Iowa Bills

passed · Iowa · House Apr 3, 2025

HF 932: A bill for an act relating to requirements for a parent to obtain joint physical custody of a child.

HF 932 amends Iowa law to clarify requirements for parents seeking joint physical custody (where the child lives). If a court denies joint physical custody, it must provide specific reasons and list concrete steps the parent must meet to reapply later. The bill requires courts to mandate a detailed parenting plan covering decision-making, time-sharing, and dispute resolution before approving joint physical custody. This directly affects parents involved in custody disputes in Iowa courts, ensuring clearer pathways for modifying custody orders when circumstances change.

passed · Iowa · Senate Apr 3, 2025

SF 394: A bill for an act relating to pesticides, by providing for tort liability.

This bill (SF 394) changes Iowa law regarding pesticide labeling by establishing that federal Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) labels for pesticides - approved under the federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA) - satisfy all state requirements for health and safety warnings. It directly affects pesticide manufacturers, sellers, and distributors, as they will no longer need to meet separate Iowa labeling standards beyond the federal EPA label. The key provision states that federal labels (including human health assessments or carcinogenicity classifications) will override any state law or common law duty to provide additional warnings. This does not prevent lawsuits based on other state law claims unrelated to labeling. The bill aims to align Iowa's requirements with federal standards for pesticides.

passed · Iowa · House Apr 3, 2025

HF 317: A bill for an act relating to indigent defense and the appointment of counsel by the court.

HF 317 modifies Iowa's indigent defense law by changing when court-appointed lawyers representing low-income defendants can be held liable for ineffective counsel. The bill states that such attorneys are generally not liable for damages resulting from a conviction unless a court later determines (in a postconviction proceeding or appeal) that their ineffective assistance directly caused the conviction. This rule also applies to attorneys in juvenile or civil cases where ineffective representation caused harm. The bill further treats these appointed attorneys as state employees for the purpose of legal defense and indemnification under Iowa law.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

passed · Iowa · Senate Apr 2, 2025

SF 308: A bill for an act relating to disclosure to the general assembly of information concerning nongovernmental employers and providing remedies.

This Iowa bill protects private employees who disclose workplace violations or safety hazards to lawmakers. It prohibits employers from stopping such disclosures, punishing employees for making them, or requiring employees to notify them about disclosures. Employees facing retaliation can seek court-ordered reinstatement, back pay, or compensation (up to three times annual wages). The bill also ensures these disclosures remain confidential and prevents employers from using deceptive tactics to avoid liability.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment

passed · Iowa · House Apr 2, 2025

HF 858: A bill for an act relating to concussion and brain injury training for coaches.

HF 858 requires all Iowa high school coaches and contest officials to complete concussion and brain injury training every two years. The bill directs the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services, Iowa High School Athletic Association, and Iowa Girls High School Athletic Union to jointly develop training materials covering concussion evaluation, prevention, symptoms, risks, and long-term effects. This modifies existing law by specifically stating coaches must complete the training biennially, reinforcing current requirements without creating new obligations. The bill focuses on standardizing and updating safety protocols for youth sports participants.

passed · Iowa · House Apr 2, 2025

HR 16: A resolution recognizing and commending the National Conference of State Legislatures on its fiftieth anniversary.

This resolution formally recognizes and commends the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL) for its 50th anniversary. It highlights NCSL's role as a bipartisan organization supporting state legislatures through research, idea-sharing, and fostering cooperation. The resolution has no policy impact; it simply expresses congressional appreciation and directs the House Chief Clerk to send a copy to NCSL.

passed · Iowa · Senate Apr 2, 2025

SF 407: A bill for an act relating to the membership of district judicial nominating commissions.

SF 407 changes Iowa's district judicial nominating commission structure. It increases the number of eligible electors appointed by the governor from five to six per commission and removes judges from serving as commission members or chairpersons. Instead, commission members will now elect their own chairperson from among themselves, ending the practice where the most senior judge automatically served as chair. This affects all 14 district judicial nominating commissions responsible for screening judicial applicants and providing the governor with two nominees for district court vacancies. The bill modifies the composition and leadership selection process without changing the commissions' core function.

passed · Iowa · House Apr 1, 2025

HF 522: A bill for an act relating to the therapeutic classroom incentive program by authorizing the expenditure of moneys for certain nutritional items.

HF 522 amends Iowa's therapeutic classroom incentive program to allow school districts using grant funds to cover specific nutritional items for students. It directly affects students in therapeutic classrooms - those whose emotional, social, or behavioral needs interfere with learning - and the school districts administering these programs. Key provisions authorize funding for micronutrient access (like vitamins D and K2), assessments of macro-nutritional needs, provision of whole foods (fresh produce, healthy proteins), restrictions on artificial food additives, and initiatives addressing digital screen use and natural light exposure. The bill expands allowable uses of existing grant funds to support nutrition-based strategies within therapeutic classrooms.

Topics ✓ Education ✓ Healthcare

passed · Iowa · Senate Apr 1, 2025

SF 494: A bill for an act prohibiting the regulation of certain residential gardens by state agencies and local governments.

This bill prohibits state agencies and local governments from regulating residential gardens on properties with one or two family homes. It specifically prevents bans on growing or harvesting food (like vegetables, herbs, or fruits) for personal or family use, and stops restrictions on selling such garden food to others. Exceptions include cases involving public safety, invasive plants, medical cannabis, or commercial operations. The law applies only to private residential properties and does not override existing rules about public health or property disputes.

passed · Iowa · House Apr 1, 2025

HF 509: A bill for an act relating to Hawki coverage for the treatment of autism spectrum disorder applied behavior analysis services, and the autism support program.

HF 509 modifies Iowa's autism support program by prohibiting new applications after June 30, 2025, while ensuring continued services for individuals approved before that date. The bill repeals the autism support program entirely effective July 1, 2027, and transfers any unspent funds from its dedicated support fund to the Hawki trust fund. It also requires medical assistance plans to cover applied behavior analysis services for autism spectrum disorder treatment. This directly affects current and future applicants to Iowa's autism support program, phasing out new enrollment while maintaining existing coverage until the program's sunset.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

passed · Iowa · Senate Apr 1, 2025

SF 590: A bill for an act limiting liability for food distributors who donate food to charitable or nonprofit organizations or certain government entities.

SF 590 protects food distributors from legal liability when donating food to qualified organizations, provided they reasonably check the food for safety at the time of donation. It directly affects distributors who give food to charities distributing it free to needy people, or to Iowa's Department of Natural Resources or county conservation boards for free educational programs. The law grants immunity from civil or criminal claims if the donation is made in good faith and the food is fit for consumption, but excludes cases of negligence, recklessness, or known food safety risks. This expands existing protections previously limited to entities like restaurants and schools to explicitly include food distributors. The bill does not change how donations are made, only clarifies the legal safeguards for donors.

passed · Iowa · House Apr 1, 2025

HF 578: A bill for an act relating to the office of the consumer advocate.

HF 578 establishes the Office of the Consumer Advocate as a separate division within Iowa's Department of Justice. It specifies that the attorney general appoints the consumer advocate from a list provided by a committee (secretary of agriculture, auditor, and treasurer), sets their salary within defined ranges, and requires regular reports to that same committee. The bill also clarifies that the office's expenses and funding are handled separately from the utilities commission, with costs assessed against utility proceedings. This bill primarily affects the structure, staffing, and administrative operations of the consumer advocate office, not consumer protections themselves.

Bill results