SF 232 appropriates $1 million from Iowa's general fund for fiscal year 2025-2026 to support the Double Up Food Bucks program. This funding will be granted to the Iowa Healthiest State Initiative to expand access to fresh produce for eligible residents. The program directly helps Iowa households receiving federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits by providing matching funds to buy fruits and vegetables at participating farmers markets and grocery stores. The bill enables continued operation of this specific nutrition assistance mechanism without altering SNAP eligibility or benefits.
HF 338 removes a prohibition in Iowa law that previously prevented the dental board from creating rules allowing registered dental assistants to administer local anesthesia. The bill directly affects dental assistants who complete required training and the Iowa dental board, which would now have the authority to establish rules for this expanded practice. Key provisions eliminate the specific language blocking the board from delegating local anesthesia administration, though it does not automatically grant this authority - it requires the board to adopt new rules first. The bill is currently pending in the Health and Human Services committee after introduction on February 12, 2025.
HF 351 removes psilocybin and psilocin from Iowa's Schedule I controlled substances list under the state's Uniform Controlled Substances Act. This change would reclassify these substances, meaning they would no longer be legally classified as having "high potential for abuse" with "no accepted medical use" under Iowa law. The bill directly affects individuals in Iowa who currently face legal restrictions related to these substances, including potential users and researchers. The key mechanism is amending the statute to delete psilocybin and psilocin from the Schedule I listing, altering their legal status without specifying a new classification. This is a direct policy change to the state's drug scheduling framework.
This bill creates a physician assistant (PA) licensure compact, allowing PAs licensed in one participating state to practice in other participating states without obtaining a new license. It requires PAs to follow the laws of the state where the patient is located during care, and establishes a "compact privilege" for out-of-state PAs. The compact specifically helps military families by enabling active-duty personnel and spouses to use their home-state license in other compact states. Participating states must maintain criminal background checks, share disciplinary actions, and follow uniform standards to protect patient safety.
HSB 160 requires Iowa physicians to discuss specific risks and alternatives before prescribing opioid pain medications for acute or chronic pain, both for the initial prescription and the third prescription in a treatment course. Doctors must cover addiction risks, dangers of mixing opioids with alcohol/benzodiazepines, necessity of the prescription, and alternative treatments, then document this discussion in the patient’s medical record. The law excludes prescriptions for terminal illness comfort care (like hospice) or medications treating substance use disorders. It directly affects physicians prescribing opioids and their patients, aiming to improve informed consent around high-risk medications. The bill amends existing medical practice standards to mandate these patient discussions.
SF 111 requires Iowa schools to ensure staff are trained to assist students with epilepsy or seizure disorders. Starting in the 2025-2026 school year, each school must have at least one trained employee (or full-time school nurse) capable of administering approved seizure medications or medical devices. Schools must provide all staff with seizure recognition and first aid training by December 2026, and obtain annual parent authorization for medication administration. The bill also mandates seizure action plans for affected students and provides liability protection for school staff acting in good faith under these plans. These requirements apply only to schools with students diagnosed with epilepsy or currently taking FDA-approved seizure medication.
This bill regulates pharmacy benefits managers (PBMs) to increase transparency and fairness in prescription drug pricing. It prohibits PBMs from using "spread pricing" (charging insurers more than they pay pharmacies) and requires rebates from drugmakers to reduce patient out-of-pocket costs at the point of sale. The bill also bans PBMs from restricting patient choice of pharmacy, imposing unreasonable credentialing requirements, or limiting access to specialty drugs. These provisions directly affect PBMs, pharmacies, and patients by ensuring fair reimbursement and cost-sharing practices for prescription drugs.
This bill establishes Iowa's participation in the Respiratory Care Interstate Compact, allowing licensed respiratory therapists from member states to practice across state lines without obtaining separate licenses in each state. It directly affects respiratory therapists seeking to work in multiple states and patients in those states by improving access to care through streamlined licensing. Key provisions include preserving each state's regulatory authority over licensing, creating a "compact privilege" for therapists to practice where patients are located, and supporting military families relocating between member states. The compact aims to address workforce shortages and reduce administrative burdens for both therapists and states.
This bill creates a $500 tax credit per clinical preceptorship for advanced registered nurse practitioners (ARNPs) who mentor nursing students without pay. It directly affects licensed ARNPs employed at clinical sites who provide at least 100 hours of unpaid supervision during a student’s required clinical training. The credit is capped at $2,000 annually per preceptor and requires documentation of student details, dates, and graduation year. The credit applies against individual income tax for tax years starting January 1, 2026, and excess credit is not refundable or carry-forwardable.
This bill establishes a dietitian licensure compact, allowing licensed dietitians in Iowa to practice across participating states without obtaining separate licenses in each. It creates a "compact privilege" equivalent to a state license, enabling dietitians to provide services (including telehealth) in remote states while preserving each state's regulatory authority over public health and safety. The compact requires member states to share license, disciplinary, and continuing education information through a centralized data system, reducing administrative burdens for professionals and states. It specifically supports military members and spouses relocating by streamlining licensure across state lines.
