Iowa Code
Chapter 80A - PRIVATE INVESTIGATIVE AGENCIES AND SECURITY AGENTS
Section 80A.1 - Definitions.

80A.1 Definitions.
As used in this chapter unless the context otherwise requires:
1. “Bail enforcement agent” means a person engaged in the bail enforcement business, including licensees and persons engaged in the bail enforcement business whose principal place of business is in a state other than Iowa.
2. “Bail enforcement business” means the business of taking or attempting to take into custody the principal on a bail bond issued or a deposit filed in relation to a criminal proceeding to assure the presence of the defendant at trial, but does not include such actions that are undertaken by a peace officer or a law enforcement officer in the course of the officer’s official duties.
3. “Chief law enforcement officer” means the county sheriff, chief of police, or other chief law enforcement officer in the local governmental unit where a defendant is located.
4. “Commissioner” means the commissioner of public safety.
5. “Defendant” means the principal on a bail bond issued or deposit filed in relation to a criminal proceeding in order to assure the presence of the defendant at trial.
6. “Department” means the department of public safety.
7. “Licensee” means a person licensed under this chapter.
8. “Person” means an individual, partnership, corporation, or other business entity.
9. “Private investigation business” means the business of making, for hire or reward, an investigation for the purpose of obtaining information on any of the following matters:
a. Crime or wrongs done or threatened.
b. The habits, conduct, movements, whereabouts, associations, transactions, reputations, or character of a person.
c. The credibility of witnesses or other persons.
d. The location or recovery of lost or stolen property.
e. The cause, origin, or responsibility for fires, accidents, or injuries to property.
f. The truth or falsity of a statement or representation.
g. Detection of deception.
h. The business of securing evidence to be used before authorized investigating committees, boards of award or arbitration, or in the trial of civil or criminal cases.
10. “Private investigative agency” means a person engaged in a private investigation business.
11. “Private security agency” means a person engaged in a private security business.
12. “Private security business” means a business of furnishing, for hire or reward, guards, watch personnel, armored car personnel, patrol personnel, or other persons to protect persons or property, to prevent the unlawful taking of goods and merchandise, or to prevent the misappropriation or concealment of goods, merchandise, money, securities, or other valuable documents or papers, and includes an individual who for hire patrols, watches, or guards a residential, industrial, or business property or district. “Private security business” does not include a business for debt collection as defined in section 537.7102.
13. “Uniform” means a manner of dress of a particular style and distinctive appearance as distinguished from ordinary clothing customarily used and worn by the general public.
84 Acts, ch 1235, §1; 98 Acts, ch 1149, §1; 2020 Acts, ch 1103, §34, 51