SF 479 authorizes Iowa's Secretary of State to refuse to file business documents or remove information from them if they are materially false, fraudulent, or intended for unlawful purposes (Section 6). It directly affects business entities, such as partnerships and LLCs, that file documents with the Secretary of State. Key provisions include creating a process for removing "unauthorized use information" (like personal details used without consent) from business records through notarized affidavits (Sections 8-10) and clarifying that the Secretary's filing decisions do not affect a document's legal validity (Section 7). The bill focuses on administrative procedures for document handling, not new business regulations.
This bill requires Iowa's children's health insurance program (CHIP) to cover applied behavior analysis (ABA) services for eligible children. It directs the Department of Health and Human Services to seek federal approval for this coverage expansion by submitting a state plan amendment to Medicare and Medicaid services. The change would directly affect children enrolled in CHIP who require ABA therapy, commonly used for developmental conditions like autism. The bill mandates that the medical assistance advisory council adopt rules to include ABA as a covered benefit in qualifying health plans under federal guidelines. It does not create new funding but modifies existing CHIP coverage to add this service.
This bill changes how local emergency management agencies in Iowa fund their operations. It requires their budgets to be fully covered by specific local funding sources (like property taxes) and mandates that the local commission (defined as a municipality) certifies these budgets annually by February 28. The bill prohibits any other entity from amending these certified budgets after approval. These rules apply to property tax budgets for fiscal years starting July 1, 2026, directly affecting local emergency management agencies and their governing commissions.
This bill requires third-party litigation financiers to register with Iowa's Secretary of State, disclosing ownership details and operational information. It defines "litigation financing" as third-party funding for civil lawsuits or claims (excluding standard lawyer contingency fees) and mandates registration for all such entities operating in Iowa. The law aims to increase transparency by making registration data publicly accessible and requires financiers to update filings when information changes. It directly affects litigation financiers, consumers using such financing, and legal representatives handling cases involving third-party funding.
SF 363 requires eligible Iowa health and wellness plan members (a Medicaid program) to participate in 20+ hours weekly of community engagement activities like work, volunteering, or job training, unless they qualify for an exemption. Exemptions include individuals under 19, over 64, pregnant, caring for young children, medically unfit, or receiving unemployment benefits. The bill mandates the state health department to seek a federal waiver to implement this requirement and set an implementation deadline of July 1, 2025. It directly affects Medicaid members who do not meet specific exemption criteria.
SF 527 is a bill that sets staffing requirements for nursing facilities in Iowa. It mandates a minimum of 0.55 hours per resident per day for registered nurses and 2.45 hours per resident per day for nurse aides, requires a registered nurse to be on-site 24/7, and specifies that facilities must verify nurse aides' qualifications through competency evaluations and state registries. The bill also establishes a process for facilities to request waivers if they cannot meet staffing levels due to recruitment challenges, while ensuring resident safety through annual department reviews and resident notification. These requirements directly affect all nursing facilities operating in Iowa.
This bill allows Iowa native distilleries without a retail alcohol license (Class C) to offer supervised distilling classes to individuals. Participants must be 21+, can produce up to 750ml per class, and the alcohol cannot be consumed on-site (except for permitted tastings). Distilleries must pay the state 50% of the wholesale price for the alcohol produced in these classes and limit annual production to 300 gallons total. The changes apply specifically to native distilleries operating under Class A licenses.
HF 910 provides Iowa disabled veterans with a 100% service-connected disability rating (certified by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs) with two key benefits: (1) exemption from vehicle title fees and annual registration fees for up to three vehicles, including free standard license plates; and (2) a property tax credit equal to the full property tax owed on their primary residence. The bill also allows the state to waive administrative vehicle fees for qualifying veterans and creates a confidential tax credit program requiring county auditors to certify claims annually. Funds for the tax credit are allocated from the state general fund and distributed to taxing districts based on their share of property taxes. These provisions directly affect eligible Iowa veterans, aiming to reduce their costs for vehicle ownership and housing.
HF 461 modifies Iowa's school absenteeism notice requirements by changing the mailing method for school officials. When a child becomes chronically absent, schools must now send notices via ordinary mail (regular postal service) instead of certified mail to parents, guardians, or the child if emancipated. The bill affects school officials who must send these notices and directly impacts families of students with chronic absenteeism. It does not alter the content of the notices or the definition of chronic absenteeism, only the delivery method. This change aims to reduce administrative burden while maintaining required communication.
SF 431 modifies Iowa's rules for handling retention funds in public construction projects. It requires public entities to release retention funds (held back from contractor payments) under two conditions: (1) if a contractor provides a bond double the claim amount within 20 days, or (2) if a claimant fails to sue within 30 days of a contractor's written demand. The bill also allows contractors to substitute retention funds with a 5% bond, triggering immediate release of held funds. Interest accrues on delayed payments at rates tied to state interest rules, and courts may award attorney fees for successful claims. This directly affects contractors, public entities, and claimants in public construction contracts.
SF 502 requires Iowa employers with 15 or more employees to include a specific pay scale (salary or hourly range) directly in all job postings, ads, or recruitment communications - without allowing references to external sources. It applies to both direct employers and third parties (like job boards) handling recruitment. Violations carry civil penalties of $100 to $10,000 per offense, enforced by Iowa’s Department of Inspections, Appeals, and Licensing. The law aims to increase pay transparency for job seekers in Iowa.
SF 531 requires Iowa nursing facilities to exclude certain non-patient-care expenses from their financial reports to the state. Specifically, facilities cannot include association dues, lobbying fees, unused retainers, employee-related fees, or most legal costs in their reports. However, facilities may include professional fees directly tied to patient care and limited legal expenses (with strict hourly rate caps based on violation severity) if they prevailed in related disputes. The bill updates reporting rules to focus on costs directly related to resident care, not administrative or advocacy activities. This change affects all nursing facilities submitting financial reports to Iowa's Department of Health and Human Services.
