Iowa Senate advances package of bills on children’s specialty hospitals, first-responder cancer coverage, teacher pay and professional licensing

The Iowa Senate on a single floor session advanced and passed a package of bills on healthcare, retirement benefits for first responders, teacher salary supplements and a range of licensing and consumer-protection measures.

Senator Klemish, senator from Winneshiek, opened debate on House File 919, a bill to create a new designation and license for a "children's specialty hospital" under chapter 135B and to set reimbursement directives tied to the Iowa administrative code. "House file 919 is a bill that establishes a new designation and license for children's specialty hospital under chapter 135B," Klemish said in opening remarks. The Senate adopted an amendment from Health and Human Services changing reimbursement language, then approved the bill by voice and roll call; the clerk recorded 47 ayes, 0 nays.

Senator Webster, senator from Scott, led debate on House File 969, legislation that creates presumptions relating to cancer for state troopers and municipal police and firefighters and adjusts contribution rates for certain IPERS-covered members. Webster described contribution-rate changes and an amendment that addressed a missed member group; following amendment adoption the bill passed the Senate 46-1. "I just wanna thank the family, the friends, the community members, the firefighters. You did not give up and you made this happen and I'm so proud to vote yes," Webster said during final remarks.

On education, the Senate passed House File 787, the governor’s package on teacher salary supplement and out-of-state placement funding, and two items that adjust teacher-preparation and job-posting requirements. Senator Evans, senator from Cherokee, handled floor management for the bill; the…