The House Veterans Affairs Committee today approved a new national guard and reserve job security initiative. The plan will ensure that soldiers called to active duty can return to their jobs after service at the same pay and status level.

“Men and women called to active duty deserve our support. After serving our country and being separated from their families, the least we can do is ensure an easy transition back to civilian life, which includes going back to their job at the same pay and status level,” said State Representative McKinley Bailey, D-Webster City, the lead sponsor of the bill.

The bill, House File 2001, was the first bill introduced this session and was approved on a unanimous vote by the House Veterans Affairs Committee. The new job security initiative would update Iowa's law to protect the jobs of Iowa National Guard members and other armed forces reservist who are called to active duty. The law will maintain the current misdemeanor penalty for employers who fail to provide soldiers their jobs back.