HF 2526 is a bill that would make the residential addresses of foster parents confidential in Iowa. It directly affects foster parents, biological parents of foster children, and the Department of Health and Human Services. The law would prevent the department from sharing a foster parent's unredacted address with a biological parent, either in documents or verbally, without the foster parent's written consent. Foster parents could choose to provide written consent allowing disclosure, but otherwise, their address would remain confidential. This changes how the state handles address information in foster care cases.
This bill (SF 2430) requires custodians and boards of public officers at Iowa public buildings to fly U.S. and Iowa flags at half-staff when directed by a governor's proclamation. It directly affects state and local government officials responsible for managing public buildings. The key provision mandates compliance with the governor's half-staff orders, and allows any person to report violations to the attorney general, who may seek legal enforcement. As a procedural bill governing flag display protocols, it does not create new policy but standardizes existing practice.
This bill changes Iowa's rules for nonresident deer hunters. Currently, nonresidents buying an antlered or "any sex" deer hunting license must also buy an antlerless deer license at the same time. The bill modifies this by requiring the antlerless license purchase only if the hunting zone isn't designated as exempt by the wildlife commission. Nonresident hunters in designated zones would no longer need to purchase the antlerless license alongside their primary license. This affects nonresident hunters purchasing deer licenses in Iowa's specified hunting zones.
SF 2139 creates the "athletic trainer compact," allowing licensed athletic trainers in Iowa to practice across state lines in other participating states without obtaining separate licenses. It directly affects licensed athletic trainers, particularly those relocating for military service or seeking broader practice opportunities, by enabling mutual recognition of licenses among member states. Key provisions include streamlining interstate practice through uniform requirements, reducing administrative burdens for both trainers and states, and maintaining each state’s regulatory authority over licensure and scope of practice. The compact also enhances access to care through telehealth and improves information sharing on disciplinary actions between states.
HF 2185 ensures that people enrolled in qualified high-deductible health plans (HDHPs) with health savings accounts (HSAs) can maintain their HSA eligibility. It requires that copays, coinsurance, or deductibles paid by the enrollee only count toward their deductible *after* they’ve met their minimum deductible, unless the service is preventive care. This prevents cost-sharing payments from accidentally making someone ineligible for an HSA. The bill applies to group health insurance and accident/health insurance plans in Iowa.
HF 777 allows Iowa insurers to obtain a salvage title for a motor vehicle without requiring the physical title document, directly affecting insurers handling damaged or stolen vehicles covered under settlement agreements. The bill requires insurers to wait 30 days after settlement, document two written attempts to obtain the title (via certified mail), and submit supporting proof of ownership transfer (like power of attorney or duplicate title applications) instead of the physical title. Applications must include a $20 fee, $5 surcharge, proof of settlement payment, and can use electronic signatures under penalty of perjury. The salvage title will be lien-free with "SALVAGE" marked on it and takes effect January 1, 2026.
HF 907 requires Iowa's Department of Transportation to create a special registration program for noncommercial fleet vehicles (like company-owned delivery vans or service vehicles) by August 1, 2028. The bill mandates the department to design unique license plates for these vehicles, which would indicate fleet status, allow reassignment between vehicles in the same fleet, and exempt them from annual sticker requirements. Eligibility rules for this fleet registration will be established through new department rules. This directly affects businesses and organizations operating multiple noncommercial vehicles, streamlining their registration process.
HF 766 modifies regulations for motor vehicle window tint, directly affecting individuals who operate vehicles on Iowa highways. The bill establishes specific light transmittance standards in state law, removing the Department of Transportation's authority to set these rules. It prohibits front windshields from having less than 70% light transmittance and side windows immediately next to or forward of the driver from having less than 50% light transmittance. Operating a vehicle in violation of these standards would be subject to a scheduled fine.
This bill modifies procedures for child placements, affecting children removed from parental custody, their relatives, and foster parents. It requires the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to employ dedicated staff to identify and notify a child's grandparents, aunts, uncles, and other adult relatives within 30 days of the child's removal from parental custody. Additionally, if a child has resided with a licensed foster parent for at least nine months, a court cannot order a new placement unless it specifically finds that doing so is in the child's best interests and provides reasons.
HF 640 modifies regulations for self-storage facilities and rental agreements. It clarifies that using a leased self-storage space for residential purposes constitutes an immediate default, allowing operators to limit access. The bill also specifies that if an occupant takes possession of a unit but fails to sign a written agreement within 30 days, they are deemed to have accepted its terms. Furthermore, when an occupant is in default or their agreement is not renewed, operators must provide 15 days' notice to remove personal property, during which access can be restricted if outlined in the rental agreement.
SF 542 allows courts in Iowa to temporarily pause child support and medical support payments when a juvenile court places a child with someone who already has a support obligation. It directly affects individuals ordered to pay support (payors) and those receiving support (payees) when custody changes. The bill requires payors to file a specific application with court details and a custody notice, triggering a suspension effective with the next payment date. Courts must waive filing fees for these applications, and the suspension ends automatically 60 days after the juvenile court case concludes or if custody returns to the original recipient.
This bill (SF 93) sets specific qualifications for members of Iowa county veteran affairs commissions and their executive directors. It requires all commission members to be veterans meeting one of three criteria: (1) a veteran as defined in Iowa law, (2) an active Iowa National Guard/reserve member with a unit recommendation, or (3) a former Guard/reserve member with an honorable discharge (DD214 or letter). The executive director must also meet these same veteran qualifications, except for those hired before July 1, 1989. The bill directly affects county-level veteran affairs leadership positions across Iowa.
