Reynolds signs final bills from 2023 legislative session
The signings represent the last batch of bills that passed the Republican-led Iowa Legislature during its 2023 legislative session.
Reynolds vetoed Senate File 388, which would require the
In her veto message to
Though the bill unanimously passed both the
Reynolds also vetoed a section within the judicial branch budget bill that would change
Under the law, the state's public defender may appoint a private attorney to represent someone who cannot afford to hire their own lawyer, if no contract attorney is available to represent them — regardless of whether the private attorney wants to take the case.
"All attorneys owe a duty to the legal profession to accept such an appointment if needed," Reynolds wrote in line-item veto message of Senate File 563. "And of course, this change creates the possibility that if no attorneys consent, indigent individuals will be left without legal representation."
Among the other bills Reynolds signed:
SAFE HAVEN 'BABY BOX' TO SURRENDER NEWBORNS
House File 425, amends the state's Safe Haven law to include the use of "newborn safety devices" at certain facilities that are staffed 24/7 with first responders, like a fire station or a hospital.
Previously, parents had to surrender an infant face-to-face with a first responder or hospital worker.
Under the new law,
The baby boxes are touted as being safe, with temperature controls, safety incubators and dual alarms designed to call a 911 dispatcher as soon as the outside door to the baby box is opened and again after movement is detected inside the box.
Once a hospital worker or first responder arrives, the newborn is removed from the baby box's bassinet and immediately taken to receive medical attention, before then being placed for adoption.
Supporters say the devices give people a way to anonymously and safely surrender an unwanted infant to authorities.
Critics argue the practice creates a method for people to surrender babies without the parents' consent.
MENTAL HEALTH HOTLINE ON STUDENT ID CARDS
House File 602 requires school districts to put a 24-hour call and text line that provides crisis counseling on student IDs.
Your Life Iowa is a state program that offers resources for people considering suicide or struggling with mental health issues, gambling problems and substance abuse.
Schools would be required to put the numbers on new IDs for grades 7 through 12 and would have the option to add the number to IDs in grades 5 and 6.
NEW NURSING HOME MORATORIUM
House File 685 places an initial, yearlong moratorium on building new nursing homes in the state and adding new beds to existing homes. The moratorium could be renewed in six-month increments, up to a total of three years.
Many
It also implements a 2.5 percent tax on managed care organization premiums received and taxable. The tax revenue would be deposited into a fund for the
The new tax would be reimbursed to MCOs — the private insurance companies contracted to manage
Once fully implemented, the tax and reimbursement process is expected to provide
The legislation also requires
For a full list of the bills Reynolds signed, go to governor. iowa.gov.
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