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.
HF 305 amends Iowa law to expand the pool of professionals eligible to serve as county medical examiners. It adds advanced registered nurse practitioners and physician assistants to the current list of qualified candidates (which previously included only MDs, DOs, and osteopathic physicians). The bill maintains the existing appointment process, requiring the county board to select from lists provided by medical societies, while allowing temporary replacements from other counties if needed. This change directly affects counties seeking to appoint medical examiners by broadening the available qualified candidates. The bill focuses solely on qualification standards, not on funding or other policy changes.
HF 705 establishes a grant program within Iowa's Department of Justice to fund a nonprofit organization operating sexual assault forensic examination centers. To qualify, the nonprofit must be Iowa-incorporated, employ sexual assault nurse examiners, maintain dedicated treatment facilities for survivors, and prioritize sexual assault care as its main purpose. The funded organization must provide medical forensic services to all survivors - including adults, children, rural Iowans, and underserved groups - and offer trainings for medical professionals, law enforcement, and the public on sexual assault services and prevention. It must also submit annual reports to the attorney general detailing services and trainings delivered.
This bill requires Iowa school districts to employ either a licensed school nurse or a licensed athletic trainer (under Chapter 152D) to provide student health services starting July 1, 2025, replacing the current requirement for only a school nurse. It affects all public school districts in Iowa, mandating they aim for one provider per 750 students. The bill updates existing code sections to include athletic trainers as qualified personnel and specifies where health-related records must be stored (with the school nurse, athletic trainer, or administrator). These changes align with provisions for health services documentation and staffing in school health policies.
HF 111 creates a tax credit for advanced registered nurse practitioners (ARNPs) who serve as unpaid clinical preceptors for nursing students. Eligible preceptors receive a $500 credit per qualifying clinical mentoring session (with at least 100 hours of supervised learning), capped at $2,000 annually for individual income tax. To qualify, preceptors must provide uncompensated instruction at their workplace, be selected by nursing programs, and have at least one year of preceptor experience. The credit applies to tax years starting January 1, 2026, and any unused portion isn’t refundable or carryable to other years.
HF 375 proposes setting Iowa's minimum hourly wage for direct care professionals at $20.00 starting July 1, 2025, with a $19.10 minimum for those with less than 90 days of employment. It directly affects employers in nursing facilities, home care, and child care centers who hire workers providing personal care, health services, or support for people with illnesses or disabilities. The bill defines "direct care professionals" to include home health aides, certified nurse aides, and similar roles. This state wage requirement will apply instead of the federal minimum wage if it is lower. The bill is currently in the Labor and Workforce committee after introduction on February 13, 2025.
This bill (SF 117) protects pharmacists and licensed healthcare practitioners (like doctors, nurses, and dentists) from employer or licensing board restrictions that interfere with their professional judgment when prescribing, dispensing, or administering medications. It prohibits boards or employers from creating rules that deter professionals from using treatments they deem appropriate based on their expertise and scope of practice. Any such restriction - whether in contracts, handbooks, or policies - is declared unenforceable and cannot lead to disciplinary action. The bill ensures professionals using medication decisions within their scope and best judgment cannot face license discipline for those choices.
This bill allows physician assistants and advanced registered nurse practitioners (ARNPs) to testify at Iowa's involuntary commitment hearings on behalf of licensed physicians or mental health professionals who examined the respondent. To qualify, the PA/ARNP must provide three sworn statements: confirming they witnessed the exam, reviewed the written report, and that the primary provider cannot attend. It applies to both mental health and substance abuse commitment hearings, directly affecting respondents, their attorneys, and healthcare providers involved in these proceedings. The change streamlines testimony options while maintaining court oversight for waiver decisions.
HF 327 creates a tax credit for Iowa residents who serve as clinical preceptors for advanced registered nurse practitioner students. The credit provides $1,000 per clinical preceptorship (involving at least 100 hours of supervised learning) with a maximum $2,000 annual credit, directly affecting licensed nurse practitioners who mentor students without compensation. To qualify, preceptors must be employed at the clinical site, selected by the nursing program, and have at least one year of mentoring experience. The credit is refundable if it exceeds tax liability, and preceptors must document student details including hours and program information. The bill applies to tax years beginning January 1, 2026.
This bill creates a $1,000 tax credit per clinical preceptorship for Iowa-licensed advanced registered nurse practitioners (ARNPs) who provide uncompensated clinical instruction and supervision to nursing students. To qualify, ARNPs must be employed at the clinical site, have at least one year of preceptor experience, and document student details including hours of supervision and expected graduation year. The credit is refundable and capped at $2,000 annually per preceptor. It applies to tax years beginning January 1, 2026, and requires the Department of Revenue to report annual credit usage to the legislature.
