Regents review multiple education and contract bills; register mostly undecided positions

The State Board of Regents met to review a set of bills moving through the Iowa Legislature, and the board remained largely undecided on most measures while agreeing to continue monitoring developments.

Board staff identified two items that had moved in the House this week: House File 299, an immunization-exemption notice bill that passed the House on a 58-30 vote, and House File 516, an omnibus medical-education bill that passed the House and is now in the Senate. "This is a bill that we're registered undecided on," said Jen Harvison referring to House File 299. "Good morning. This bill has sort of become an omnibus bill related to medical education at the University of Iowa," said Keith while describing House File 516.

Why it matters: Several bills would affect Regents institutions’ compliance obligations or reporting duties. House File 299 would require exemptions information to be included in Department of Health and Human Services immunization recommendations and would require day-care centers and education institutions to publish related notices; the Regents would be required to adopt policy for higher-education institutions if the law is enacted. House File 516 would codify residency preferences and reporting at the University of Iowa, and set an 80%…