HF 990 establishes a licensing process for medical cannabidiol (CBD) dispensaries in Iowa. The bill requires the state department to issue requests for proposals and license up to five dispensaries (with potential for up to ten) by April 1, 2018, and renew licenses by December 1 each year. It directly affects businesses seeking to operate medical CBD dispensaries by setting caps on the number of licenses and defining the application timeline. The key provision is the structured annual licensing system to regulate the distribution of medical CBD products within the state.
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 648 allows dentists in Iowa to obtain a "licensed sedation provider host permit" to employ qualified sedation providers during dental procedures. To qualify, dentists must complete a board-approved course covering patient assessment, emergency response, and sedation management; meet facility/equipment standards; and hold advanced cardiac life support certification. A permitted dentist may then employ licensed physicians, anesthesiologists, or nurse anesthetists to administer moderate sedation to patients aged 13 or older during outpatient dental care, while monitoring patient safety. The Iowa Dental Board will annually review and approve sedation training courses to ensure they meet specific educational standards before issuing permits.
This bill expands an existing Iowa state tax credit to include volunteer ambulance drivers, who were previously excluded from the benefit available to certified first responders. By amending the definition of "emergency medical services personnel," the legislation allows these volunteer drivers to claim a $250 tax credit for their services. The change applies retroactively to tax years beginning on or after January 1, 2026, ensuring that eligible individuals can claim the credit for past years.
This bill establishes ongoing state funding for pediatric cancer research at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics. Beginning in fiscal year 2026, the state will allocate one dollar per resident annually to the State Board of Regents, with a maximum cap of three million dollars per year. The funds are restricted specifically to laboratory research and clinical trials, prohibiting their use for administrative overhead or unrelated activities. Additionally, the State Board of Regents must submit an annual report to the governor and the General Assembly detailing how the money was spent.
HF 978 establishes a regulatory framework for the production and administration of psilocybin in Iowa. It permits the recommendation, possession, use, and dispensing of psilocybin by registered "qualified medical psilocybin providers" and "qualified therapy providers" for patients. The bill defines various roles, facilities like cultivation and testing laboratories, and the process of psilocybin administration. It mandates that psilocybin production establishments and therapy providers maintain a real-time, video-monitored inventory control system to track psilocybin products. The Department of Health and Human Services is responsible for registering providers and adopting rules to implement these systems.
This bill establishes the Iowa Rural Health Transformation Fund within the Department of Health and Human Services to manage federal funding received from the federal Rural Health Transformation Program. The fund will be used exclusively for purposes authorized by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, with interest and earnings remaining in the fund rather than reverting to the general state budget. The Department of Health and Human Services must report quarterly spending details to the General Assembly, including specific city locations where funds are used, and share all federal program reports with the legislature. The fund and its associated provisions will automatically expire on October 1, 2032.
HF 2716 requests federal waivers to improve administration of Iowa's SNAP (supplemental nutrition), medical assistance, and WIC programs. It would require quarterly error rate reports for SNAP starting in 2026, allow exclusion of income for minors in school from household calculations, permit use of automated data (like unemployment records) for verification, and modify how payment errors are reported. The bill also adjusts medical assistance rules to disregard certain income for disabled individuals under 65 and mandates error rate reporting for medical programs. These changes aim to streamline eligibility processing and reporting for federal public assistance programs under Iowa's Department of Health and Human Services.
HF 385 requires hospitals and facilities treating involuntarily committed mental health patients in Iowa to implement specific discharge protocols. Before releasing a patient, facilities must refer them to an administrative services organization, assess suicide risk, provide a 15-day supply of prescribed medications (with reimbursement options if not covered), and create a detailed discharge report including care plans, medication lists, and appointment details. This bill directly affects hospitals, patients under involuntary commitment, and administrative services organizations responsible for coordinating post-discharge care. The law also mandates quarterly reports from these organizations to the state department and requires facilities to notify courts of discharges for confirmation.
HF 2649, the "REACH Act," creates a pilot program allowing eligible Iowa community colleges to offer bachelor's degrees in specific high-demand fields like nursing, IT, and education. To qualify, colleges must be at least 50 miles from existing bachelor's programs and limit offerings to three degrees per institution, with upper-level courses taught on campus (not online). The bill requires annual reporting on enrollment, student outcomes, and workforce alignment to the state education department and legislature. It directly affects community colleges in rural or underserved areas seeking to expand local higher education options without replacing university programs.
