Bill > HF34

Introduced Session

This bill relates to the provision of information relating to immunization exemptions. The bill amends Code section 139A.8 (immunization of children) to require that information regarding exemptions and the requirements for an exemption shall be included in any public communication following the recommendation of an immunization by the department of health and human services, shall be included in any communication regarding immunizations to a parent or legal guardian from a school, and shall be published on the internet sites of and included in registration documentation for all elementary schools, secondary schools, and licensed child care centers. The bill also requires child care centers, child care facilities, child care homes, and child development homes, as such terms are defined in Code chapter 237A (child care facilities), to include such information in communications to parents or guardians. The bill requires the state board of education to adopt rules requiring school districts, accredited nonpublic schools, charter schools, and innovation zone schools to include information regarding the exemptions and requirements for an exemption in any communication to the parent or guardian of a student that is related to required immunizations. The bill requires community colleges and institutions of higher learning under the control of the state board of regents to adopt a policy that requires the community college or institution to include in any communication to students that is related to immunization requirements information regarding exemptions to such requirements. In addition, the bill requires accredited private institutions and eligible institutions, as each is defined in Code section 256.183 (Iowa tuition grants program), as a condition of participation in the Iowa tuition grants program, to adopt a similar policy. The bill may include a state mandate as defined in Code section 25B.3. The bill requires that the state cost of any state mandate included in the bill be paid by a school district from state school foundation aid received by the school district under Code section 257.16. The specification is deemed to constitute state compliance with any state mandate funding-related requirements of Code section 25B.2. The inclusion of this specification is intended to reinstate the requirement of political subdivisions to comply with any state mandates included in the bill.

Committee Categories

Samantha Fett (R)*,  Jeff Shipley (R)*, 

Withdrawn. H.J. 660. (on 03/14/2025)

Official Document