This bill requires all passengers aged 18 and older in Iowa motor vehicles (except motorcycles and motorized bicycles) to wear a properly fastened seat belt or safety harness while the vehicle is moving. It expands the current law, which only applied to front seat occupants, to cover all adult passengers. Key exemptions include emergency vehicle passengers (except drivers), workers in vehicles moving under 25 mph, and those with disabilities using collapsible wheelchairs. Violations carry a $70 fine, and the bill removes an existing exemption allowing back-seat children to skip restraints if belts are occupied.
SF 2129 clarifies disclosure rules for psychological test data in Iowa. It defines "test data" as raw scores, client responses, and psychologist notes (from the APA code), and "test materials" as actual test questions or manuals. The bill allows individuals to request their test data be shared with a designated licensed psychologist, but prohibits disclosing the original test materials unless redacted from the data. This directly affects patients undergoing psychological testing and licensed psychologists who may receive such records. The law does not change current restrictions on disclosing test materials themselves.
HF 2196 requires proxy advisors (firms providing voting recommendations to shareholders) to disclose whether their voting advice or default recommendations are based on a financial analysis. If not based on analysis, advisors must clearly state this to shareholders and companies; if based on analysis, they must provide the analysis upon request. The bill applies to advisors working with Iowa-based companies or companies with Iowa operations, focusing on transparency around voting recommendations. It takes effect July 1, 2026, and does not change voting rules but mandates clearer disclosure of recommendation methods.
HF 2211 requires Iowa public school districts to allow students enrolled in nonpublic schools to join public school show choir or marching band if those activities are offered by the public school but not by the nonpublic school. This applies to students living within the public school district or in a neighboring district, based on agreements between school districts and nonpublic schools. Nonpublic school students participating under this bill must pay the same fee as public school students, with no higher fees allowed. The law takes effect immediately upon enactment.
This bill requires original farm equipment manufacturers to provide farm equipment owners (including lessees and licensees) with diagnostic and repair information, replacement parts, and diagnostic tools for diesel exhaust fluid (DEF) systems on the same terms and conditions as they offer to authorized repair providers. It ensures owners access these resources without extra cost, prohibits manufacturers from charging owners more for information sold to authorized providers at better rates, and voids agreement clauses that waive these rights. The bill does not compel manufacturers to disclose trade secrets or override all existing agreements. Enforcement falls to the attorney general, with penalties for violations.
SSB 3115 requires physicians performing abortions to conduct in-person exams screening for coercion before procedures and obtain specific written patient consent about risks of abortion-inducing drugs (like mifepristone and misoprostol). It mandates doctors to inform patients about gestational risks, potential complications (such as hemorrhage or incomplete abortion), follow-up care requirements, and information on reversing chemical abortions. The bill also requires the health department to publish reversal resources online and establishes reporting standards for complications like infection or retained tissue. This bill directly affects physicians, health care providers dispensing abortion drugs, and patients seeking medication abortions in Iowa.
This Iowa bill makes gold and silver coins (defined as "specie") legal tender for transactions within the state, meaning residents can use them to pay for goods or services. Businesses are not required to accept specie, but the bill mandates the state treasurer to establish secure storage facilities ("bullion depositories") for gold/silver and authorize electronic payment systems to process transactions using "transactional gold and silver" (fractional amounts held in depositories). It exempts all specie transactions from state taxes, requires full insurance for deposits, and prohibits using these systems for surveillance or social credit scoring. The treasurer must report annually on depository operations and the economic impact of the policy.
This bill (SF 2172) allows couples applying for a marriage license in Iowa to voluntarily waive the option of "no-fault divorce" based solely on a breakdown of the marriage relationship. If they sign this waiver at the time of license application, they must later prove specific fault-based grounds - such as adultery, felony conviction, abandonment, abuse, or two years of separate living - to obtain a divorce. The waiver is presumed valid unless proven invalid through fraud, duress, or coercion. It affects couples who choose this path, replacing the standard no-fault dissolution process with these specified fault grounds.
SF 2217 requires lenders in Iowa to clearly inform borrowers in writing that purchasing an auto club membership or vehicle warranty is optional and won’t affect loan approval. If offered, borrowers must be allowed to pay for these items either with non-loan funds or include the cost in their loan. Borrowers also gain the right to cancel within 30 days for a full refund if they haven’t used any services. This bill directly affects lenders who sell these products alongside loans and protects borrowers from being pressured into unnecessary purchases.
This bill changes Iowa's definition of "beverage" for container deposit purposes. It adds nonalcoholic drinks like noncarbonated water and all nonalcoholic carbonated or noncarbonated beverages (excluding unflavored rice milk, soy milk, milk, and dairy products) to the list covered by deposit laws. The new definition applies to beverage containers starting July 1, 2027. This affects which drinks require a deposit when purchased in containers.
HF 2354 creates a new "alcoholic liquor direct shipper license" allowing alcohol manufacturers to ship directly to Iowa residents aged 21+ for personal use. Manufacturers producing under 150,000 proof gallons annually may ship unlimited quantities per person, while larger producers are limited to 9 liters per person yearly. The bill requires a $25 license fee, registration of products with Iowa, clear labeling stating "SIGNATURE OF PERSON AGE 21 OR OLDER REQUIRED," and remittance of 50% of wholesale prices to the state. It directly affects alcohol manufacturers seeking to sell directly and Iowa consumers purchasing such shipments.
This bill (HSB 695) allows Iowa pharmacists to dispense FDA-approved self-administered hormonal contraceptives (like pills, rings, or patches) to patients aged 18+ without a doctor’s prescription, under a standing order from the Department of Health. Pharmacists must complete training, conduct health screenings (blood pressure, risk assessment), and provide patient education on use, side effects, and follow-up care. It requires pharmacists to limit initial supplies to three months (up to twelve months after), refer patients needing medical care, and maintain records. The bill also mandates insurance coverage for these contraceptives without exclusion, aligning with FDA-approved methods and excluding abortion-inducing drugs.
