Legislative Updates

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.

2ND PROCEDURAL DEADLINE COMES NEXT FRIDAY

The second procedural hurdle for policy bills, the “Second Funnel,” arrives at the end of business on Friday, March 18th.

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.

There are 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)

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.

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. Approved by House Education Committee subcommittee

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. 

On House debate calendar

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 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.

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. Approved by Senate Education Committee subcommittee.

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. Approved by Senate subcommittee

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

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MH Professional Loan Repayment Program Continues to Advance

House File 2549, the ISSWA-backed bill to create a mental health practitioner and mental health professional loan repayment program, is now eligible for consideration by the full House of Representatives.

The bill was approved by the House Appropriations Committee earlier this week.

Specifically, the bill establishes 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” is defined in the bill to mean 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. 

In the bill, “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.

There is a good chance the program and the appropriation for the program will be included in the Education Appropriations bill, with additional funds possibly in the Health and Human Services spending 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.

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.

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.

On Senate 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. 

On House debate calendar

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 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.

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. Referred to the Senate.

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. Referred to Senate Judiciary subcommittee of Schultz, Bisignano and Schultz

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

Tax Plan Agreement Awaits Gov’s Signature

The House of Representatives, Senate and Governor Reynolds have agreed to a major tax policy bill.

Thursday the Senate approved the plan 32-16 and the House voted in favor of the bill 61-34.

House File 2317 includes a reduction of the individual tax rate to just below 4% by 2026; exempts retirement income from state taxes; and reduces corporate taxes.

Governor Reynolds is expected to sign the bill into law no later than early next week.

Bills of Interest:

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

SF 2349 (formerly 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 Education committee, approved by Appropriations subcommittee

SF 2342 - 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.

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.

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.

On Senate 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 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 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.

HF 2398 (formerly HSB 656) - Doctors or Masters BOEE One Time License (M) - Current law authorizes the board of educational examiners (BOEE) to establish renewal requirements for licensed practitioners. The bill provides that there shall be no renewal requirement for a practitioner who possesses a master’s or doctoral degree. The bill makes conforming changes, including changes to authorize permanent licensure for practitioners who possess a master’s or doctoral degree.

On House 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.

On 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

HF 2137 - 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. 

Passed committee, referred to Appropriations and approved by subcommittee

Iowa School Social Workers Association

Legislative Session Update

2/18/22

First Legislative Procedural Deadline Arrives

The initial procedural hurdle of the 2022 Session of the Iowa Legislature arrived at the close of business today.

That first deadline is the so-called “First Funnel,” is the day by which bills must be approved by one committee in the bill’s chamber or origin to remain eligible for continued consideration this legislative session.

Please see in the “Bills of Interest” below, that proposals not approved by a committee, are noted by italic type.

There are 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.

The next milestone comes on March 18th.  That is the day by which a bill must be approved by at least one committee in the chamber not of its origin.  So as an example, a House proposal needs to be given the go-ahead by a Senate committee to remain eligible for further consideration this year.

MH Practitioner Loan repayment Subcommittee To Meet This Upcoming Week

The five member subcommittee assigned to consider House File 2137 are set to meet this upcoming Thursday, February 24 at 8:30am.

The ISSWA-backed bill would establish a mental health practitioner and mental health professional loan repayment program to provide 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.

A “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. 

A“ 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.

We will keep you updated on this bill.

Bills of Interest:

(Those in italics failed to meet the first procedural deadline and are nolongert eligible for further consideration this Legislative Session.)

(Bills that show the status “Approved by Committee” will be renumbered in the upcoming week.  They were approved by a committee late this week, but due to the volume of bills being processed, have yet to receive a new number.)

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

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.

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.

On Senate 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

SF 2075 - Your Life Iowa Info on School IDs (F) - The bill directs the board of regents to require each institution of higher learning governed by the board that issues identification cards to students to include on each student identification card the three-digit number adopted by the department of human services that the student may call or text to obtain suicide prevention services. The bill makes a similar directive for school district boards of directors for students in grades 6 through 12. The bill strongly encourages the authorities in charge of each accredited nonpublic school to display on each identification card the school issues.

