This bill prohibits Iowa public agencies from purchasing or collecting health information from entities not covered by federal HIPAA privacy rules, regardless of whether individuals consented to share their data. It directly affects public agencies (like state or local government offices) by restricting their ability to obtain health data from non-HIPAA sources, such as private health apps or unregulated businesses. The key provision explicitly bans such data collection or purchase, defining "health information" using federal standards and "public agency" per Iowa law. The bill aims to limit government access to sensitive health data outside established federal privacy protections. It does not change individual privacy rights but restricts how public entities may gather health information from certain third parties.
HF 2604 amends Iowa law to define a pregnant woman's use of controlled substances (as defined in §124.101) as child abuse when she is responsible for a child's care. This bill expands the definition of "child" to include unborn children from fertilization to birth and requires mandatory reporters (like healthcare workers) to report such substance use to the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) as child abuse. Upon receiving such a report, HHS must conduct a child abuse assessment to determine if the report is valid, offer support to the pregnant woman, and take actions to protect the child's health. The bill directly affects pregnant women using controlled substances while caring for a child and changes how substance use during pregnancy is handled under child abuse reporting laws.
HF 2613 requires accredited nonpublic schools accepting education savings account funds to annually report to Iowa's Department of Education the total amount received, detailed expenditures (including salaries and infrastructure), and publish a budget identifying these funds' intended use. It also mandates parents/guardians who decline participation or withdraw students to report their reasons to the Department. The Department must compile this data and submit an annual report to the Iowa General Assembly by September 1, including total funds distributed, school receipts, expenditure details, and participation withdrawal reasons. This bill directly affects nonpublic schools, families using savings accounts, and the Department of Education through new transparency requirements. The policy focuses on tracking fund usage and program participation without altering eligibility or funding levels.
SF 2398 (Iowa) restricts a legal defense called "justification" for certain violent crimes. It prohibits defendants from using this defense if they commit a violent crime (as defined in Iowa law) because of a nonviolent sexual advance they received, or solely because of the victim's sex, sexual orientation, or gender identity. The bill directly affects individuals accused of violent crimes who might otherwise claim justification based on these specific circumstances. It changes the legal standard by removing this defense option in those defined situations, without altering the definition of violent crimes themselves.
HF 2593, known as "The Amir Act," requires Iowa healthcare facilities (including hospitals, birth centers, and birthing hospitals) to implement specific protocols for handling concerns raised by caregivers about an infant or the infant’s mother. Key provisions mandate that facilities document all caregiver concerns (such as verbal or written expressions of distress), immediately assess them, escalate unresolved issues to supervising clinicians or rapid response teams, and prohibit retaliation against caregivers. Facilities must also provide written and verbal notices to caregivers outlining their rights to request higher care acuity, initiate rapid response, and have concerns documented. Additionally, staff must undergo annual training on implicit bias, recognizing warning signs, and using escalation protocols, with the state health department overseeing enforcement and data collection.
This is a ceremonial Senate resolution (SR 107), not a policy bill. It formally recognizes and honors the Animal Rescue League of Iowa for its 100th anniversary (founded 1926), highlighting its role as Iowa's largest nonprofit animal shelter. The resolution acknowledges the organization's work caring for over 13,000 animals annually and its programs like low-cost veterinary services and pet adoptions. It does not create new laws, allocate funds, or affect any policies or individuals.
Iowa's HSB 753 regulates hemp products by defining key terms like "raw hemp," "semisynthetic cannabinoid," and "synthetic cannabinoid," while explicitly excluding synthetic and semisynthetic products from its rules. It classifies legally produced hemp as an agricultural commodity, allowing its commercial sale without being treated as a controlled substance - provided it meets federal and state THC limits (tested per established requirements). The bill requires hemp products to comply with THC testing standards and clarifies that hemp-derived products aren't regulated as drugs or tobacco absent specific authorization. This directly affects hemp farmers, processors, and retailers in Iowa by setting uniform statewide rules for lawful hemp commerce.
SF 2362 creates a study committee to examine Iowa's long-term care workforce challenges. The committee, made up of legislative leaders and 12 stakeholder representatives (including consumers, providers, and state agencies), will review service adequacy, training needs, recruitment strategies, pay rates, and turnover causes. It must submit findings by January 2027, after which the legislative fiscal committee will review the report and propose solutions by October 2027. This bill does not change laws but sets a process for studying workforce issues affecting long-term care workers and residents.
HF 2632 lowers the vote threshold for school district bond approvals from 60% to a simple majority (over 50%). This change applies specifically to school districts, while counties, cities, and other local governments must still secure 60% approval for bond measures. The bill amends Iowa Code sections 75.1 and 296.6 to reflect this distinction. All bond elections must still occur on the date specified in section 39.2, subsection 4, paragraph "d".
SSB 3145 increases taxes on cigarettes to 6.85 cents per cigarette and establishes new tax rates for tobacco products (22.55% + 28% of wholesale price), with specific provisions for cigars (max $0.55 tax per cigar) and snuff ($1.19 per ounce). It directly affects tobacco distributors, retailers, and consumers by imposing these taxes at various points in the supply chain and for personal use. The bill includes exemptions for small personal quantities (e.g., less than 25 cigars or 1 pound of tobacco) and requires electronic tax payments for vending machines. It also allocates funding to Iowa's Department of Health and Human Services and Department of Justice for tobacco-related programs.
HF 2574 increases penalties for public employees and officials who steal money from public employers. It mandates prison time for anyone who takes over $10,000 from a public employer (like state agencies, schools, or local governments) while working as a public employee or official, including contractors or vendors. Courts cannot delay sentencing or suspend prison terms in these cases unless the defendant proves, with strong evidence, that special circumstances justify an exception. The bill defines "public employer" broadly to cover state and local government entities, and "public official" as defined in Iowa law. This change directly affects public sector workers who commit theft exceeding $10,000.
SJR 2008 is a non-binding resolution passed by the Iowa General Assembly supporting the elimination of the U.S. Department of Education and the transfer of education authority to state and local governments. It argues that federal education regulations have caused inefficiency and stagnant student reading scores despite high spending, and that states are better positioned to address local educational needs. The resolution urges the U.S. Congress to cooperate with efforts to dissolve the Department of Education, citing the Tenth Amendment as the constitutional basis for state control. This resolution does not change federal policy but formally expresses Iowa's position on education governance.
