A bill for an act relating to certified medication aides.
HF 2680 simplifies certification for medication aides working in Iowa nursing homes, residential care facilities, and specialized care centers. The bill requires Iowa's Department of Inspections to create a free online registry where medication aides can submit proof of passing exams, eliminating fees for accessing or submitting certification records. It also allows aides certified in other states to become certified in Iowa without retaking nurse aide exams or meeting additional employment requirements. The bill rescinds outdated administrative rules about medication aide training and mandates new rules to standardize certification across all relevant facilities.
Bill status
signed
all 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Feb 2026
Committee Review
House Passage
Mar 2026
Senate Passage
Apr 2026
Signed into Law
Apr 2026
Introduced Feb 23, 2026
Signed Apr 16, 2026
Maddy AI version diff · 3 comparisons
What changed between versions
Enrolled
→
Enrolled with Governor's Action
·
4 edits
·
Apr 16, 2026
MODERATE
This bill establishes a pathway for individuals certified as medication aides in other states to become certified in Iowa without needing prior employment in the state. It creates a new certification registry, removes the requirement for a separate nurse aide exam for out-of-state applicants, and rescinds several outdated administrative rules.
Scope change
The bill expands the scope of certification eligibility to include out-of-state certified medication aides and adds a new section governing rules for medication aides in various care facilities.
ELIGIBILITY
Allows individuals certified as medication aides in other states to become certified in Iowa upon passing specific examinations, removing the previous requirement for prior employment in Iowa.
REQUIREMENT
Establishes a new medication aide certification registry on the department's website to track exam completion without charging fees for access.
Removes the requirement for out-of-state certified medication aides to pass a separate nurse aide competency examination to work in Iowa.
Rescinds eleven specific administrative rules from the Iowa Administrative Code that are no longer applicable under the new certification framework.
Floor votes · Senate Apr 1, 2026
How they voted
45–0
Passed · 4 other
Total votes 49
Apr 1, 2026
D
Democratic15
93% Yea
R
Republican34
91% Yea
Vote distribution
All Yea
All Nay
Mixed
No data
Full legislative history
Actions timeline
Total actions
12
Key actions
3
Committee
0
Apr 16, 2026
Signed into law
Signed by Governor.
lower
Apr 1, 2026
Upper · Passed
Passed Senate, yeas 46, nays 0.
upper
Mar 5, 2026
Lower · Passed
Passed House, yeas 86, nays 0.
lower
Feb 23, 2026
Introduced
Introduced, placed on calendar.
lower
0 primary · 0 co-sponsors
Sponsors
No sponsor information available.
Ask Maddy
·
AI policy assistant
Ask Maddy about HF 2680
Scope: IA
Hi! I can help you understand HF 2680. What would you like to know?
Try one of these
i
Maddy answers using official bill text and legislative records. Always verify before sharing.
Sources cited inline