Legislative Updates

House and Senate GOP Choose Chamber Leaders

House and Senate Republicans met today to elect leaders for the upcoming 90th session of the Iowa Legislature.

In the House, Representative Pat Grassley was chosen to again serve as Speaker of the House and Representative Matt Windschitl will continue as Majority Leader.

Senator Jack Whitver will continue to serve as that chamber’s Majority Leader.  Senator Amy Sinclair was chosen by the members of her caucus to serve as Senate President.

With Senator Sinclair taking over as Senate President, a new Chair for that chamber’s Education Committee will soon be appointed.

Iowa House and Senate Majority Parties Remain Unchanged

With a statewide turnout of nearly 55-percent of registered voters, the makeup of the Iowa Legislature has been set, for the most part, for the upcoming 2023 Session of the General Assembly with the Republicans remaining in the majority in both the House and Senate.

We say “for the most part” because of problems counting absentee votes in Des Moines County.  The Burlington Hawkeye reports that a recount of the absentee ballots cast in the county will take place either later this week or early next week.

The results of the contest for House District 99, which includes the city of Burlington, will not be known until the recount takes place.  This race pits the longest tenured state lawmaker, Democrat Representative Dennis Cohoon, against GOP challenger Matt Rinker. Currently Rinker leads Cohoon by 770 votes.

In a rematch of House candidates from 2020, Democrat Heather Matson topped incumbent Republican Garrett Gobble by 24 votes in District 42 which is made up mostly of Ankney.

Incumbent Democrat Phyllis Thede was defeated by GOP newcomer Mike Vondren in House District 94, which includes portions of Davenport and Bettendorf, while Sioux City incumbent Democrat Steve Hansen was knocked off by Republican Robert Henderson.

In the Senate, redistricting pitted an incumbent against an incumbent in two new districts..

Democrat Sarah Trone Garriott defeated Republican Jake Chapman by over 800 votes in a battle for the new Senate District 14 in west suburban Des Moines.

In Eastern Iowa, Republican Dawn Driscoll topped Democrat Kevin Kinney by more than 2000 votes.

Also, Sioux City incumbent Democrat Senator Jackie Smith lost her reelection bid to Republican challenger Rocky De Witt by over 1400 votes.

Reynolds Re-Elected Governor

Incumbent Governor Kim Reynolds easily won reelection over Democrat challenger Deidre DeJear.  Reynolds’ margin of victory was well over 200,000 votes.

2023 Iowa Legislative Session Timetable

The 90th Session of the Iowa General Assembly is set to begin on Monday, January 9 and run for 110 days. 

Below are the key procedural dates that guide the flow of the legislative session:

January 9 - First day of the session

February 10 - Last day for individual lawmaker bill requests to be made.

March 3 - First “funnel” - This is the date by which a bill must be approved by a standing committee of its house of origin to remain eligible for further consideration that year. Appropriations, Ways and Means and Government Oversight committee bills are the exceptions to the “funnel” rules, as they are exempt from procedural deadlines.

March 31 - Second “funnel” - This is the date by which a bill has to be approved by a committee in the opposite chamber - meaning a House File must be approved by a Senate committee and a Senate File by a House committee to remain eligible for further consideration this year.

Appropriations, Ways and Means and Government Oversight committee bills are the exceptions to the “funnel” rules, as they are exempt from procedural deadlines.

April 28 - the 110th calendar day of the session

“THAW” BRINGS BUDGET AGREEMENTS - SESSION END NEAR

The icy relationship between the Senate and House has begun to thaw, and an end to the 2022 Session of the Iowa Legislature is appearing on the near horizon.

This past Wednesday the Senate Appropriations Committee met and approved the House and Senate negotiated spending agreements for most of the nine budget bills.

Both chambers plan to reconvene this upcoming Monday, with the goal of concluding the 2022 Session of the Iowa Legislature by the end of that week.

ED SPENDING AGREEMENT LINE ITEMS REVEALED

The Senate/House Education Appropriation spending agreement, unveiled during Senate budget committee deliberations, includes the following appropriations of interest:

$520,000 - Non-prescribing MH practitioner loan repayment program (new)

$3.183 million - Children's Mental Health School-Based Training & Support Program

It is important to note that the policy pieces in the House version of the Education spending bill were not addressed by the Senate Appropriations Committee.

HHS BUDGET AGREEMENT NEAR

The remaining Health and Human Services budget issues of disagreement between the House of Representatives and the Senate are being negotiated.

A draft of the spending and policy compromise is expected late today or early next week.

We will keep you updated.

Bills of Interest:

(HF - House File, HSB - House Study Bill, SF - Senate File, SSB - Senate Study Bill)

SF 2369 (formerly SF 2349 and SSB 3080) - Governor’s School Omnibus (M) - Included in this 20-page bill are provision that establish a student first scholarship program and a student first enrollment supplement fund; require the boards of directors of school districts to publish certain specified information regarding curriculum; as well as modifying provisions related to required social studies instruction, open enrollment, teacher librarian endorsements, competent private instruction, and special education.

Approved by the Senate 31-18. Referred to House Appropriations

SF 2195 (formerly SSB 3003) - Mental Health Professional Loan Program (F) - This bill establishes the mental health professional loan repayment program within the college student aid commission. The bill provides that the commission is to administer the mental health professional loan repayment program for purposes of providing loan repayments for mental health professionals who agree to practice in an eligible practice area.

The bill limits the annual amount of loan repayment a mental health professional may receive to $8,000 for an eligible loan. The bill provides that the total loan repayments from the commission to a mental health professional shall not exceed $40,000.

“Mental health professional” means a non prescribing individual who holds at least a master’s degree from an eligible institution in a mental health field, including  psychology, counseling and guidance, social work, marriage and family therapy, or mental health counseling.

On Senate debate calendar

HF 2578 - Health and Human Services Appropriations (F) - Included in this 79-page bill is the requirement that the DHS to submit a Medicaid state plan amendment to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services to request the addition of functional family therapy and multisystemic therapy for youth as covered services under the Medicaid program. The Department will include functional family therapy and multisystemic therapy under the Medicaid program as covered services upon receipt of federal approval.  The bill also includes a $200,000 appropriation for the provision of this therapy;

The bill also prohibits health carriers from excluding out-of-state health care professionals who provide services for mental health conditions, illnesses, injuries, or diseases from participating as providers via telehealth, under a policy, plan, or contract offered by the health carrier if the professional is licensed in Iowa,  is able to deliver health care services for mental health via telehealth and is able to satisfy the same criteria that the carrier uses to qualify in-state professionals, who hold the same license as the out-of-state professional, as providers.

Also in the bill $7.4 million is appropriated for the reduction of the HCBS waiver waiting list for individuals with intellectual disabilities.

