This bill expands career education opportunities and recognition for Iowa students. It mandates new career planning and exploration curriculum for public school students in grades five through eight, designed to help them understand career pathways and prepare for future academic and career plans. For high school students, the bill directs the Department of Education to establish a list of industry-recognized credentials and create a corresponding seal. School districts would then report students who achieve these credentials and recognize them by adding the seal to their transcripts or providing a certificate.
This bill, known as the "College Affordability Act," aims to address tuition, degree programs, and employment for students at Iowa's public universities. It limits annual tuition and mandatory fee increases for in-state resident students to no more than three percent, and starting in 2026, requires tuition for in-state undergraduates to remain frozen at their first-year rate for subsequent academic years. The bill also directs universities to offer at least one three-year bachelor's degree program by 2027 and establish a "work plus" program where employers cover tuition and fees for participating part-time student employees.
SF 275 requires the Director of the Department of Education to develop and administer a "purple star school initiative." This initiative is designed to recognize and support schools that provide specific resources and services for military-connected students and their families. The bill tasks the Department of Education with creating the program's framework and overseeing its implementation across the state.
This bill modifies the Iowa National Guard service scholarship program, which helps eligible Iowa National Guard members pay for college tuition. It establishes that scholarship awards cannot exceed the difference between a student's tuition and any financial aid they receive under specific federal military programs (10 U.S.C. §2007). Additionally, the bill removes a provision that previously prohibited scholarship eligibility or award determinations from being based on a National Guard member's unit, drill location, or whether they are in the Army or Air National Guard.
House File 117 establishes the National Guard Service Professional Qualification Scholarship Program, directly affecting members of the Iowa National Guard. This program provides scholarships to eligible Guard members pursuing specific educational programs at community colleges, state universities, or accredited private institutions. The scholarships are for programs leading to a "credential," such as a postsecondary certificate or competency-based qualification, but do not cover associate or higher degrees. The Adjutant General approves eligible educational programs and determines individual eligibility, with the College Student Aid Commission administering the scholarship payments, which cannot exceed the total program cost.
This bill modifies the qualifications for individuals seeking to become Certified Public Accountants (CPAs) in Iowa, as well as rules for out-of-state CPAs. It establishes two pathways for initial certification: applicants can either complete 150 semester hours of college education with one year of experience, or 120 semester hours of college education with two years of experience. Both pathways require a baccalaureate degree with an accounting concentration and broadly defined experience, which can be gained in various sectors like government or industry. The bill also updates existing statutes to align reciprocity and practice privilege requirements for out-of-state CPAs with these new experience standards. These changes will take effect on July 1, 2026.
SF 470 establishes new regulations for dental care services, impacting dental care providers and insurance carriers. The bill modifies the process for prior authorization of dental treatments. It also requires dental insurance carriers to inform providers if their service plans are state-regulated. Additionally, the bill sets guidelines for how dental carriers can recover overpayments made to providers.
This bill creates new protections for sports and exposition venues, including racetracks, athletic facilities, and large exhibition sites, shielding them from certain nuisance lawsuits. It limits who can file a nuisance action against these venues, generally requiring the complainant to be a majority property owner and for the venue to have materially violated an existing law. Venues that have operated for over one year are largely protected from nuisance claims due to changed local conditions or reasonable expansions, provided they comply with applicable laws and permits. However, these protections do not apply if the nuisance arises from negligent operation or if the venue is operating in violation of federal, state, or local laws.
HF 887 proposes to change the definition of "institutional health facility" within state law. Specifically, this bill removes birth centers from being classified under this term. This change directly affects birth centers by altering their regulatory status, meaning they would no longer be subject to the same regulations as other facilities previously included in that definition.
House File 919 creates a new "specialty hospital" designation for certain nonprofit organizations in Iowa that were previously licensed nursing facilities. These hospitals must primarily serve individuals aged 30 and younger, with a high percentage of patients receiving Medicaid, and specialize in pediatric rehabilitation or complex medical/behavioral health needs.
The bill directs state departments to grant qualifying entities a provisional general hospital license by July 1, 2025, enabling them to receive enhanced hospital-based reimbursement set at their average allowable per diem costs. It also allows for waivers from certain hospital facility requirements, construction standards, and exemptions from providing specific emergency, laboratory, or pathology services beyond what they currently offer. Furthermore, the bill permits the redesignation of nursing facility beds to specialty hospital beds and expansion up to 100 beds.
This bill eliminates the mandatory registration requirement for dental assistants in Iowa. It updates state law to reflect that all dental assistants, rather than just "registered dental assistants," will be subject to the Iowa Dental Board's authority. The board will continue to investigate complaints, mediate disputes, impose penalties, and take disciplinary action against any practicing dental assistant. This ensures that the existing scope of practice, including requirements for expanded functions and supervision by a licensed dentist, still applies to all dental assistants.
This bill mandates that counties and cities in Iowa must allow at least one accessory dwelling unit (ADU) on lots with single-family residences. It directly affects property owners by standardizing and simplifying the process of building ADUs, and local governments by limiting their regulatory authority. The legislation sets statewide parameters, such as allowing ADUs up to 1,000 square feet or 50% of the main house, whichever is larger. It prohibits local ordinances from imposing overly restrictive rules on aspects like design, parking, owner-occupancy, or separate utility connections. Furthermore, it requires local governments to approve compliant ADU permits without discretionary review, following the same timeline as single-family home permits.
