This bill requires public employers in Iowa to provide free cancer screening exams every three years to full-time firefighters, police officers, and emergency medical services providers, starting July 2025. Political subdivisions (like cities or counties) can be reimbursed up to $1,250 per employee per three-year period for these screenings, funded by a $1 million state appropriation for fiscal year 2025-2026. The bill also expands the definition of "cancer" in retirement systems (including the Public Safety Officers' Retirement System and Municipal Fire and Police Retirement System) to include all cancer diagnoses, thereby broadening eligibility for disability and death benefits. It ensures political subdivisions must comply with these requirements without exemption due to funding concerns.
SF 315, known as the "Iowa Competitive Pharmacy Benefits Managers Marketplace Act," aims to reduce prescription drug costs for public employees in self-funded state health plans. The bill mandates that the state department procure pharmacy benefits manager (PBM) services through a "reverse auction" process. This online, competitive bidding system allows PBMs to offer progressively lower prices for their services. Additionally, the department must acquire a technology platform to conduct these auctions and perform detailed, line-by-line audits of PBM claims to ensure contract compliance. The first PBM contract awarded through this new system is scheduled to take effect on January 1, 2026.
SF 434 creates a state child care solutions fund within Iowa's treasury, controlled by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). The fund uses $6 million in state appropriations (for FY 2025-2026) plus interest and private donations to provide a 2:1 state match for communities that secure private investment to increase child care worker wages. This directly affects child care providers and workers in designated geographic areas ("communities"), requiring communities to raise private funds to qualify for state matching dollars. HHS must track and report annually on how funds are used, including wages increased, workers retained or hired, and new child care slots created.
HF 177 enhances penalties for assaults against specific public safety and service workers in Iowa. It increases penalties for assaulting designated occupations - including peace officers, correctional staff, health care providers, fire fighters (paid or volunteer), and juvenile detention staff - to a class "C" felony when the assailant knows the victim's occupation and intends serious harm. The bill also adds a minimum 7-day jail term for assaults causing contact with saliva (e.g., spitting) against these workers, and classifies inmate assaults involving bodily fluids on corrections employees as a class "D" felony. These changes directly affect individuals assaulting these workers and inmates committing assaults within correctional facilities.
HF 1016 provides for the continuation of health insurance coverage for the surviving spouse and each surviving child of eligible employees of the state of Iowa. An "eligible employee" is defined as a state employee whose death was the direct result of a traumatic personal injury incurred while performing work duties, under specific conditions. The state must permit these survivors to continue or re-enroll in existing health insurance. While the state is not required to pay the cost, it may choose to cover all or part of the expenses, otherwise, the surviving family can elect to pay the remaining portion. This bill applies retroactively to January 1, 2024.
HF 967 modifies the Iowa Public Employees' Retirement System (IPERS) benefits and contributions for members employed in a protection occupation. Effective July 1, 2025, it increases the employee contribution share from 40% to 50% and decreases the employer share from 60% to 50% of the required contribution rate. For those retiring on or after July 1, 2025, the bill enhances the monthly retirement benefit calculation for service beyond 22 years and allows retirement at age 50 with 22 years of service. Additionally, it establishes an annual 1.5% cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) for eligible members, beneficiaries, and annuitants retiring from a protection occupation on or after July 1, 2025.
SF 565 provides for the continuation of health insurance coverage for the surviving spouses and children of employees of the state of Iowa. This bill ensures that these family members can maintain their health insurance benefits under specific conditions after the employee's death. It also includes provisions for retroactive applicability, meaning it could apply to past situations. The aim is to offer continued health coverage to these surviving families.
SF 645 is an appropriations bill that allocates state funds to support economic development programs in Iowa. It provides funding to the Economic Development Authority, Iowa Finance Authority, Department of Workforce Development, and the State Board of Regents and their institutions. The bill also extends the end date for the Housing Renewal Pilot Program, allowing it to continue operating beyond its originally scheduled termination.
HF 969 modifies retirement benefits for public employees in Iowa who are diagnosed with cancer. It adjusts contribution requirements and benefit calculations specifically for members of certain public retirement systems (like state or municipal plans) who develop cancer. The bill establishes new rules for how retirement contributions are handled and benefits are calculated following a cancer diagnosis. It became law after being signed by the Governor on June 6, 2025, with fiscal note documentation confirming its implementation.
HF 913 provides for the continuation of health insurance for the surviving spouse and children of Iowa state employees. This applies when an employee's death is determined to be the direct result of a traumatic personal injury incurred during work duties, with specific exclusions like intentional misconduct or intoxication. The state must permit survivors to continue or re-enroll in existing coverage, though the state is not required to pay the insurance costs. If the state does not cover the costs, the surviving family members can elect to continue coverage by paying the premiums themselves. The bill applies retroactively to January 1, 2024.