Approved by the House 60-35. On the Senate debate calendar.

HF 2575 - Education Appropriations (F) - Included in this spending bill for fiscal year 2023 are two provisions of interest; 1) $1.5 M for the Mental Health Professional Loan Repayment Program; and 2) $3,183,936 for the continuation of the Children’s Mental Health School-Based Training and Support program

Approved by the House 58-36.  On the Senate debate calendar.

 

HF 2567 (formerly HF 2505 and HSB 702) - Mandatory Reporters/School Employee Investigations (M) - The bill requires the Department of Education to develop and implement a process for the reporting and investigation of any incident that arises which may reasonably lead to the conclusion that a licensed practitioner employed by the board of directors of a school district or the authorities in charge of an accredited nonpublic school has violated any law. The bill establishes that the process requires the creation of a committee to investigate these incidents. The bill requires the committee to meet to evaluate the incident and determine whether the licensed practitioner should be placed on administrative leave during the investigation.

Approved by the House 93-0. Senate subcommittee of Sinclair, Goodwin and Quirmbach

HF 2554 (formerly HF 2553 and HF 2310) - Functional Family Therapy (M) - This bill requires the department of human services to submit a Medicaid state plan amendment to include functional family therapy (FFT) and multisystemic therapy (MST) for youth as covered services under the Medicaid program. Both FFT and MST are evidence-based treatments for youth that address a youth’s home and environment to reduce problematic behavior and divert the youth from the juvenile justice system. The language of this bill is also included in HF 2578.

Passed the House 94-0.

HF 2549 (formerly HF 2137 and HSB 537) - MH Professional Loan Repayment Program (F) - This bill establishes a mental health professional loan repayment program. The bill requires the Iowa Student Aid Commission to establish a mental health professional loan repayment program for the purposes of providing loan repayments for mental health professionals who agree to practice in service commitment areas for at least five years and meet the requirements of the program. “Mental health professional” means an individual who holds at least a master’s degree from an eligible institution in a mental health field, including psychology, counseling and guidance, social work, marriage and family therapy, or mental health counseling. 

Approved by the House 94-2. Amended and approved by the Senate 44-0.

HF 2398 (formerly HSB 656) - Doctors or Masters BOEE One Time Licenses and Nonpublic School Background Checks (M) - The bill allows the Board of Educational Examiners to have no renewal requirements for a practitioner who has been employed as a practitioner for at least ten years and has a master’s or doctoral degree. The bill also requires nonpublic schools to utilize the Iowa courts online system, sex offender registry and child abuse registry for employee background checks.

Approved by House 99-0. On the Senate debate calendar.

HF 2298 (formerly HF 2040) - Covid Vaccination Not Required For School (A) - This bill prohibits requiring an immunization against COVID-19 for a person to be enrolled in any licensed child care center, elementary or secondary school, or postsecondary school in Iowa prior to July 1, 2029, notwithstanding whether a person’s attendance is in person or virtual.

Approved by the House 57-36. On the House debate calendar.

Approved by both the House and Senate:

HF 2416 (formerly HF 2309) - Athletic Participation (A) - The bill requires an college, junior college or interscholastic athletic team, sport,or athletic event that is sponsored or sanctioned by an accredited nonpublic school, school district, or athletic organization must be designated as females, women, or girls; males, men, or boys; or coeducational or mixed based on the sex at birth of the participating students. The bill also requires that only female students, based on their sex, may participate in any team, sport, or athletic event designated as being for females, women, or girls. The bill defines “sex” to mean a person’s biological sex as either female or male, and provides that the sex listed on the student’s official birth certificate or certificate issued upon adoption may be relied upon if the certificate was issued at or near the time of the student’s birth.

Approved by the House 55-39. Approved by the Senate 31-17. Signed into law by the Governor.

SF 2197 (formerly SF 168) - Nonpublic School Special Services (M) - The bill requires the Department of Education to convene and provide administrative support to the task force. The bill requires the task force to study and make recommendations regarding how to better serve students enrolled in nonpublic schools who receive special education services. The bill requires the task force to submit a report that includes findings and recommendations for policy changes to the General Assembly by December 1, 2022.

Approved by the Senate 46-0. Approved by the House 94-0. Signed into law.

NO LEGISLATIVE ACTIVITY THIS WEEK

The stalemate between the House and Senate and Governor continued for a third week at the Statehouse.

Both chambers did “gavel-in and gavel-out” on Monday and Thursday of this week, but did not conduct any business.

Some behind the scenes budget conversations are taking place between members of the Senate and House, but no formal talks have been reported.

We will keep you updated on the continuing Legislative impasse.

SENATE & HOUSE GIVE EACH OTHER THE COLD-SHOULDER

The stalemate between the Senate and House is now well into its second week, and there is no end in sight.

17 days have now passed since the scheduled conclusion of the current legislative session, back on April, 19. While the House has approved all the necessary budget bills (Ag and DNR, Infrastructure, Education, Health and Human Services, Justice Systems, etc) the Senate has yet to begin consideration of any of the spending legislation.

The two chambers are reportedly over $70 million apart, as the Senate is seeking to appropriate approximately $70 million less than the House.

Disagreement between the House and the Governor on the establishment of a school voucher program is also contributing to the impasse.

No word yet on when the legislature will return to the Statehouse to work toward an end to the 2022 Legislative Session.

Bills of Interest:

(HF - House File, HSB - House Study Bill, SF - Senate File, SSB - Senate Study Bill)

SF 2369 (formerly SF 2349 and SSB 3080) - Governor’s School Omnibus (M) - Included in this 20-page bill are provision that establish a student first scholarship program and a student first enrollment supplement fund; require the boards of directors of school districts to publish certain specified information regarding curriculum; as well as modifying provisions related to required social studies instruction, open enrollment, teacher librarian endorsements, competent private instruction, and special education.

Approved by the Senate 31-18. Referred to House Appropriations

SF 2195 (formerly SSB 3003) - Mental Health Professional Loan Program (F) - This bill establishes the mental health professional loan repayment program within the college student aid commission. The bill provides that the commission is to administer the mental health professional loan repayment program for purposes of providing loan repayments for mental health professionals who agree to practice in an eligible practice area.

The bill limits the annual amount of loan repayment a mental health professional may receive to $8,000 for an eligible loan. The bill provides that the total loan repayments from the commission to a mental health professional shall not exceed $40,000.

“Mental health professional” means a non prescribing individual who holds at least a master’s degree from an eligible institution in a mental health field, including  psychology, counseling and guidance, social work, marriage and family therapy, or mental health counseling.

