Iowa Bills

died · Iowa · House Mar 16, 2026

HF 2298: A bill for an act providing for the regulation of commercial establishments possessing or controlling nonagricultural animals, providing penalties, and making penalties applicable.

HF 2298 requires pet shops, breeders, kennels, and shelters to obtain state licenses to operate. These businesses must maintain records and cannot purchase dogs or cats from unlicensed facilities. The state will inspect facilities based on risk levels, with licenses subject to suspension for violations. This directly affects all commercial animal businesses in Iowa that handle nonagricultural animals.

in committee · Iowa · Senate Mar 16, 2026

SF 2455: A bill for an act relating to insurance coverage for emergency services, reimbursements for out-of-network providers, and complicating factors.

This bill requires health insurance plans to cover emergency services provided by out-of-network doctors or hospitals, ensuring patients aren't charged more than their standard cost-sharing. Out-of-network providers must be reimbursed at the greater of 150% of Medicare rates or the median payment for similar services by in-network providers, with no additional billing allowed beyond patient cost-sharing. It introduces a new process for providers to request extra reimbursement (25% more) for "complicating factors" (like severe conditions requiring exceptional effort), supported by medical documentation. Disputes over these additional claims are resolved through binding arbitration managed by the insurance commissioner, with strict timelines for claims submission and decisions.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

died · Iowa · House Mar 16, 2026

HF 2436: A bill for an act relating to dissolution of marriage, including name change requests.

HF 2436 allows individuals obtaining a divorce in Iowa to request a name change to either their birth certificate name or their name before marriage as part of their divorce decree. If a person seeks a different name, they must use a separate legal process under Chapter 674. The court clerk must issue a standalone document confirming the name change, which cannot include any other details from the divorce case. This bill directly affects people filing for divorce in Iowa seeking to update their legal name.

passed · Iowa · House Mar 16, 2026

HF 2488: A bill for an act prohibiting private institutions of higher education that participate in the Iowa tuition grant program from establishing diversity, equity, and inclusion offices.

HF 2488 prohibits private colleges in Iowa that receive Iowa Tuition Grants from establishing or maintaining Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) offices. The bill defines a DEI office as any unit creating or promoting policies related to race, ethnicity, gender, or sexual orientation, but excludes legal compliance offices, academic departments, student recruitment, and student organizations. Private institutions violating this could lose eligibility for the tuition grant program starting the next academic year. The law allows institutions to report disputes to the attorney general, who can suspend grant access if violations aren't resolved within 30 days.

Topics ✗ Education

died · Iowa · House Mar 16, 2026

HF 2020: A bill for an act relating to hunter education requirements.

Iowa's HF 2020 updates hunter education requirements for people born after January 1, 1972, who need hunting licenses. It allows individuals to complete approved online courses instead of requiring in-person field days, though optional in-person sessions may still be offered. The bill also expands acceptable certifications to include those from the National Rifle Association and other nationally recognized organizations, in addition to courses from other states or countries meeting specific standards. These changes simplify access to hunter education while maintaining safety training requirements.

died · Iowa · House Mar 16, 2026

HF 2145: A bill for an act relating to the regulation of places and practices of worship by the governor.

HF 2145 prohibits the Iowa governor from closing, mandating restrictions on, or regulating places of worship during any emergency, including disaster declarations or public health crises. It directly affects all religious buildings in Iowa with an active congregation, ensuring they cannot be subject to executive orders under emergency powers. The bill explicitly defines "place of worship" as a building where a congregation regularly gathers for religious practice, blocking any governor-led restrictions during emergencies. This is a procedural measure limiting executive authority, not creating new regulations.

died · Iowa · House Mar 16, 2026

HF 2016: A bill for an act relating to requirements for proof of ownership of dogs and providing penalties.

HF 2016 requires owners of dogs over six months old to provide proof of ownership, such as a microchip, rabies tag, vet records, receipt, or documented history, to be recognized as the legal owner. Shelters must scan dogs for microchips upon intake and before adoption or transfer to locate owners. In ownership disputes, the person presenting valid proof is presumed to own the dog unless proven otherwise, and falsely claiming ownership is a misdemeanor punishable by up to 30 days in jail or a $855 fine. The bill does not change existing rabies vaccination requirements.

died · Iowa · House Mar 16, 2026

HF 2033: A bill for an act relating to the provision of accessible prescription-related measures for persons who are blind, have a visual impairment, or other print disability.

HF 2033 requires pharmacies in Iowa to provide free accessible prescription information (including labels, bag tags, and medical guides) in formats like braille or audio to people who are blind, visually impaired, or have other print disabilities. Pharmacies must offer this directly or refer patients to an accessible location within a reasonable distance, with information provided in a timely manner comparable to non-disabled patients. Health insurers must reimburse pharmacies through an enhanced dispensing fee, and the pharmacy board must publish an annual list of compliant pharmacies online. The law excludes institutional pharmacies (e.g., hospital pharmacies) and certain correctional or donation-based settings, with rules to be adopted by January 1, 2027, and a progress report due by January 2028.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

died · Iowa · House Mar 16, 2026

HF 2091: A bill for an act relating to fraudulent practices involving academic credentials and providing penalties.

HF 2091 prohibits falsely claiming to hold an academic degree or credentials for employment or personal gain. It defines this as a fraudulent practice, making it a class D felony punishable by up to five years in prison and fines between $1,025 and $10,245. The bill directly affects individuals who misrepresent their education to secure jobs or other benefits. Key provisions establish clear penalties for this specific type of fraud, aligning it with existing fraudulent practice laws under Iowa code.

Topics ✗ Criminal Justice

died · Iowa · House Mar 16, 2026

HF 2144: A bill for an act relating to the expungement of certain criminal history records of victims of human trafficking, and including penalties.

HF 2144 allows victims of human trafficking to petition courts to remove criminal records related to offenses committed while they were victims. It requires a sworn statement and official documentation (if available), waives all filing fees, and grants expungement if the court finds the offenses resulted from the victimization. Serious crimes like homicide, sexual abuse, kidnapping, and robbery are excluded from eligibility. Once granted, expunged records become confidential but remain accessible to law enforcement and for firearm background checks. This applies to records from arrests or charges, regardless of case outcome.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

died · Iowa · House Mar 16, 2026

HF 2125: A bill for an act relating to the use of the titles physician assistant and physician associate.

Iowa's HF 2125 changes the official title "physician assistant" to "physician associate" throughout all state laws, regulations, and administrative documents. The bill requires updating all references to the title by January 1, 2027, but explicitly states this change does not alter the scope of practice, rights, or responsibilities of licensed professionals. It allows current and future practitioners to use either title during a transition period and prohibits discrimination against those using "physician associate." The bill affects all state agencies, healthcare facilities, insurers, and entities interacting with licensed physician assistants.

died · Iowa · House Mar 16, 2026

HF 2191: A bill for an act relating to elections for school district and city officers and bonds, and including applicability provisions.

HF 2191 changes the timing of school district and city elections in Iowa, moving them from odd-numbered year November elections to even-numbered year November elections - aligning them with statewide general elections. It also adds the first Tuesday after the first Monday in June as an option for bond elections. Current officials serving on July 1, 2026, with terms ending in January of an even year will serve until the following January and be eligible for reelection in the November before their term expires. The bill applies to regular elections held after November 2, 2027.

Bill results