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Sioux Center, IA 51250
Dozens of new laws will take effect on July 1, the start of the state’s new fiscal year.
A number of bi-partisan bills were passed during the 2021 Legislative Session that directly benefit or help Iowans.
Expanded Access to Child Care
- Increases rates for child care facilities that support parents working, looking for work, or getting new job skills through child care assistance (HF 891)
- Expands CCA to working families so they can earn more money without losing all child care benefits, reducing the cliff effect (HF 302)
Opportunities for Firefighter and Fire Departments
- Increased the volunteer Firefighter/EMT/Reserve Peace Officer Tax Credit from $100 to $250 (SF 619)
- New grants become available for local fire departments for new safety equipment (HF 761)
Lifetime Trout Fishing Stamp
- Established a lifetime trout fishing stamp for Iowans over the age of 65 (HF 234)
Original Birth Certificates Now Accessible
- Provides a process for certain adoptees to receive a copy of an original birth certificate (HF 855)
Mental Health Availability Increase
- Requires mental health services provided by telehealth to be covered at the same rate as services taking place in-person at a health care facility (SF 619)
New Business Opportunities
- Expands the number of retail locations for beer manufacturers, distillers, and wineries which is a boom for rural Iowa (HF 768)
Unfortunately, there are a few bills going into effect July 1 that were pushed by the special interests and many Iowans oppose. Those include:
- A new plan that funnels money from public schools to privately run charter schools (HF 813)
- Eliminates the requirement for a state permit to buy handguns or carry firearms in most public places (HF 756)
- Allows any parent to teach their kid driver’s education instead of a certified instructor (SF 546).
For more information and a full list of bills, log on to iowahouse.org.
