedings, increasing the cost of proceedings, or harassing an opponent.
f.Whether the defendant is immune from providing the relief sought.
Sec. 5. Section 610A.3, Code 1997, is amended to read as follows:
610A.3 LOSS OF GOOD CONDUCT TIME PENALTIES.
1.If an action or appeal brought by an inmate or prisoner in state or
federal court is determined to be malicious or filed solely to harass or
if the inmate or prisoner testifies falsely or otherwise presents false evidence or
information to the court in such an action dismissed pursuant to section
610A.2, or, if brought in federal court, is dismissed under any of the principles
enumerated in section 610A.2, the inmate shall lose be subject to
the following penalties:
a.The loss of some or all of the good conduct time credits acquired by the inmate or prisoner. Previous dismissals under section 610A.2 may be considered in determining the appropriate level of penalty.
b.If the inmate or prisoner has no good conduct time credits to deduct, the order of the court or the disciplinary hearing may deduct up to fifty percent of the average balance of the inmate account under section 904.702 or of any prisoner account.
2.The court may make an order deducting the credits or the credits may be deducted pursuant to a disciplinary hearing pursuant to chapter 903A at the facility at which the inmate is held.
Sec. 6. EFFECTIVE DATE.This Act, being deemed of immediate importance, takes effect upon enactment.
Sec. 7. SEVERABILITY.If this Act, or any portion of this Act, is held to be unconstitutional, the remainder of this Act shall remain in effect to the fullest extent possible.
Approved April 23, 1998
© 1995 Cornell College and League of Women Voters of Iowa
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