Under the Golden Dome
We are two weeks from the second legislative funnel deadline. By the end of March, a bill must pass one chamber and a committee in the opposite chamber to remain alive. This does not apply to budget and tax bills. Our two main policy priorities, the counseling compact and the noncompete prohibition for mental health professionals remain alive. But we will need to work to get HF 93 moving in the Senate next week to ensure we make the funnel deadline.
The legislature also moved two significant LGTBQ bills this week. Bills to prohibit gender affirming care and to require students to use the bathroom of their biological sex passed both chambers and will go to the governor.
Senate Republicans released their budget target this week, proposing a 3.3% increase in the overall state budget. Now is the time to talk with your senators about why an increase in our Medicaid reimbursement rate is needed. The House has yet to release their budget targets.
Bills of Interest
HF 93: This bill prohibits non-compete clauses for any mental health professional as defined in 228.1, including mental health counselors. HF 93 passed the House 95-0 and is before the Senate Health and Human Services Committee. IMHCA is registered in support of the bill.
HF 151: This bill strikes the code language for the newly created mental health professional loan repayment program for mental health counselors, mental health social workers, psychologists and marriage and family therapists. It creates a new mental health practitioner loan repayment program that includes all mental health professionals as defined in 228.1, including nurses, PAs, and psychiatrists. It also provides for a $1.5 million appropriation. The current program for mental health counselors is funded at $520,000. The bill passed the House Health and Human Services Committee and is before the House Appropriations Committee. IMHCA is registered undecided.
HF 180: This bill prohibits schools from facilitating any accommodation to affirm a student’s gender identity if it is different from the student’s sex listed at birth unless the parent or guardian consents to these accommodations. The bill passed the House Education Committee. IMHCA is registered opposed to the bill.
HF 243: This bill eliminates the age limit and maximum coverage for behavioral analysis treatment for autism for both Medicaid and private insurers. Current law does not allow such coverage beyond the age of 21 and limits the total amount of coverage to no more than $36,000. HF 243 passed the House 99 – 0 and is before the Senate Commerce Committee.
IMHCA is registered in support of the bill.
HF 244/SF 253: These bills clarify that payments made to successful applicants under the mental health loan repayment program are annual payments made at the conclusion of each calendar year that the person fulfills the program requirements. The bills have been approved by the education committees in each chamber. IMHCA was successful in creating this program and is registered in support of this technical clarification.
HF 273/SF 210: These bills authorize the use of the term “brain health” and “brain illness” to be used synonymously with mental health, mental illness and behavioral health but does not impact any licensure, reimbursement, or scope of practice. Both bills have been approved by the Health and Human Services Committees in both chambers. IMHCA is registered as opposed both bills.
HF 348: This bill prohibits schools from providing instruction in gender identity and sexual orientation to students in kindergarten through six grades. Formerly HF 8, the bill was approved by the House Education Committee. HF 348 passed the House 62-35 and is before the Senate Education Committee. IMHCA is registered opposed to the bill.
HF 494/SF 127: This bill adopts the national counseling compact legislation, allowing Iowa’s entry into this compact. The compact authorizes both in-person and telehealth practice by licensed individuals in other member states of the compact. Both bills have been approved by the Health and Human Services in each chamber. HF 494 was referred to the House Ways and Means Committee IMHCA is registered in support of both bills.
HF 620: This bill prohibits disciplinary action against a school employee for failing to use an individual’s preferred pronouns. It was approved by the House Education Committee and is eligible for floor debate. IMHCA is registered opposed.
SF 496: This is the governor’s “parent empowerment” bill which includes two provisions that IMHCA registered opposed to as single bills in the House. prohibits schools from providing instruction in gender identity and sexual orientation to students in kindergarten through six grades. And it prohibits schools from facilitating any accommodation to affirm a student’s gender identity if it is different from the student’s sex listed at birth unless the parent or guardian consents to these accommodations. The bill passed the Senate Education Committee and is eligible for floor debate. IMHCA is registered opposed to the bill.
SF 482: This bill prohibits schools from allowing a person to use a multiple occupancy restroom, changing room or other facility that does not correspond to their biological sex. It allows districts to make accommodations for any student for any reason whose parent/guardian consents to alternative accommodations. It is effective upon the governor’s signature. SF 482 passed the Senate 33-16 and the House 57-39 and goes to the governor for her signature. IMHCA is registered opposed to the bill.
SF 538: This bill prohibits any health care professional licensed under Iowa Code 147 from providing any medical or surgery for minors experiencing gender dysphoria. It does not prohibit mental health counselors from providing counseling services, but it does prohibit them from recommending their client for treatment that is prohibited by this bill. The Senate passed the bill 33-16 and the House passed the bill 58-39, sending the bill to the governor for her signature. IMHCA is registered opposed to the bill.