SF 256 clarifies the process for permanently establishing land boundaries and corners that have been recognized and accepted by adjacent landowners for at least ten years, known as "boundaries by acquiescence." The bill specifies that these recognized boundaries are permanently established through a self-executing process. A key provision states that if properties with an established acquiesced boundary later come under common ownership, that boundary does not automatically terminate. However, adjoining parties can subsequently establish new permanent boundaries by recognizing and acquiescing to them for another ten-year period. This legislation directly affects landowners by providing clearer guidelines for resolving and maintaining property lines based on long-term agreement.
This bill (SF 594) requires Iowa's state fire marshal to study whether consolidating fire protection services into a countywide system would improve coverage and emergency response times. The study must analyze costs, current response times, staffing needs, equipment, communication systems, and compare Iowa's options with similar programs in other Midwest states. It will include input from fire chiefs' associations, city representatives (both large and small), county officials, and state legislators. The fire marshal must submit a report to the Iowa General Assembly by June 30, 2026. This bill does not implement consolidation but provides a factual basis for future decisions.
SF 137 modifies the training requirements for individuals applying to a short course law enforcement program who are sponsored by an agency but are not yet certified officers. Currently, these applicants must show proof of completing a two-year or four-year police science or criminal justice program from an accredited educational institution located in Iowa. This bill removes the requirement that the educational institution must be located within Iowa. Applicants would still need to have completed such a program from an accredited institution approved by the academy, regardless of its state location.
Senate File 507 proposes to restrict diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs within county and city governments in Iowa. The bill would prevent counties and cities from establishing DEI offices or hiring staff to perform DEI-related duties. It also prohibits local governments from requiring DEI statements or giving preferential consideration based on them. The bill defines "diversity, equity, and inclusion" broadly, including efforts to influence composition or promote differential treatment based on characteristics like race, sex, or gender identity, and restricts the promotion of certain related concepts. However, it explicitly allows for legal compliance activities related to federal anti-discrimination laws.
SF 514 modifies temporary child custody orders during dissolution proceedings, directly affecting divorcing parents and their children. The bill mandates that courts initially order temporary joint physical care of a child to both parents while the original custody case is pending. This temporary joint physical care must be ordered unless there is a rebuttable presumption against awarding physical care to one of the parties. If the court determines that joint physical care is inappropriate, it must provide specific reasons for its decision.
SF 180 establishes an individual's right to refuse certain medical services for reasons of conscience, including religious convictions. This right applies to medical services declared a federal countermeasure or given emergency use authorization by the FDA. The bill prohibits businesses, employers, healthcare providers, and government entities from denying employment or services, segregating, penalizing, or discriminating against individuals who refuse such services. Individuals negatively affected by a violation can bring a civil action for injunctive relief, declaratory judgment, and damages, including attorney fees.
SF 35 expands the definition of harassment to include the unauthorized sharing of personal information. This bill directly affects individuals whose private contact or identity details are shared without their consent, as well as those who engage in such actions. It specifies that a person commits harassment if they purposefully disseminate, publish, distribute, or post another person's personal information without consent, intending to threaten, intimidate, annoy, or alarm them or encourage others to do so. "Personal information" is broadly defined to include contact details like home address, phone numbers, email, social media profiles, place of employment, and photographic depictions. Violations of this provision are classified as harassment in the first degree, an aggravated misdemeanor.
SF 515 requires Iowa courts to prioritize a child's current educational setting during custody disputes. It creates a legal presumption that children should remain in their existing school (public, private, or homeschool) unless a parent provides strong evidence showing it harms the child's best interests. The bill applies specifically to cases where parents disagree about schooling, including those with joint legal custody. Court orders must now explicitly outline each parent's rights regarding school access, records, and decisions about the child's education.
This bill amends Iowa law to require strict liability for individuals or entities in control of hazardous substances. It specifically holds them financially responsible for "excessive and extraordinary" costs incurred by the state or local governments during oversight and monitoring of hazardous conditions they caused. The new provision directly affects businesses and individuals handling hazardous materials, as they may now face additional financial obligations beyond typical cleanup costs. This change focuses solely on monitoring and oversight expenses, not remediation or cleanup costs, which remain governed by existing law.
SF 301 allows county hospitals to establish and operate child care facilities. It permits a county hospital's board of trustees to either directly run the facility or contract with a licensed provider for its operation. All child care facilities established by county hospitals under this act must adhere to the existing state regulations for child care facilities outlined in Code chapter 237A.
This bill modifies the duties of the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) concerning air quality. It adjusts the timeframe for DNR's annual greenhouse gas emissions report to align with federal EPA inventories and allows the federal report to fulfill this requirement. The bill also updates administrative rule references for air emission and operating permit fees. Furthermore, it repeals state mandates for DNR to create a greenhouse gas inventory and a voluntary registry, and removes a provision requiring rules for solid waste incinerator operator certification.
SF 445 modifies Iowa's early childhood education programs to expand access and improve quality. It allows community-based child care centers to directly participate in the statewide preschool program (rather than only partnering with school districts) and sets new requirements for these centers, including demonstrating readiness for high-quality instruction and participating in data collection. The bill also establishes a new "child care continuum partnership grants pilot program" within the Department of Health and Human Services to support coordinated early care services. These changes affect school districts, community child care providers, and children enrolled in preschool programs, with funding adjustments included to support the modifications.