On Senate debate calendar

HF 2578 - Health and Human Services Appropriations (F) - Included in this 79-page bill is the requirement that the DHS to submit a Medicaid state plan amendment to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services to request the addition of functional family therapy and multisystemic therapy for youth as covered services under the Medicaid program. The Department will include functional family therapy and multisystemic therapy under the Medicaid program as covered services upon receipt of federal approval.  The bill also includes a $200,000 appropriation for the provision of this therapy;

The bill also prohibits health carriers from excluding out-of-state health care professionals who provide services for mental health conditions, illnesses, injuries, or diseases from participating as providers via telehealth, under a policy, plan, or contract offered by the health carrier if the professional is licensed in Iowa,  is able to deliver health care services for mental health via telehealth and is able to satisfy the same criteria that the carrier uses to qualify in-state professionals, who hold the same license as the out-of-state professional, as providers.

Also in the bill $7.4 million is appropriated for the reduction of the HCBS waiver waiting list for individuals with intellectual disabilities.

Approved by the House 60-35. Referred to Senate Appropriations

HF 2575 - Education Appropriations (F) - Included in this spending bill for fiscal year 2023 are two provisions of interest; 1) $1.5 M for the Mental Health Professional Loan Repayment Program; and 2) $3,183,936 for the continuation of the Children’s Mental Health School-Based Training and Support program

Approved by the House 58-36.  Referred to the Senate Appropriations Committee.

 

HF 2567 (formerly HF 2505 and HSB 702) - Mandatory Reporters/School Employee Investigations (M) - The bill requires the Department of Education to develop and implement a process for the reporting and investigation of any incident that arises which may reasonably lead to the conclusion that a licensed practitioner employed by the board of directors of a school district or the authorities in charge of an accredited nonpublic school has violated any law. The bill establishes that the process requires the creation of a committee to investigate these incidents. The bill requires the committee to meet to evaluate the incident and determine whether the licensed practitioner should be placed on administrative leave during the investigation.

Approved by the House 93-0. Senate subcommittee of Sinclair, Goodwin and Quirmbach

HF 2554 (formerly HF 2553 and HF 2310) - Functional Family Therapy (M) - This bill requires the department of human services to submit a Medicaid state plan amendment to include functional family therapy (FFT) and multisystemic therapy (MST) for youth as covered services under the Medicaid program. Both FFT and MST are evidence-based treatments for youth that address a youth’s home and environment to reduce problematic behavior and divert the youth from the juvenile justice system. The language of this bill is also included in HF 2578.

Passed the House 94-0.

HF 2549 (formerly HF 2137 and HSB 537) - MH Professional Loan Repayment Program (F) - This bill establishes a mental health professional loan repayment program. The bill requires the Iowa Student Aid Commission to establish a mental health professional loan repayment program for the purposes of providing loan repayments for mental health professionals who agree to practice in service commitment areas for at least five years and meet the requirements of the program. “Mental health professional” means an individual who holds at least a master’s degree from an eligible institution in a mental health field, including psychology, counseling and guidance, social work, marriage and family therapy, or mental health counseling. 

Approved by the House 94-2. Amended and approved by the Senate 44-0.

HF 2398 (formerly HSB 656) - Doctors or Masters BOEE One Time Licenses and Nonpublic School Background Checks (M) - The bill allows the Board of Educational Examiners to have no renewal requirements for a practitioner who has been employed as a practitioner for at least ten years and has a master’s or doctoral degree. The bill also requires nonpublic schools to utilize the Iowa courts online system, sex offender registry and child abuse registry for employee background checks.

Approved by House 99-0. On the Senate debate calendar.

HF 2298 (formerly HF 2040) - Covid Vaccination Not Required For School (A) - This bill prohibits requiring an immunization against COVID-19 for a person to be enrolled in any licensed child care center, elementary or secondary school, or postsecondary school in Iowa prior to July 1, 2029, notwithstanding whether a person’s attendance is in person or virtual.

Approved by the House 57-36. On the House debate calendar.

Approved by both the House and Senate:

HF 2416 (formerly HF 2309) - Athletic Participation (A) - The bill requires an college, junior college or interscholastic athletic team, sport,or athletic event that is sponsored or sanctioned by an accredited nonpublic school, school district, or athletic organization must be designated as females, women, or girls; males, men, or boys; or coeducational or mixed based on the sex at birth of the participating students. The bill also requires that only female students, based on their sex, may participate in any team, sport, or athletic event designated as being for females, women, or girls. The bill defines “sex” to mean a person’s biological sex as either female or male, and provides that the sex listed on the student’s official birth certificate or certificate issued upon adoption may be relied upon if the certificate was issued at or near the time of the student’s birth.

Approved by the House 55-39. Approved by the Senate 31-17. Signed into law by the Governor.

SF 2197 (formerly SF 168) - Nonpublic School Special Services (M) - The bill requires the Department of Education to convene and provide administrative support to the task force. The bill requires the task force to study and make recommendations regarding how to better serve students enrolled in nonpublic schools who receive special education services. The bill requires the task force to submit a report that includes findings and recommendations for policy changes to the General Assembly by December 1, 2022.

Approved by the Senate 46-0. Approved by the House 94-0. Signed into law.

HOUSE AND SENATE FAR APART ON APPROPRIATIONS

The Senate and House are continuing their legislative standoff. Now both chambers are preparing to begin budget negotiations for fiscal year 2023.

The House has approved all the necessary budget bills (Ag and DNR, Infrastructure, Education, Health and Human Services, etc) but the Senate has yet to begin consideration of any of the spending legislation.

Lawmakers are indicating that the negotiations may be difficult, as the Senate is seeking to appropriate approximately $70 million less than the House.

We will keep you updated.

Bills of Interest:

(HF - House File, HSB - House Study Bill, SF - Senate File, SSB - Senate Study Bill)

SF 2369 (formerly SF 2349 and SSB 3080) - Governor’s School Omnibus (M) - Included in this 20-page bill are provision that establish a student first scholarship program and a student first enrollment supplement fund; require the boards of directors of school districts to publish certain specified information regarding curriculum; as well as modifying provisions related to required social studies instruction, open enrollment, teacher librarian endorsements, competent private instruction, and special education.

Approved by the Senate 31-18. Referred to House Appropriations

SF 2195 (formerly SSB 3003) - Mental Health Professional Loan Program (F) - This bill establishes the mental health professional loan repayment program within the college student aid commission. The bill provides that the commission is to administer the mental health professional loan repayment program for purposes of providing loan repayments for mental health professionals who agree to practice in an eligible practice area.

The bill limits the annual amount of loan repayment a mental health professional may receive to $8,000 for an eligible loan. The bill provides that the total loan repayments from the commission to a mental health professional shall not exceed $40,000.

