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Bill Watch List
As of January 23, legislators have introduced 391 bills. That's an average of 56 bills for each working day. Look for that to accelerate in the coming weeks. You'll notice there are some repeats from prior years but several new concepts that reflect priorities of the leaders and Governor. Note that this year there will be increased scrutiny on all higher education, including private colleges, as well as federal funding coming into the state.
Practice-Related Bills: IPA has asked legislators in the past to end the use of "psychologist" at state prisons and institutions unless the person holds a license in psychology. Senate File 125 by Sen. Janet Petersen does that. IPA joined broad support for the bill that requires automatic Medicaid provider rate increases up to 2.5% each year (House File 13). Legislators have also proposed several bills (including House File 61, Senate Study Bill 1021) that require more transparency in health care fee scales, but it is unclear if these will really help inform patients when what a provider charges is not what the patient will pay (and what they pay has so many variables). Finally, Senate File 117 prohibits a licensing boards or board of pharmacy from restricting the prescribing authority of pharmacists and other prescribers. This was introduced by a group of legislators concerned about COVID-era decisions, but it could open the door for needed fixes to prescribing psychologist rules.
Insurance Bills: House File 58 requires insurers (including Medicaid) to cover treatment of eating disorders and includes coverage for dietician services if they are in the person's treatment plan. Another bill (House File 5) removes age limits (coverage for lifetime), benefit caps ($36,000/year), and treatment session limits from insurance coverage for autism spectrum disorder. Senate File 87 requires insurers to pay for acupuncture as a way to assist in treatment of other conditions, but its chances of moving are slim as a Democratic-sponsored bill. Finally, a Senate subcommittee approved a bill (Senate Study Bill 1016) to reign in prior authorizations. Medicaid is not included in this; only private insurance. There is some concern that squeezing prior authorizations will push more insurers to do retrospective or prepayment reviews.
Education Bills: Legislative scrutiny on schools, this year including higher education, continues at the Capitol. There are already a dozen bills to pull back DEI activities and programs at private colleges and community colleges (similar to what was done to Regents Universities last session) and hone in on programs at any college or university that legislators think are promoting DEI under other names. The new House Higher Education Committee will be dealing with all of these (you can see the list of committee members and bills introduced in that committee here). Bills from this committee that get legs will be added to the bill tracker. House Study BIll 10 moved out of subcommittee this week; it allows schools to replace a school nurse with an athletic trainer. It will be amended, but opponents who worry about children with serious health conditions and behavioral disorders would not get the medical support needed while at school. Senate File 8 is a repeat from 2024; it would make it impossible for schools to discipline an employee, contractor, or other student who refuses to us the name and gender of a child, as approved by the parent. And yes, you read that right. A transgender student whose parents have affirmed their name and gender identity would have no recourse if a teacher or student intentionally dead names or misgenders them. Meanwhile, two Democratic-sponsored bills (Senate File 100, Senate File 102) would require schools to post mental health resources on their websites.
Gambling: Republicans caucused for several hours this week on the proposed moratorium on new casinos (House Study Bill 80/Senate File 76). The Gaming Commission is meeting on February 6 to decide if Cedar Rapids will get a new license, so legislators will be rushing to pass this bill this week. The Department of Public Safety has introduced a bill (House Study Bill 21) to address fraudulent activity in online sports betting. In a memo to legislators, the department noted that Iowans wagered a record breaking $2.8 billion on sporting events in 2024.
Other Bills: Rep. Brian Lohse introduced a bill (House File 86) that expands the definition of a "child in need of assistance" to include children in need of treatment for chemical dependency and children whose parents are seeking but cannot find substance use disorder or behavioral treatment for them. Current law only uses "mental illness or disorder" and only includes children whose parents are unwilling to get them treatment. This should help take away one more barrier to getting children the treatment and support they need. Penalties for assaults on health care workers (including psychologists) would be enhanced under House Study Bill 24, which advanced to the full committee last week. Health care volunteers and students would be included in this enhanced penalty law under House Study Bill 9.
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