HF 986 establishes new funds and initiatives to enhance financial literacy and prevent financial exploitation for the public. It creates a Financial Literacy and Investor Education Fund and a Financial Exploitation Prevention Fund, which are partially funded by reallocating a portion of agent registration fees. The bill also establishes a Senior Health Insurance Information Program Fund to provide educational materials on health insurance for older Iowans. These provisions aim to educate Iowans on financial topics and assist potential victims of financial exploitation.
HF 458 establishes a state grant program within Iowa's Department of Justice to fund nonprofit organizations operating sexual assault forensic examination centers. Eligible nonprofits must be state-incorporated, employ sexual assault nurse examiners, maintain dedicated treatment facilities for survivors, and prioritize sexual assault care as their primary mission. The program requires grantees to provide medical forensic services to all survivors - including adults, children, rural residents, and people with disabilities - and conduct mandatory trainings for medical staff, law enforcement, prosecutors, and the public on sexual assault services and prevention. Grantees must submit annual reports on services delivered but may seek additional funding from other sources, with the contract structured as general reimbursement for operating costs.
HF 984 modifies services and support for youth, particularly those involved in juvenile delinquency and child in need of assistance proceedings. The bill updates definitions and requirements for psychiatric medical institutions for children (PMICs), specifying that they provide treatment, physical assessments, and behavioral health evaluations for youth with serious emotional disturbances, substance use disorders, or both. It also addresses the licensing and certification of these residential facilities and mentions home and community-based services. Additionally, it includes provisions for the administration of juvenile court services and the suspension of Hawki eligibility for inmates of public institutions.
HF 833 updates and expands services and support for youth under 21 involved in involuntary commitment, juvenile delinquency, and child welfare proceedings. The bill specifies that psychiatric medical institutions for children (PMICs) must provide physical assessments and behavioral health evaluations, particularly for youth with serious emotional disturbances or substance use disorders. It also clarifies licensing requirements for these residential facilities. Additionally, the bill ensures certain insurance coverage for youth with biologically based mental illnesses admitted to PMICs and addresses the suspension of Hawki eligibility for inmates of public institutions.
HF 326 establishes a pilot program in Iowa to provide hyperbaric oxygen treatment (for diabetic foot ulcers, traumatic brain injury, or PTSD) to eligible veterans through a dedicated reimbursement fund. It directly affects veterans diagnosed with PTSD or traumatic brain injury who require this treatment, as well as authorized treatment facilities. The bill creates a Veterans Recovery Fund to reimburse facilities for treatment costs and related travel/living expenses after a treatment plan is approved by the Department of Veterans Affairs. Facilities must submit proposed treatment plans for approval before providing care, and veterans cannot be charged for services under the program. The program requires biennial reports to the legislature evaluating participation and effectiveness.
HF 905 establishes Iowa's "Work Without Worry" program, providing Medicaid coverage to employed individuals with disabilities aged 18-64 who meet specific criteria. The program removes standard income and asset limits by requiring a monthly premium of 6% of countable income (rounded down to the nearest dollar), with automatic enrollment for Supplemental Security Income recipients. It includes a six-month grace period for temporary job loss or health crises, maintaining coverage during this time with ongoing premium payments. Administered by Iowa's Department of Health and Human Services, the program requires federal approval to implement under Medicaid rules.
SF 463 amends Iowa's drug paraphernalia law to expand exemptions. It explicitly states that hypodermic needles or syringes sold or possessed for any lawful purpose (not just medical use) are no longer considered drug paraphernalia. The bill also adds a new exemption for equipment used to test for fentanyl, fentanyl analogs, or drug adulterants in controlled substances. These changes directly affect individuals using needles lawfully (e.g., for medical treatment or harm reduction programs) and organizations testing for dangerous substances. The bill does not change penalties for other drug paraphernalia uses.
This bill (1361DP) ensures that the surviving spouse and children of Iowa state employees who die from work-related traumatic injuries can continue their existing state health insurance coverage. It applies only to deaths directly caused by traumatic injuries incurred while performing job duties (excluding deaths from stress, chronic illness, misconduct, intoxication, or gross negligence). The state must allow coverage continuation but isn’t required to pay for it; if the state doesn’t cover costs, the family can choose to pay the uncovered portion to maintain coverage. Exclusions include cases where the survivor contributed to the employee’s death or becomes ineligible for other reasons (like remarriage).
SF 63 creates an Iowa cancer research program funded by a $4 million appropriation from the state general fund for fiscal year 2025-2026. The Department of Health and Human Services will use these funds to support cancer research projects at Iowa's public colleges and universities, allocating $1.25 million each for pediatric cancer research, cancer prevention research (addressing Iowa's high cancer rates), and basic cancer research (studying cellular responses to cancer). The department will select projects through requests for proposals, prioritizing scientific merit, potential health benefits for Iowans, and inclusion of diverse expertise. Up to 5% of the funds may cover administrative costs for the program.
HF 143 establishes a $750,000 fund to support rural veterinary practices in Iowa counties with populations of 30,000 or fewer (based on the latest U.S. Census data). The fund provides financial assistance - up to $25,000 per practice annually - for eligible practices to improve facilities, acquire equipment, or adopt new technologies for treating agricultural animals. To qualify, practices must be located in Iowa, employ fewer than 50 people, have no recent disciplinary actions against their licensed veterinarians, and not be in bankruptcy. The Iowa Department of Agriculture will administer the program, prioritizing practices serving livestock like cattle, pigs, and poultry.
Tags
Rural Communities