“Mental health professional” means a non prescribing individual who holds at least a master’s degree from an eligible institution in a mental health field, including  psychology, counseling and guidance, social work, marriage and family therapy, or mental health counseling.

On Senate debate calendar

HF 2578 - Health and Human Services Appropriations (F) - Included in this 79-page bill is the requirement that the DHS to submit a Medicaid state plan amendment to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services to request the addition of functional family therapy and multisystemic therapy for youth as covered services under the Medicaid program. The Department will include functional family therapy and multisystemic therapy under the Medicaid program as covered services upon receipt of federal approval.  The bill also includes a $200,000 appropriation for the provision of this therapy;

The bill also prohibits health carriers from excluding out-of-state health care professionals who provide services for mental health conditions, illnesses, injuries, or diseases from participating as providers via telehealth, under a policy, plan, or contract offered by the health carrier if the professional is licensed in Iowa,  is able to deliver health care services for mental health via telehealth and is able to satisfy the same criteria that the carrier uses to qualify in-state professionals, who hold the same license as the out-of-state professional, as providers.

Also in the bill $7.4 million is appropriated for the reduction of the HCBS waiver waiting list for individuals with intellectual disabilities.

Approved by the House 60-35. Referred to Senate Appropriations

HF 2575 - Education Appropriations (F) - Included in this spending bill for fiscal year 2023 are two provisions of interest; 1) $1.5 M for the Mental Health Professional Loan Repayment Program; and 2) $3,183,936 for the continuation of the Children’s Mental Health School-Based Training and Support program

Approved by the House 58-36.  Referred to the Senate Appropriations Committee.

 

HF 2567 (formerly HF 2505 and HSB 702) - Mandatory Reporters/School Employee Investigations (M) - The bill requires the Department of Education to develop and implement a process for the reporting and investigation of any incident that arises which may reasonably lead to the conclusion that a licensed practitioner employed by the board of directors of a school district or the authorities in charge of an accredited nonpublic school has violated any law. The bill establishes that the process requires the creation of a committee to investigate these incidents. The bill requires the committee to meet to evaluate the incident and determine whether the licensed practitioner should be placed on administrative leave during the investigation.

Approved by the House 93-0. Senate subcommittee of Sinclair, Goodwin and Quirmbach

HF 2554 (formerly HF 2553 and HF 2310) - Functional Family Therapy (M) - This bill requires the department of human services to submit a Medicaid state plan amendment to include functional family therapy (FFT) and multisystemic therapy (MST) for youth as covered services under the Medicaid program. Both FFT and MST are evidence-based treatments for youth that address a youth’s home and environment to reduce problematic behavior and divert the youth from the juvenile justice system. The language of this bill is also included in HF 2578.

Passed the House 94-0.

HF 2549 (formerly HF 2137 and HSB 537) - MH Professional Loan Repayment Program (F) - This bill establishes a mental health professional loan repayment program. The bill requires the Iowa Student Aid Commission to establish a mental health professional loan repayment program for the purposes of providing loan repayments for mental health professionals who agree to practice in service commitment areas for at least five years and meet the requirements of the program. “Mental health professional” means an individual who holds at least a master’s degree from an eligible institution in a mental health field, including psychology, counseling and guidance, social work, marriage and family therapy, or mental health counseling. 

Approved by the House 94-2. Amended and approved by the Senate 44-0.

HF 2398 (formerly HSB 656) - Doctors or Masters BOEE One Time Licenses and Nonpublic School Background Checks (M) - The bill allows the Board of Educational Examiners to have no renewal requirements for a practitioner who has been employed as a practitioner for at least ten years and has a master’s or doctoral degree. The bill also requires nonpublic schools to utilize the Iowa courts online system, sex offender registry and child abuse registry for employee background checks.

Approved by House 99-0. On the Senate debate calendar.

HF 2298 (formerly HF 2040) - Covid Vaccination Not Required For School (A) - This bill prohibits requiring an immunization against COVID-19 for a person to be enrolled in any licensed child care center, elementary or secondary school, or postsecondary school in Iowa prior to July 1, 2029, notwithstanding whether a person’s attendance is in person or virtual.

Approved by the House 57-36. On the House debate calendar.

Approved by both the House and Senate:

HF 2416 (formerly HF 2309) - Athletic Participation (A) - The bill requires an college, junior college or interscholastic athletic team, sport,or athletic event that is sponsored or sanctioned by an accredited nonpublic school, school district, or athletic organization must be designated as females, women, or girls; males, men, or boys; or coeducational or mixed based on the sex at birth of the participating students. The bill also requires that only female students, based on their sex, may participate in any team, sport, or athletic event designated as being for females, women, or girls. The bill defines “sex” to mean a person’s biological sex as either female or male, and provides that the sex listed on the student’s official birth certificate or certificate issued upon adoption may be relied upon if the certificate was issued at or near the time of the student’s birth.

Approved by the House 55-39. Approved by the Senate 31-17. Signed into law by the Governor.

SF 2197 (formerly SF 168) - Nonpublic School Special Services (M) - The bill requires the Department of Education to convene and provide administrative support to the task force. The bill requires the task force to study and make recommendations regarding how to better serve students enrolled in nonpublic schools who receive special education services. The bill requires the task force to submit a report that includes findings and recommendations for policy changes to the General Assembly by December 1, 2022.

Approved by the Senate 46-0. Approved by the House 94-0. Signed into law.

SENATE AND HOUSE STILL FAR APART ON KEY PROPOSAL

The House and Senate remain at loggerheads over the issue of establishing a school voucher program in the state.

The voucher program is the centerpiece of Governor Reynolds’ education initiatives for the 2022 Legislative Session.

So far the Senate has approved the bill (SF 2369) that includes this program, but the House has not, and there is no indication that the chamber plans on considering the legislation.

This disagreement between the legislative chambers has brought budget negotiations to a standstill.

The per diem (expense) payments for lawmakers for the 2022 Legislative Session end on April 19th.

TELL HOUSE MEMBERS YOUR THOUGHTS ABOUT A VOUCHER PROPOSAL

As the House continues to assess its level of support for a school voucher program, it is important that you share your views on the proposal with members of the House of Representatives.

To find the House of Representatives members in your area, and their contact information, please visit the webpage below:

https://www.legis.iowa.gov/legislators/find

Bills of Interest:

(HF - House File, HSB - House Study Bill, SF - Senate File, SSB - Senate Study Bill)

SF 2369 (formerly SF 2349 and SSB 3080) - Governor’s School Omnibus (M) - Included in this 20-page bill are provision that establish a student first scholarship program and a student first enrollment supplement fund; require the boards of directors of school districts to publish certain specified information regarding curriculum; as well as modifying provisions related to required social studies instruction, open enrollment, teacher librarian endorsements, competent private instruction, and special education.

