SF 380 prohibits noncompete agreements for nurses in Iowa, directly affecting registered nurses and advanced registered nurse practitioners. It makes noncompete clauses void if a nurse earns under 150% of the minimum wage, and requires employers to prove such agreements are narrowly tailored to prevent unfair competition for higher-earning nurses. Violations entitle nurses to recover lost wages, attorney fees, and up to triple damages for willful violations, with employers facing $5,000 fines per violation. The law applies to agreements entered into on or after its effective date.
This bill removes the pharmaceutical form of psilocybin (specifically COMP 360, a crystalline polymorph) from Iowa's Schedule I list of controlled substances once approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). It would make it legal to prescribe, distribute, and market this FDA-approved pharmaceutical version, but only after federal rescheduling under the Controlled Substances Act. The bill does not affect natural psilocybin or other forms of the substance, which remain illegal under current law. It directly impacts medical providers and pharmaceutical companies seeking to offer this specific FDA-approved treatment.
HF 588 prohibits the sale, distribution, and use of consumer products containing PFAS chemicals (perfluoroalkyl or polyfluoroalkyl substances) starting January 1, 2026. It specifically targets food packaging, Class B fire fighting foam, and fire fighting personal protective equipment, with exceptions for products purchased before 2026 or required by federal law. The law applies to manufacturers, retailers, and distributors within Iowa, imposing penalties for violations after the effective date. Additional provisions address products like mattresses, air care items, and automotive maintenance products, but the core restrictions focus on the three primary categories.
HF 660 requires Iowa's Medicaid program to cover dental treatment for children with specific genetic dental conditions under the "Dental Wellness Plan Kids." It directly affects Medicaid-eligible children in Iowa diagnosed with conditions like cleft lip/palate, missing teeth (anodontia/hypodontia), enamel defects (amelogenesis imperfecta), or other genetic mouth abnormalities causing oral health issues. The bill defines covered "congenital dental abnormalities" to include conditions such as supernumerary teeth, misaligned bites (malocclusion), and gum diseases originating from genetic factors. The Department of Health and Human Services must implement this coverage requirement within the existing Medicaid dental plan.
SSB 1146 (now renumbered as SF 470) establishes new rules for dental insurance in Iowa, affecting dental providers, insurance companies (dental carriers), and patients. It requires dental carriers to reimburse providers for services approved via prior authorization (with exceptions like exceeded benefit limits or documentation issues), and mandates that carriers notify providers if a patient's plan is state-regulated - via online portals or "state-regulated" labels on ID cards starting in 2025. The bill also limits dental carriers' ability to recover overpayments, requiring written notice within 365 days of payment and providing providers with appeal options for disputed claims. These changes aim to clarify billing processes and ensure transparency in dental coverage.
HF 664 allows nursing home residents or their representatives (such as family members or legal guardians) to use electronic monitoring devices (like cameras) in their rooms, with strict consent requirements. Residents must provide written consent or have their representative consent if they lack capacity, and roommates in shared rooms must also consent in writing. If a roommate objects, the facility must try to move one resident to an available shared room (with the resident paying a private room rate if they choose a private space). The bill requires facilities to document consent and allows residents to withdraw consent or adjust monitoring conditions at any time.
SF 272 requires public employers in Iowa to provide cancer screening exams for full-time firefighters, police officers, and emergency medical services (EMS) providers within three years of hire and every three years thereafter. The state will reimburse political subdivisions up to $1,250 per employee per three-year period for these screenings, with no out-of-pocket costs for eligible workers. The bill also expands the definition of "cancer" in retirement systems to include all cancer diagnoses, ensuring broader eligibility for accidental disability and death benefits under the Public Safety Peace Officers' Retirement System (PORS) and Municipal Fire and Police Retirement System (411 System). It appropriates $1 million from the state general fund for FY 2025-2026 to cover these reimbursement costs.
HF 686 requires Iowa employers to provide employees with at least 10 days of paid medical leave each year for health conditions affecting the employee, their child, parent, or spouse. Leave pay must equal the employee's regular earnings, calculated based on their typical pay period, with specific rules for variable income. Employers may request advance notice for foreseeable leave and written documentation from a healthcare provider within one week of returning from leave, consistent with privacy laws. The bill is enforced by Iowa's Department of Inspections, Appeals, and Licensing under existing labor laws.
This bill increases Iowa's personal needs allowance for residents in specific long-term care facilities from $50 to $65 per month. It directly affects individuals living in nursing facilities, intermediate care facilities for people with intellectual/mental disabilities, or psychiatric medical institutions for children. The allowance helps cover personal expenses not covered by medical assistance, with the state providing supplements to residents earning under $65 monthly. Starting July 1, 2026, the allowance will automatically adjust annually based on the federal consumer price index to keep pace with inflation.
HF 725 establishes a program to provide grants for EMT training to small rural police departments (serving ≤10,000 people) and volunteer fire departments (serving ≤10,000 people) in Iowa. It creates a state fund with up to $250,000 annually from 2025-2029 to cover training costs like tuition, equipment, and certification fees, requiring applicants to demonstrate need and commit to deploying trained personnel. Grantees must submit annual reports on personnel trained, response time improvements, and implementation challenges. The program, administered by the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services, ends July 1, 2029.
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Emergency Management
Public Safety
