Iowa legislature approves farm tour protections
Iowa legislature approves additional liability protections for farm tours
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) -- Iowa lawmakers have approved a bill that provides farmers with additional liability protection for educational tours.
The state House and Senate passed the legislation Thursday night. A February ruling from the Iowa Supreme Court said that educational tours for the public are not shielded from personal injury lawsuits under a law meant to promote recreation on private lands.
This legislation revises state law so that educational activities would be included under recreational use protections. Supporters say this will give farmers confidence to continue offering tours. It will next move to the governor's office.
The court ruled that owners of a dairy farm in northeast Iowa could be sued by a woman who was injured when she fell through a hole in a hayloft while chaperoning a field trip.