Approved by the Senate 31-18. Referred to House Appropriations

SF 2195 (formerly SSB 3003) - Mental Health Professional Loan Program (F) - This bill establishes the mental health professional loan repayment program within the college student aid commission. The bill provides that the commission is to administer the mental health professional loan repayment program for purposes of providing loan repayments for mental health professionals who agree to practice in an eligible practice area.

The bill limits the annual amount of loan repayment a mental health professional may receive to $8,000 for an eligible loan. The bill provides that the total loan repayments from the commission to a mental health professional shall not exceed $40,000.

“Mental health professional” means a non prescribing individual who holds at least a master’s degree from an eligible institution in a mental health field, including  psychology, counseling and guidance, social work, marriage and family therapy, or mental health counseling.

On Senate debate calendar

HF 2578 - Health and Human Services Appropriations (F) - Included in this 79-page bill is the requirement that the DHS to submit a Medicaid state plan amendment to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services to request the addition of functional family therapy and multisystemic therapy for youth as covered services under the Medicaid program. The Department will include functional family therapy and multisystemic therapy under the Medicaid program as covered services upon receipt of federal approval.  The bill also includes a $200,000 appropriation for the provision of this therapy;

The bill also prohibits health carriers from excluding out-of-state health care professionals who provide services for mental health conditions, illnesses, injuries, or diseases from participating as providers via telehealth, under a policy, plan, or contract offered by the health carrier if the professional is licensed in Iowa,  is able to deliver health care services for mental health via telehealth and is able to satisfy the same criteria that the carrier uses to qualify in-state professionals, who hold the same license as the out-of-state professional, as providers.

Also in the bill $7.4 million is appropriated for the reduction of the HCBS waiver waiting list for individuals with intellectual disabilities.

Approved by the House 60-35. Referred to Senate Appropriations

HF 2575 - Education Appropriations (F) - Included in this spending bill for fiscal year 2023 are two provisions of interest; 1) $1.5 M for the Mental Health Professional Loan Repayment Program; and 2) $3,183,936 for the continuation of the Children’s Mental Health School-Based Training and Support program

Approved by the House 58-36.  Referred to the Senate Appropriations Committee.

 

HF 2567 (formerly HF 2505 and HSB 702) - Mandatory Reporters/School Employee Investigations (M) - The bill requires the Department of Education to develop and implement a process for the reporting and investigation of any incident that arises which may reasonably lead to the conclusion that a licensed practitioner employed by the board of directors of a school district or the authorities in charge of an accredited nonpublic school has violated any law. The bill establishes that the process requires the creation of a committee to investigate these incidents. The bill requires the committee to meet to evaluate the incident and determine whether the licensed practitioner should be placed on administrative leave during the investigation.

Approved by the House 93-0. Senate subcommittee of Sinclair, Goodwin and Quirmbach

HF 2554 (formerly HF 2553 and HF 2310) - Functional Family Therapy (M) - This bill requires the department of human services to submit a Medicaid state plan amendment to include functional family therapy (FFT) and multisystemic therapy (MST) for youth as covered services under the Medicaid program. Both FFT and MST are evidence-based treatments for youth that address a youth’s home and environment to reduce problematic behavior and divert the youth from the juvenile justice system. The language of this bill is also included in HF 2578.

Passed the House 94-0.

HF 2549 (formerly HF 2137 and HSB 537) - MH Professional Loan Repayment Program (F) - This bill establishes a mental health practitioner and mental health professional loan repayment program, and provides an appropriation. The bill requires the Iowa Student Aid Commission to establish a mental health practitioner loan repayment program for the purposes of providing loan repayments for mental health practitioners who agree to practice in service commitment areas for at least five years and meet the requirements of the program. “Mental health practitioner” means a psychiatrist, a psychologist, a mental health professional, a physician assistant practicing under the supervision of a psychiatrist, or a psychiatric advanced registered nurse practitioner. “Mental health professional” means an individual who holds at least a master’s degree from an eligible institution in a mental health field, including psychology, counseling and guidance, social work, marriage and family therapy, or mental health counseling. 

Approved by the House 94-2. 

HF 2398 (formerly HSB 656) - Doctors or Masters BOEE One Time Licenses and Non Public School Background Checks (M) - The bill allows the Board of Educational Examiners to have no renewal requirements for a practitioner who has been employed as a practitioner for at least ten years and has a master’s or doctoral degree. The bill also requires nonpublic schools to utilize the Iowa courts online system, sex offender registry and child abuse registry for employee background checks.

Approved by House 99-0. On the Senate debate calendar.

HF 2298 (formerly HF 2040) - Covid Vaccination Not Required For School (A) - This bill prohibits requiring an immunization against COVID-19 for a person to be enrolled in any licensed child care center, elementary or secondary school, or postsecondary school in Iowa prior to July 1, 2029, notwithstanding whether a person’s attendance is in person or virtual.

Approved by the House 57-36. On the House debate calendar.

Approved by both the House and Senate:

HF 2416 (formerly HF 2309) - Athletic Participation (A) - The bill requires an college, junior college or interscholastic athletic team, sport,or athletic event that is sponsored or sanctioned by an accredited nonpublic school, school district, or athletic organization must be designated as females, women, or girls; males, men, or boys; or coeducational or mixed based on the sex at birth of the participating students. The bill also requires that only female students, based on their sex, may participate in any team, sport, or athletic event designated as being for females, women, or girls. The bill defines “sex” to mean a person’s biological sex as either female or male, and provides that the sex listed on the student’s official birth certificate or certificate issued upon adoption may be relied upon if the certificate was issued at or near the time of the student’s birth.

Approved by the House 55-39. Approved by the Senate 31-17. Signed into law by the Governor.

SF 2197 (formerly SF 168) - Non Public School Special Services (M) - The bill requires the Department of Education to convene and provide administrative support to the task force. The bill requires the task force to study and make recommendations regarding how to better serve students enrolled in nonpublic schools who receive special education services. The bill requires the task force to submit a report that includes findings and recommendations for policy changes to the General Assembly by December 1, 2022.

Approved by the Senate 46-0. Approved by the House 94-0.

HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES BUDGET READY FOR HOUSE DEBATE

The House is set to debate its FY 23 Health and Human Services budget proposal as early as this upcoming Monday.

House File 2578 includes a requirement that the DHS submit a Medicaid state plan amendment to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services to request the addition of functional family therapy and multisystemic therapy for youth as covered services under the Medicaid program. 

The bill also would require the department to include functional family therapy and multisystemic therapy under the Medicaid program as covered services upon receipt of federal approval.

