SF 538-Medicaid work reporting requirements
SF 567-Professional licensing and criminal convictions
FLOOR ACTION:
SF 538-Medicaid work reporting requirements
SF 538 requires the Department of Human Services to submit a request to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid (CMS) by March 1, 2020, to implement “community engagement activities” (aka “work requirements”) as a requirement for eligibility for the Iowa Health and Wellness Plan (Iowa’s version of the ACA Medicaid expansion). The Iowa Health and Wellness Plan is for adults with incomes up to 138 percent of the federal poverty level. Community Engagement Activities are defined as working 20 hours per week; complying with a work program for 20 hours a week; volunteering 20 hours per week; meeting a combination of work and work program participation requirements; complying with PROMISE JOBS; being enrolled in the Future Ready Iowa program; or participating in other activities identified by DHS and CMS. Some Health and Wellness Plan members are exempt, including those who are mentally unable to fulfill the requirements; pregnant; caretakers of a child under six years of age; caretakers of a dependent child with medical conditions or a disability; receiving unemployment benefits; in drug or alcohol treatment; enrolled full time in an educational institution; homeschooling their children; caring for an elderly person who is disabled or seriously ill; or an individual who meets other criteria identified by DHS and CMS. If a Health and Wellness Plan member does not comply with the requirements of this bill, the member’s eligibility will be terminated for the remainder of the individual’s benefit year.
[3/19: 32-17, party-line (Vacant: Danielson)]
SF 567-Professional licensing and criminal convictions
SF 567 relates to professional licensing and the ability for licensing boards to deny, revoke or suspend a license because of a felony conviction. The Electrical Examining Board and the Plumbing and Mechanical Systems Board will adopt rules to identify which felonies are violent or sexual in nature. Those convictions will be grounds for denial, revocation or suspension of a license. The bill does allow the boards to grant an exception for a person who would otherwise be denied a license because of a conviction of the felony provided that there is an extenuating circumstance that justifies the exemption. The bill also strikes current Code sections allowing the boards to revoke, deny or suspend a license on convictions of any felonies. The bill forbids the Iowa Department of Corrections to enroll an inmate in an apprenticeship program if the inmate is unable to obtain a necessary license to practice due to a felony conviction that is violent or sexual in nature. Prior to enrolling an inmate in an apprenticeship program, the Department of Corrections must receive written confirmation from the appropriate licensing board that the inmate could receive the necessary license to practice the profession if it appears that inmate may be disqualified from receiving such a license.
[3/18: 48-0 (Absent: Dawson; Vacant: Danielson)]