House Study Bill 580 would prohibit an employer from requiring an employee to have a microchip or other device implanted or inserted into an employee’s body. It’s a bill sponsored by Rep. Steven Holt and, while at first blush it may elicit a chuckle, he said it is rooted in reality.
“One of my constituents brought it to my attention,” he said. “I read some articles where a business was attempting to mandate the use of a microchip in their employees in 2017. My reaction to that immediately was that I don’t believe anybody should be compelled to have a microchip inside of them. So, I had the bill drafted.”
Holt said if someone wants to voluntarily have a microchip inserted, the bill won’t stop that.
“But the bill will not allow any kind of mandates for somebody to have a microchip put inside them,” Holt said. “Nor does it allow incentives because I don’t think incentives are a good idea either.”
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It was a Wisconsin business that microchipped its employees in 2017. The company, Three Square Market, said it was for convenience.
“A lot of people might laugh and say this sounds like something that isn’t needed but look, it’s already happened,” Holt said. “It’s not been attempted in Iowa, but there seems to be a growing concern that this is something real.”
Holt said he saw a USA Today article in 2017 that espoused the theory everyone would be microchipped eventually.
“When I read it all, in total, I think it’s sort of a preventative measure,” Holt said. “Maybe the determination will be that we ultimately don’t need it, but I at least wanted to have the discussion and bring it to peoples’ attention.”
Ultimately, it’s a liberty issue.
“I’m for freedom and liberty,” Holt said. “I don’t want anybody to be mandated to have a chip inside of them. I wanted to try to get out ahead of it.
“I think you can see the very real possibilities of people being tracked, where they’re located. This company wanted to be able to get rid of badges and security badges to get into the business. So, they’re trying to mandate microchips. I guess they thought it would save them money because people lose their badges or what have you. Whether a company chooses to admit it or not, maybe it will get you in the front door, but let’s face it, those chips could also be used to track an employee and their whereabouts. I could see somebody in government thinking what a great idea it would be to put microchips in truck drivers or train engineers or whatever the case might be. I just don’t think that’s a road we want to go down.”