Also included in HF 2578 is a new appropriation of $7.4 million to reduce the HCBS waiver waiting list for individuals with an intellectual disability.

Bills of Interest:

(HF - House File, HSB - House Study Bill, SF - Senate File, SSB - Senate Study Bill)

SF 2369 (formerly SF 2349 and SSB 3080) - Governor’s School Omnibus (M) - Included in this 20-page bill are provision that establish a student first scholarship program and a student first enrollment supplement fund; require the boards of directors of school districts to publish certain specified information regarding curriculum; as well as modifying provisions related to required social studies instruction, open enrollment, teacher librarian endorsements, competent private instruction, and special education.

Approved by the Appropriations Committee. On Senate debate calendar

SF 2195 (formerly SSB 3003) - Mental Health Professional Loan Program (F) - This bill establishes the mental health professional loan repayment program within the college student aid commission. The bill provides that the commission is to administer the mental health professional loan repayment program for purposes of providing loan repayments for mental health professionals who agree to practice in an eligible practice area.

The bill limits the annual amount of loan repayment a mental health professional may receive to $8,000 for an eligible loan. The bill provides that the total loan repayments from the commission to a mental health professional shall not exceed $40,000.

“Mental health professional” means a non prescribing individual who holds at least a master’s degree from an eligible institution in a mental health field, including  psychology, counseling and guidance, social work, marriage and family therapy, or mental health counseling.

On Senate debate calendar

HF 2578 - Health and Human Services Appropriations (F) - Included in this 79-page bill is the requirement that the DHS to submit a Medicaid state plan amendment to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services to request the addition of functional family therapy and multisystemic therapy for youth as covered services under the Medicaid program. The Department will include functional family therapy and multisystemic therapy under the Medicaid program as covered services upon receipt of federal approval.  The bill also includes a $200,000 appropriation for the provision of this therapy;

The bill also prohibits health carriers from excluding out-of-state health care professionals who provide services for mental health conditions, illnesses, injuries, or diseases from participating as providers via telehealth, under a policy, plan, or contract offered by the health carrier if the professional is licensed in Iowa,  is able to deliver health care services for mental health via telehealth and is able to satisfy the same criteria that the carrier uses to qualify in-state professionals, who hold the same license as the out-of-state professional, as providers.

Also in the bill $7.4 million is appropriated for the reduction of the HCBS waiver waiting list for individuals with intellectual disabilities.

On House debate calendar

HF 2575 - Education Appropriations (F) - Included in this spending bill for fiscal year 2023 are two provisions of interest; 1) $1.5 M for the Mental Health Professional Loan Repayment Program; and 2) $3,183,936 for the continuation of the Children’s Mental Health School-Based Training and Support program

Approved by the House 58-36.  Referred to the Senate Appropriations Committee.

 

HF 2567 (formerly HF 2505 and HSB 702) - Mandatory Reporters/School Employee Investigations (M) - The bill requires the Department of Education to develop and implement a process for the reporting and investigation of any incident that arises which may reasonably lead to the conclusion that a licensed practitioner employed by the board of directors of a school district or the authorities in charge of an accredited nonpublic school has violated any law. The bill establishes that the process requires the creation of a committee to investigate these incidents. The bill requires the committee to meet to evaluate the incident and determine whether the licensed practitioner should be placed on administrative leave during the investigation.

Approved by the House 93-0. Senate subcommittee of Sinclair, Goodwin and Quirmbach

HF 2554 (formerly HF 2553 and HF 2310) - Functional Family Therapy (M) - This bill requires the department of human services to submit a Medicaid state plan amendment to include functional family therapy (FFT) and multisystemic therapy (MST) for youth as covered services under the Medicaid program. Both FFT and MST are evidence-based treatments for youth that address a youth’s home and environment to reduce problematic behavior and divert the youth from the juvenile justice system. The language of this bill is also included in HF 2578.

Passed the House 94-0.

HF 2549 (formerly HF 2137 and HSB 537) - MH Professional Loan Repayment Program (F) - This bill establishes a mental health practitioner and mental health professional loan repayment program, and provides an appropriation. The bill requires the Iowa Student Aid Commission to establish a mental health practitioner loan repayment program for the purposes of providing loan repayments for mental health practitioners who agree to practice in service commitment areas for at least five years and meet the requirements of the program. “Mental health practitioner” means a psychiatrist, a psychologist, a mental health professional, a physician assistant practicing under the supervision of a psychiatrist, or a psychiatric advanced registered nurse practitioner. “Mental health professional” means an individual who holds at least a master’s degree from an eligible institution in a mental health field, including psychology, counseling and guidance, social work, marriage and family therapy, or mental health counseling. 

Approved by the House 94-2. 

HF 2398 (formerly HSB 656) - Doctors or Masters BOEE One Time Licenses and Nonpublic School Background Checks (M) - The bill allows the Board of Educational Examiners to have no renewal requirements for a practitioner who has been employed as a practitioner for at least ten years and has a master’s or doctoral degree. The bill also requires nonpublic schools to utilize the Iowa courts online system, sex offender registry and child abuse registry for employee background checks.

Approved by House 99-0. On the Senate debate calendar.

HF 2298 (formerly HF 2040) - Covid Vaccination Not Required For School (A) - This bill prohibits requiring an immunization against COVID-19 for a person to be enrolled in any licensed child care center, elementary or secondary school, or postsecondary school in Iowa prior to July 1, 2029, notwithstanding whether a person’s attendance is in person or virtual.

Approved by the House 57-36. On the House debate calendar.

Approved by both the House and Senate:

HF 2416 (formerly HF 2309) - Athletic Participation (A) - The bill requires an college, junior college or interscholastic athletic team, sport,or athletic event that is sponsored or sanctioned by an accredited nonpublic school, school district, or athletic organization must be designated as females, women, or girls; males, men, or boys; or coeducational or mixed based on the sex at birth of the participating students. The bill also requires that only female students, based on their sex, may participate in any team, sport, or athletic event designated as being for females, women, or girls. The bill defines “sex” to mean a person’s biological sex as either female or male, and provides that the sex listed on the student’s official birth certificate or certificate issued upon adoption may be relied upon if the certificate was issued at or near the time of the student’s birth.

Approved by the House 55-39. Approved by the Senate 31-17. Signed into law by the Governor.

SF 2197 (formerly SF 168) - Nonpublic School Special Services (M) - The bill requires the Department of Education to convene and provide administrative support to the task force. The bill requires the task force to study and make recommendations regarding how to better serve students enrolled in nonpublic schools who receive special education services. The bill requires the task force to submit a report that includes findings and recommendations for policy changes to the General Assembly by December 1, 2022.

Approved by the Senate 46-0. Approved by the House 94-0.

