Four units are attached to the department, for administrative support purposes. Each unit, like DIAL's major divisions, has Iowa Code-mandated duties and responsibilities.
Employment Appeal Board
The three-member Employment Appeal Board (EAB) is appointed by the governor and serves as the final administrative law forum for State and federal unemployment benefit appeals. The board also hears appeals of rulings of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and rulings of the Iowa Public Employees Retirement System (IPERS). The three members of the board are appointed to represent employers, employees, and the general public. In addition to unemployment cases, the board hears appeals involving peace officer issues and contractor registration requirements.
Iowa Civil Rights Commission
The commission was aligned under DIAL effective July 1, 2023. The ICRC works to end discrimination through effective enforcement of the Iowa Civil Rights Act, which states that employment, housing, public accommodations, education, and credit considerations can not be based on a person's color, creed, gender identity, marital status, mental disability, national origin, physical disability, race, religion, retaliation, sex, or sexual orientation.
Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission
The Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission (IRGC) regulates pari-mutuel dog and horse racing, commercial gambling facilities, sports wagering, and fantasy sports contests in Iowa. The IRGC was created by the Pari-Mutuel Wagering Act in May of 1983. The act provides for a commission consisting of five members who shall be appointed by the governor, subject to confirmation by the Iowa Senate, and who shall serve not to exceed a three-year term at the pleasure of the governor.
State Public Defender’s Office
The mission of the State Public Defender (SPD) is to provide high-quality legal representation to impoverished clients who are accused of committing crimes or involved in juvenile court matters. The office is led by the State public defender, who is appointed by the governor. More than two hundred employees in nineteen offices provide representation for indigent persons primarily in criminal and juvenile cases at the trial and appellate levels in all of Iowa's 99 counties. The SPD also contracts with more than 1,000 private attorneys and several nonprofit organizations throughout Iowa to provide court-appointed representation in cases that public defender offices are unable to handle.