HF 2297 requires Iowa's building code commissioner to adopt a state requirement that new single-family or two-family residential construction include passive radon gas mitigation systems. Specifically, it mandates using methods listed in Appendix AF of the 2021 International Residential Code for all new homes starting after the rule is adopted. This directly affects residential builders and developers constructing new single or two-family homes in Iowa. The bill focuses on preventive measures during construction, rather than retrofitting existing homes, to reduce radon exposure risks. It does not apply to renovations or existing buildings.
HF 2515 modifies Iowa's sentencing rules for individuals convicted of violating Section 728.12, which prohibits sexual exploitation of minors. The bill specifically removes the option for deferred or suspended sentences in these cases, requiring offenders to serve actual prison time instead of having sentences postponed or reduced. This change directly affects anyone found guilty under Section 728.12, mandating immediate incarceration for this specific offense. The bill passed unanimously in the Iowa House on March 4, 2026, and now awaits action in the Senate.
HF 2585 requires Iowa pharmacies to provide accessible prescription information - including drug labels, bag tags, and medical guides - in formats like audio or large print at no extra cost to people who are blind, visually impaired, or have print disabilities. Pharmacies must offer this by January 1, 2027, or refer customers to pharmacies that do, ensuring information is accessible in a timely manner comparable to sighted customers. Each year by April 1, the state pharmacy board must publish an online list of participating pharmacies. The law excludes institutional pharmacies (e.g., in hospitals), donation program pharmacies, and correctional facility pharmacies from these requirements.
This bill requires school districts, charter schools, and accredited nonpublic schools to adopt policies that exempt student absences for 4-H club or FFA activities from unexcused absence records. The policies must also allow students to make up any missed classwork due to these absences. It applies directly to all covered schools in Iowa, ensuring consistent treatment for students participating in these agricultural education programs. The requirement standardizes how schools handle absences related to 4-H and FFA activities without penalizing student participation.
HF 2615 sets minimum season lengths for horse racing in Iowa: thoroughbred seasons must be at least 67 days, and quarter horse seasons at least 26 days. It requires thoroughbred and quarter horse racing seasons to run separately with no overlapping dates - races for one breed cannot occur on the same day, and one season must end before the other begins - unless racing associations and Polk County’s racetrack licensee agree in writing. The bill responds to a recent commission interpretation that allowed overlapping races without such agreement. This directly affects thoroughbred and quarter horse racing associations and the Polk County racetrack licensee.
SF 2088 updates Iowa's motor vehicle regulations, primarily affecting drivers, the Iowa Department of Transportation, and law enforcement. It clarifies definitions of "driver's license" to explicitly include chauffeur's instruction and commercial learner's permits, adjusts fees for these permits (e.g., $12 for chauffeur's instruction permits), and modifies license expiration rules based on age. The bill also requires accident reports for certain collisions to be submitted electronically within 72 hours, with specific confidentiality rules and a $4 fee for copies requested by involved parties or insurers. These changes streamline registration processes, standardize permit classifications, and modernize accident reporting procedures.
HF 917 grants legal immunity to Iowa motocross facilities for injuries or deaths caused by the inherent risks of motocross activities, such as weather hazards, operator error, or natural events. It prohibits lawsuits against facility operators for these risks but allows claims if a facility intentionally harmed a participant, acted negligently in safety, provided unsafe equipment, or failed to exercise reasonable care. All facilities must post clear warning signs about this immunity. The bill applies to current and future incidents at motocross facilities but does not affect employer-employee claims under Chapter 87 or past cases.
HF 571, the "Medical Ethics Defense Act," protects medical practitioners, healthcare institutions, and health care payors from discrimination when refusing to provide or cover specific services based on conscience (e.g., religious or ethical beliefs). It prohibits adverse actions like termination or penalties for such refusals, requires health care payors to cover services they’re contractually obligated to pay for, and grants immunity from liability for good-faith conscience-based decisions. The bill also shields whistleblowers who report violations related to conscience protections or ethical violations to authorities like the attorney general or federal agencies. It explicitly does not override requirements for emergency care under federal law.
HF 960 expands Iowa's sales tax exemption to cover all purchases of central office or transmission equipment used by telecom companies providing commercial services, removing the prior requirement that such equipment be "primarily" used for those services. It directly affects local carriers, cable operators, municipal utilities, cooperatives, and other telecom providers that offer commercial telecommunications services. The key change broadens the existing tax exemption to include all qualifying equipment purchases, meaning these businesses will pay no sales tax on such equipment (and no use tax under Iowa law). This policy change simplifies the exemption without adding new regulations or costs to the state.
SF 472 establishes new procedures for retention and recertification elections for public employee collective bargaining units, affecting public employers and their employees. It requires the employment appeal board to issue a notice before an election and mandates public employers to submit a list of eligible employees within ten days. The bill makes it unlawful for public employers to fail to provide this list and requires the board to publicly identify those who have not complied. Iowa residents are authorized to petition district courts to compel non-compliant public employers to submit the required employee lists. The board must also extend election timelines as needed to resolve any legal challenges related to list submission.
HF 1036 aims to combat human trafficking by implementing several measures, primarily affecting child victims and those involved in the justice and social services systems. It mandates standardized screening for commercial sexual exploitation for children in certain court and child abuse cases and directs the Department of Health and Human Services to plan for increased restoration facilities for juvenile victims. The bill also extends the civil statute of limitations for actions related to child sexual abuse or human trafficking to five years after reaching majority or discovery. Additionally, it prevents the prosecution of minors under 18 who are victims of commercial sexual exploitation, instead referring them to protective services, and establishes an annual stakeholder meeting to develop legislative proposals.
Senate File 304 amends existing law concerning a minor's ability to consent to medical care related to sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). Currently, minors can independently consent to medical care or services for the prevention, diagnosis, or treatment of STDs. This bill introduces a specific exception to that provision. Under SF 304, a minor will no longer have the legal capacity to consent to the provision of a vaccination for a sexually transmitted disease or infection without the consent of another person, such as a parent or guardian.