HOUSE UNVEILS HHS SPENDING BILL

Yesterday the House Health and Human Services Appropriations subcommittee gave its approval to a spending bill for FY23.

Highlights of the proposal include:

• $306,000 for the Your Life Iowa warmline program;

• Requiring the DHS to submit a Medicaid state plan amendment to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services to request the addition of functional family therapy and multisystemic therapy for youth as covered services under the Medicaid program. The Department will include functional family therapy and multisystemic therapy under the Medicaid program as covered services upon receipt of federal approval.  The bill also includes a $200,000 appropriation for the provision of this therapy;

• Prohibits health carriers from excluding out-of-state health care professionals who provide services for mental health conditions, illnesses, injuries, or diseases from participating as providers via telehealth, under a policy, plan, or contract offered by the health carrier if the professional is licensed in Iowa,  is able to deliver health care services for mental health via telehealth and is able to satisfy the same criteria that the carrier uses to qualify in-state professionals, who hold the same license as the out-of-state professional, as providers.

HOUSE EDUCATION SPENDING BILL ADVANCES

The House Appropriations Committee has approved its proposed FY 23 spending plan for education, House File 2575.

Here are the appropriations of interest:

• $1.5 M for the Mental Health Professional Loan Repayment Program

• $3,183,936 for the continuation of the Children’s Mental Health School-Based Training and Support program

No word on when the full House will consider the Education Appropriations bill.

Bills of Interest:

(HF - House File, HSB - House Study Bill, SF - Senate File, SSB - Senate Study Bill)

SF 2369 (formerly SF 2349 and SSB 3080) - Governor’s School Omnibus (M) - Included in this 20-page bill are provision that establish a student first scholarship program and a student first enrollment supplement fund; require the boards of directors of school districts to publish certain specified information regarding curriculum; as well as modifying provisions related to required social studies instruction, open enrollment, teacher librarian endorsements, competent private instruction, and special education.

Approved by the Appropriations Committee. On Senate debate calendar

SF 2197 (formerly SF 168) - Nonpublic School Special Services (M) - The bill requires the Department of Education to convene and provide administrative support to the task force. The bill requires the task force to study and make recommendations regarding how to better serve students enrolled in nonpublic schools who receive special education services. The bill requires the task force to submit a report that includes findings and recommendations for policy changes to the General Assembly by December 1, 2022.

Approved by the Senate 46-0. On House debate calendar

SF 2195 (formerly SSB 3003) - Mental Health Professional Loan Program (M) - This bill establishes the mental health professional loan repayment program within the college student aid commission. The bill provides that the commission is to administer the mental health professional loan repayment program for purposes of providing loan repayments for mental health professionals who agree to practice in an eligible practice area.

The bill limits the annual amount of loan repayment a mental health professional may receive to $8,000 for an eligible loan. The bill provides that the total loan repayments from the commission to a mental health professional shall not exceed $40,000.

“Mental health professional” means a non prescribing individual who holds at least a master’s degree from an eligible institution in a mental health field, including  psychology, counseling and guidance, social work, marriage and family therapy, or mental health counseling.

On Senate debate calendar

HF 2575 - Education Appropriations (F) - Included in this spending bill are appropriations of $1.5 M for the Mental Health Professional Loan Repayment Program and $3,183,936 for the continuation of the Children’s Mental Health School-Based Training and Support program.

On the House debate calendar

HF 2554 (formerly HF 2553 and HF 2310) - Functional Family Therapy (M) - This bill requires the department of human services to submit a Medicaid state plan amendment to include functional family therapy (FFT) and multisystemic therapy (MST) for youth as covered services under the Medicaid program. Both FFT and MST are evidence-based treatments for youth that address a youth’s home and environment to reduce problematic behavior and divert the youth from the juvenile justice system.

Passed the House 94-0.

HF 2549 (formerly HF 2137 and HSB 537) - MH Professional Loan Repayment Program (F) - This bill establishes a mental health practitioner and mental health professional loan repayment program, and provides an appropriation. The bill requires the Iowa Student Aid Commission to establish a mental health practitioner loan repayment program for the purposes of providing loan repayments for mental health practitioners who agree to practice in service commitment areas for at least five years and meet the requirements of the program. “Mental health practitioner” means a psychiatrist, a psychologist, a mental health professional, a physician assistant practicing under the supervision of a psychiatrist, or a psychiatric advanced registered nurse practitioner. “Mental health professional” means an individual who holds at least a master’s degree from an eligible institution in a mental health field, including psychology, counseling and guidance, social work, marriage and family therapy, or mental health counseling. 

Approved by the House 94-2. 

HF 2505 (formerly HSB 702) - Mandatory Reporters/School Employee Investigations (M) - The bill requires the Department of Education to develop and implement a process for the reporting and investigation of any incident that arises which may reasonably lead to the conclusion that a licensed practitioner employed by the board of directors of a school district or the authorities in charge of an accredited nonpublic school has violated any law. The bill establishes that the process requires the creation of a committee to investigate these incidents. The bill requires the committee to meet to evaluate the incident and determine whether the licensed practitioner should be placed on administrative leave during the investigation.

On House debate calendar

HF 2398 (formerly HSB 656) - Doctors or Masters BOEE One Time Licenses and Nonpublic School Background Checks (M) - The bill allows the Board of Educational Examiners to have no renewal requirements for a practitioner who has been employed as a practitioner for at least ten years and has a master’s or doctoral degree. The bill also requires nonpublic schools to utilize the Iowa courts online system, sex offender registry and child abuse registry for employee background checks.

Approved by House 99-0. On the Senate debate calendar.

HF 2298 (formerly HF 2040) - Covid Vaccination Not Required For School (A) - This bill prohibits requiring an immunization against COVID-19 for a person to be enrolled in any licensed child care center, elementary or secondary school, or postsecondary school in Iowa prior to July 1, 2029, notwithstanding whether a person’s attendance is in person or virtual.

Approved by the House 57-36. On the House debate calendar.

Approved by both the House and Senate:

HF 2416 (formerly HF 2309) - Athletic Participation (A) - The bill requires an college, junior college or interscholastic athletic team, sport,or athletic event that is sponsored or sanctioned by an accredited nonpublic school, school district, or athletic organization must be designated as females, women, or girls; males, men, or boys; or coeducational or mixed based on the sex at birth of the participating students. The bill also requires that only female students, based on their sex, may participate in any team, sport, or athletic event designated as being for females, women, or girls. The bill defines “sex” to mean a person’s biological sex as either female or male, and provides that the sex listed on the student’s official birth certificate or certificate issued upon adoption may be relied upon if the certificate was issued at or near the time of the student’s birth.