Subcommittee: Sinclair, Rozenboom and J Smith

SF 2025 - School Bathrooms (M) - This bill requires elementary and secondary public and nonpublic schools to designate and allow the use of multiple occupancy toilet facilities only by persons of the same biological sex. The bill prohibits a person from entering a school single and multiple occupancy toilet facility that does not correspond with the person’s biological sex. The bill provides that such designations and prohibitions do not 6 constitute unfair or discriminatory practices in violation of the Iowa civil rights Act.

Subcommittee; Sinclair, Quirmbach and Rozenboom

SF 2024 - Gender Identity Curriculum (M) - This bill establishes that the curriculum utilized by a school district or accredited nonpublic school in accordance with the state’s educational standards for elementary students shall not include instruction relating to gender identity. However, the prohibition does not apply to the curriculum provided to a student enrolled in grades one through six if the school district or accredited nonpublic school obtains the prior written consent of the student’s parent or guardian. If a school does not obtain a parent’s or guardian’s written consent, the student may opt out of instruction relating to gender identity. Gender identity, for purposes of the bill, means a gender-related identity of a person, regardless of the person’s assigned sex at birth.

Subcommittee; Sinclair, Quirmbach and Rozenboom

SF 2003 - At Risk Student Funding (M) - This bill modifies the maximum modified supplemental amount calculation (funds for a school district’s program for at-risk students, secondary students who attend alternative programs and alternative schools, or returning dropouts and dropout prevention) for fiscal years beginning on or after July 1, 2022, but before July 1, 2026, by increasing the 2.5 percent ratio figure by .5 percent each fiscal year until the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2026, and each fiscal year thereafter, when the maximum ratio percentage is set at 5 percent for all school districts.

Approved by subcommittee

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 committee

HF 2398 (formerly HSB 656) - Doctors or Masters BOEE One Time License (M) - Current law authorizes the board of educational examiners (BOEE) to establish renewal requirements for licensed practitioners. The bill provides that there shall be no renewal requirement for a practitioner who possesses a master’s or doctoral degree. The bill makes conforming changes, including changes to authorize permanent licensure for practitioners who possess a master’s or doctoral degree.

On House 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.

On 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

HF 2225 - Board of Social Work and Behavior Science Merger (M) - This bill merges the boards of social work and behavioral science into the board of social work and behavioral science.

Subcommittee: Fry, Bacon and Mascher

HF 2151 - BOEE Fingerprint Submission (M) - Current law requires all initial applicants for BOEE licensure to submit a completed fingerprint packet and requires the BOEE to use the packet to facilitate a national criminal history background check. The bill requires the BOEE to allow all initial applicants to submit the completed fingerprint packet electronically.

Referred to State Government

HF 2146 - BOEE Makeup (M) - Current law provides that the BOEE consists of members. This  bill adds two ex officio, non voting members to the BOEE. The bill requires the President of the Senate to appoint one of the ex officio, non voting members from the Senate education Committee. The bill also requires the Speaker of the House to appoint the other ex officio, non voting member from the House Education Committee. The bill provides that the ex officio, non voting members serve a one-year term.

Referred to Education

HF 2137 - 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. 

Passed committee and referred to Appropriations subcommittee: Fry, Brown-Powers, Forbes, Kerr and A Meyer

HF 2008 - At Risk Student Funding (M) - This bill modifies the maximum modified supplemental amount calculation (funds for a school district’s program for at-risk students, secondary students who attend alternative programs and alternative schools, or returning dropouts and dropout prevention) for fiscal years beginning on or after July 1, 2022, but before July 1, 2026, by increasing the 2.5 percent ratio figure by .5 percent each fiscal year until the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2026, and each fiscal year thereafter, when the maximum ratio percentage is set at 5 percent for all school districts.

Approved by subcommittee

HSB 702 - 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 committee

HSB 531 - MH Bed Expansion (M) - This bill appropriates to the Department of Human Services for FY 2022-2023 an amount necessary to expand the bed capacity of the Mental Health Institute at Cherokee by an additional 12 adult beds and 6 adolescent beds, and to expand the bed capacity of the Mental Health Institute at Independence by an additional 20 adult beds and 8 adolescent beds.

Subcommittee: Fry, A Meyers and Brown-Powers