State Government Committee – Week 8

COMMITTEE ACTION:

SSB 3191 – Administrative Code Editor technical clean up

SSB 3191 is the Administrative Code Editor technical clean-up bill that allows the Editor authority to update the agency address rather than requiring those changes to go through the rules process. It requires a fiscal impact for any rule that costs more than $100,000 or combined expenditures of at least $500,000 within five years. This conforms the Code to current practice. The bill consolidates the rule delaying Code sections and aligns the committee membership with the General Assembly service terms. The bill makes other technical changes in timeframes for committee action and agency reporting. 
[2/27: Short Form (Excused: Miller-Meeks)]

COMMITTEE AND FLOOR ACTION:

HF 310 – Scope of practice for optometrists – injections

HF 310 allows optometrists to administer sub-conjunctival injections for the medical treatment of the eye, intra-lesional injections for the treatment of chalazia, and injections to counteract an anaphylactic reaction. Current law prohibits an optometrist from administering injections other than to counter an anaphylactic reaction. The bill prohibits an optometrist from administering any injection prior to receiving approval from the board. The board will not approve the use of injections by an optometrist, except for injections to counteract an anaphylactic reaction, unless the optometrist demonstrates sufficient educational or clinical training from or equivalent to an accredited college or university. An amendment was adopted to allow botulism toxin injections. 
[COMMITTEE 2/27: 13-1 (No: Chapman; Excused: Miller-Meeks)]
[FLOOR 3/3: 41-8 (Excused: Wahls)]

FLOOR ACTION:

SJR 2003 – Gubernatorial line of succession constitutional amendment

SJR 2003 proposes amendments to the Constitution of the State of Iowa relating to the gubernatorial line of succession and the filling of vacant public offices. First, there is a reference change from “any office” to “any public office” regarding the governor’s power to fill vacancies where no mode is otherwise provided for by law. Second, the resolution creates a system of succession in the case of a permanent or temporary disability of the governor or governor-elect. In the case of a temporary disability of the governor or governor-elect, the lieutenant governor or lieutenant governor-elect will act as governor or governor-elect until the disability is removed, or the governor dies, resigns or is removed from office. In the case of death, resignation or removal from office, the lieutenant governor or lieutenant governor-elect becomes governor or governor-elect for the remainder of the term. An amendment makes a technical change. This proposed constitutional amendment must be approved by the next General Assembly and approved by voters before going into effect.  
[2/27: 49-0 (Excused: Miller-Meeks)]

SF 155 – Removes prohibition on mobile barber shops

SF 155 removes the prohibition on mobile barber shops. This bill was inspired by a barber who plans to launch a mobile barbershop to better meet the needs of the homeless and others in Waterloo.
[3/2: 49-0 (Excused: Wahls)]

SF 2135 – Disinterment permits for cremated remains

SF 2135 clarifies the Code regarding cremated remains. An Administrative Rule (ARC 4849C) would have exempted cremated remains from the requirement that a permit be issued for relocation of remains from the original site if the purpose is autopsy or burial. ARC 4849C would have gone into effect upon the adjournment of the 2020 session if the Legislature did not act on the rule. This bill is aimed at removing remains from cemeteries, but does not impact remains buried on private property because they do not have a public health burial permit. A floor amendment was adopted that clarifies the disinterment process, which mirrors the funeral director’s role under rules to supervise or administor, and adds additional consideration to include a person that has final rights or control, and any court order.
[2/27: 46-3 (No: Dotzler, Hogg, R. Taylor; Excused: Miller-Meeks)]

SF 2188 – Department of Homeland Security bill – hazard mitigation

SF 2188 deals with hazard mitigation during a disaster emergency/flooding. Under the bill, if financial assistance for hazard mitigation/flood recovery is granted by the federal government (but not by a Governor’s proclamation), the state may participate in the funding of the financial assistance authorized to a local government in an amount not to exceed 10% of eligible expenses. In addition, if financial assistance is granted for state-related hazard mitigation, the state may participate in the funding in an amount not to exceed 50% of eligible expenses. Local governments must have a state-approved comprehensive emergency plan to participate.
[3/2: 49-0 (Excused: Wahls)]

SF 2268 – Raising age of vaping to 21

SF 2268 increases the minimum age to buy and use tobacco, tobacco products, alternative nicotine products, vapor products and cigarettes from 18 to 21.
[3/4: 43-6 (No: Carlin, Edler, Schultz, Sinclair, Zaun, R. Taylor; Excused: Rozenboom, Wahls)]

SF 2283 – Training programs for certain emergency medical care providers

SF 2283 authorizes a medical care ambulance service or nontransport service to apply to establish a training program. Additionally, the bill makes a corresponding change to the definition of “training program” to reflect the addition of medical care ambulance services and nontransport services to the category of eligible training program providers. Current Code says that an Iowa college approved by the higher learning commission or an Iowa hospital that wants to provide emergency medical care services training must apply to the Department of Public Health for authorization.
[3/4: 49-0 (Excused: Wahls)]

SF 2327 – Elimination of hospital licensing board

SF 2327 eliminates the hospital licensing board. The hospital licensing board duties include consulting with and advising the Department of Public Health (IDPH) on matters of policy affecting the licensure and regulation of hospitals, developing rules and standards, and reviewing and approving rules and standards prior to their approval by the state board of health and adoption by the department. Instead, IDPH would adopt rules setting out the standards for the different types of hospitals to be licensed.
[2/27: 49-0 (Excused: Miller-Meeks)]

SF 2357 – Scope of practice for physician assistants

SF 2357 expands the scope of practice for physician assistants (PAs) in these ways:

  • PAs may prescribe, dispense, order, administer or procure prescription drugs for which they have been prepared by education, training or experience, and are competent to perform.
  • A physician may delegate the function of prescribing drugs, after the supervising physician determines the physician assistant’s proficiency and competence.
  • Includes physician assistants relating to the scope of recovery in an action for damages for personal injury and wrongful death.
  • Strikes the reference to a physician assistant examination that may be completed in lieu of graduation from an approved program.
  • A physician must be accessible at all times for consultation with a physician assistant. The supervising physician has ultimate responsibility for determining the medical care provided by the supervising physician-physician assistant team.
  • The bill also includes physician assistants as approved providers of health care services, including primary care for purposes of managed care or prepaid services contracts under the Medicaid program.
    [3/2: 49-0 (Excused: Wahls)]

HF 2267  – Regulation of dental hygienists and dental assistants

HF 2267 removes the requirement that services performed by a dental hygienist or dental assistant be performed in a dental office, public or private school, public health agency, hospital or armed forces facility. The bill allows the dental board to impose an administrative penalty of up to $500 on licensees who practice without the proper license, registration or qualification. The bill allows a dental assistant, with additional training, to perform expanded functions and participate in dental radiography. The bill prohibits a dental assistant from placing sealants on teeth unless the dental assistant has completed expanded training accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation.
[3/4: 48-0 (Excused: Rozenboom, Wahls)]