Approved by the House 55-39. Approved by the Senate 31-17. Signed into law by the Governor.

2ND PROCEDURAL DEADLINE ARRIVED TODAY

With the fall of the gavel earlier today, the second procedural hurdle of the Legislative Session for policy bills, the “Second Funnel,” arrived at the Statehouse.

The so-called “Second Funnel” is the date by which a bill has to be approved by a committee in the opposite chamber - meaning a House File must be approved by a Senate committee and a Senate File by a House committee - to remain eligible for further consideration this year.

As with most rules, there are some exceptions. Identical bills, with one passed out of a committee in the House and one in the Senate, can remain eligible for further consideration as long as they are placed on the “unfinished business calendar” in both chambers.

There are also three types of bill’s exempt from the procedural rules.  Bills in the Appropriations Committee, Ways and Means Committee and Government Oversight Committee are not governed by procedural deadlines requiring committee approval by specific dates.

Bills of Interest:

(HF - House File, HSB - House Study Bill, SF - Senate File, SSB - Senate Study Bill)

Bills that did not meet the second procedural deadline are struck through.

SF 2369 (formerly SF 2349 and SSB 3080) - Governor’s School Omnibus (M) - Included in this 20-page bill are provision that establish a student first scholarship program and a student first enrollment supplement fund; require the boards of directors of school districts to publish certain specified information regarding curriculum; as well as modifying provisions related to required social studies instruction, open enrollment, teacher librarian endorsements, competent private instruction, and special education.

Approved by the Appropriations Committee. On Senate debate calendar

SF 2307 (formerly SSB 3114) - Licensing Board Transcripts (M) - The bill prohibits a licensing board, other than the board of medicine and board of nursing, from requiring an applicant to submit an official transcript or an official diploma in connection with an application for a license, registration, or certificate, and requires a licensing board, other than the board of medicine and board of nursing, to accept a copy of an applicant’s transcript or diploma.

Approved by the Senate 37-10. House State Government subcommittee of Lundgren, A Meyer and Winckler

SF 2197 (formerly SF 168) - Nonpublic School Special Services (M) - The bill requires the Department of Education to convene and provide administrative support to the task force. The bill requires the task force to study and make recommendations regarding how to better serve students enrolled in nonpublic schools who receive special education services. The bill requires the task force to submit a report that includes findings and recommendations for policy changes to the General Assembly by December 1, 2022.

Approved by the Senate 46-0. On House debate calendar

SF 2195 (formerly SSB 3003) - Mental Health Professional Loan Program (M) - This bill establishes the mental health professional loan repayment program within the college student aid commission. The bill provides that the commission is to administer the mental health professional loan repayment program for purposes of providing loan repayments for mental health professionals who agree to practice in an eligible practice area.

The bill limits the annual amount of loan repayment a mental health professional may receive to $8,000 for an eligible loan. The bill provides that the total loan repayments from the commission to a mental health professional shall not exceed $40,000.

“Mental health professional” means a non prescribing individual who holds at least a master’s degree from an eligible institution in a mental health field, including  psychology, counseling and guidance, social work, marriage and family therapy, or mental health counseling.

On Senate debate calendar

HF 2549 (formerly HF 2137 and HSB 537) - MH Professional Loan Repayment Program (F) - This bill establishes a mental health practitioner and mental health professional loan repayment program, and provides an appropriation. The bill requires the Iowa Student Aid Commission to establish a mental health practitioner loan repayment program for the purposes of providing loan repayments for mental health practitioners who agree to practice in service commitment areas for at least five years and meet the requirements of the program. “Mental health practitioner” means a psychiatrist, a psychologist, a mental health professional, a physician assistant practicing under the supervision of a psychiatrist, or a psychiatric advanced registered nurse practitioner. “Mental health professional” means an individual who holds at least a master’s degree from an eligible institution in a mental health field, including psychology, counseling and guidance, social work, marriage and family therapy, or mental health counseling. 

Approved by the House 94-2. 

HF 2505 (formerly HSB 702) - Mandatory Reporters/School Employee Investigations (M) - The bill requires the Department of Education to develop and implement a process for the reporting and investigation of any incident that arises which may reasonably lead to the conclusion that a licensed practitioner employed by the board of directors of a school district or the authorities in charge of an accredited nonpublic school has violated any law. The bill establishes that the process requires the creation of a committee to investigate these incidents. The bill requires the committee to meet to evaluate the incident and determine whether the licensed practitioner should be placed on administrative leave during the investigation.

Approved by House Education Committee. Approved by Ways and Means subcommittee.

HF 2398 (formerly HSB 656) - Doctors or Masters BOEE One Time Licenses and Nonpublic School Background Checks (M) - The bill allows the Board of Educational Examiners to have no renewal requirements for a practitioner who has been employed as a practitioner for at least ten years and has a master’s or doctoral degree. The bill also requires nonpublic schools to utilize the Iowa courts online system, sex offender registry and child abuse registry for employee background checks.

Approved by House 99-0. On the Senate debate calendar.

HF 2385 (formerly HSB 527) - Counselor, Therapist or School Employee Exploitation (F) - The bill adds a person employed by, performing volunteer services for, or providing contract services to a nonpublic elementary or secondary school or charter school to the definition of “school employee”.

On House debate calendar

HF 2298 (formerly HF 2040) - Covid Vaccination Not Required For School (A) - This bill prohibits requiring an immunization against COVID-19 for a person to be enrolled in any licensed child care center, elementary or secondary school, or postsecondary school in Iowa prior to July 1, 2029, notwithstanding whether a person’s attendance is in person or virtual.

Approved by the House 57-36. On the House debate calendar.

HF 2294 (formerly HF 2109) - Your Life Iowa Info on School IDs (F) - This bill requires public schools to include on either side of identification cards issued to students in grades seven through twelve the your life Iowa crisis telephone and text numbers. The bill authorizes a public school that issues identification cards to students in grades five and six to do so as well.

On House debate calendar

Approved by both the House and Senate:

HF 2416 (formerly HF 2309) - Athletic Participation (A) - The bill requires an college, junior college or interscholastic athletic team, sport,or athletic event that is sponsored or sanctioned by an accredited nonpublic school, school district, or athletic organization must be designated as females, women, or girls; males, men, or boys; or coeducational or mixed based on the sex at birth of the participating students. The bill also requires that only female students, based on their sex, may participate in any team, sport, or athletic event designated as being for females, women, or girls. The bill defines “sex” to mean a person’s biological sex as either female or male, and provides that the sex listed on the student’s official birth certificate or certificate issued upon adoption may be relied upon if the certificate was issued at or near the time of the student’s birth.

Approved by the House 55-39. Approved by the Senate 31-17. Signed into law by the Governor.