Share


Gov. Culver: Signs bills benefiting public health
4/21/2010

OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR

Governor Chet Culver « Lt. Governor Patty Judge

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

April 21, 2010

Contact:

Troy Price, Governor’s Office

(515) 281.0173

troy.price@iowa.gov

DES MOINES – Governor Chet Culver today took action on bills that will help improve Iowans’ health at events in Iowa City and Davenport.

At the Old Capitol in Iowa City, the Governor signed Senate File 2384, legislation to strengthen Iowa’s nursing workforce. The bill directs Iowa Workforce Development to establish a clearinghouse of nursing workforce information from sources statewide, and submit the information to the Governor and the Legislature each year. It adds funds to the “Iowa Needs Nurses Now” initiative (formerly the “Nursing Workforce Shortage” initiative), creating an “Iowa Needs Nurses Now” infrastructure account at the Department of Public Health. The bill also provides funds for the Nurse Residency Training Grant program to put nurses and nursing students to work caring for patients.

”Nurses are the backbone of our healthcare delivery system. They are on the front lines of patient care and are key players in prevention and wellness,” Governor Culver said. “This bill helps us address the demands faced by Iowa’s nurses and develops an infrastructure by which more people can enter this vital profession. Supporting the nursing workforce will ultimately benefit Iowa’s public health.”

Also today, Governor Culver signed Senate File 2387 at the Mississippi Valley Regional Blood Center in Davenport. The bill authorizes a sales tax exemption on chemicals and equipment for testing blood at regional blood testing labs that are licensed by the federal Food and Drug Administration. The tax exemption begins on Jan. 1, 2011.

“This law will lower costs for entities testing blood in the state, like the Mississippi Valley Regional Blood Center, which provides needed blood to more than 50 hospitals in three states,” Governor Culver said at the signing ceremony. “This bill will help people help others, ultimately benefiting public health as well.”

In addition, the Governor signed the following bills today:

Senate File 2383

Makes changes to the way state and local government seek to collect debt.

Senate File 2375

Makes a number of technical changes to keep Iowa in compliance with the streamlined sales tax agreement with other states.

Senate File 285

Bill comes from the interim criminal code reorganization committee. Clarifies what are scheduled violations because of some confusion about Code charging sections and addresses some ambiguities. Specifies that certain violations are simple misdemeanors and clarifies that certain Code sections are not charging sections for the purposes of law enforcement (i.e., 321.236). Specifies that violations of posted speed limits are scheduled violations. Clarifies that magistrates have jurisdiction over all simple misdemeanors, regardless of a potential fine amount for the offense.

Senate File 2156

Extends the IowaCare program allowing the sunset language currently in statute to continue through the waiver renewal period. Makes changes to satisfy the terms of a revised waiver renewal request through the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). Updates provisions necessary to implement the program including updating services and reporting requirements of the waiver. Makes important changes to the IowaCare program that will help insure waiver renewal and the integrity of the program long term.

Senate File 2158

Makes changes to Iowa’s child support recovery program. Will allow parents to avoid unnecessary formal service of legal notice for medical support on custodial parents who may not have health insurance. Streamlines and shortens the timeframes for review and adjustment of child support from 30 days to 15 days. Makes a technical change to clarify a minimum levels of support when a minor payor attends high school full time.

Senate File 2200

Amends current law related to the jurisdiction of juvenile court. Under current law, after an initial permanency hearing that places a child in the custody of guardianship of another person or agency, the juvenile court retains jurisdiction and annually reviews the order to determine the best interest of the child. SF 2200 changes current law to allow the juvenile court to close cases and transfer jurisdiction over the guardianship of a child to probate court. The bill also allows an exception to current probate law that otherwise establishes an overall preference for a parent to be a child’s guardian. Under this legislation, the probate preference does not apply for cases that are transferred from juvenile court. This bill allows children to be free of the judicial system after a permanent placement is established with a relative or other adult. It will encourage permanency and is consistent with the Department’s efforts toward permanency for children involved in the child welfare system.

Senate File 2344

Gives the Department of Corrections the option to provide a violator program at the Newton institution. Last year funding for the violator program was eliminated, thereby closing the program at Newton. If funding is appropriated for the program, the department can provide the program without another code change.

House File 2294

Makes a change to the State Individual Assistance Program for disasters that makes it easier to use for individuals who qualify. Previously, this program was done on a reimbursement basis and affected families would need to spend out-of-pocket to replace damages. This change sets up a system by which affect families can use vouchers in lieu of having to bear the up-front financial burden themselves.

House File 2193

Makes revisions to the chapter that governs emergency medical care. It incorporates the adoption of a National Scope of Practice Model (NSP) for training and licensure of EMS providers, which will make it easier for EMS providers to work or volunteer in Iowa, especially in a disaster situation. National standards will also be cost effective for training programs because keeping education standard throughout the nation will decrease costs in purchasing textbooks. It is also cost effective for the EMS Bureau and providers to use the National Registry examinations because resources will not be needed to develop, maintain, and defend a state exam. The bill better defines that the EMS Bureau within IDPH has authority over EMS training programs. This language simply clarifies that IDPH has authority to oversee EMS training programs. The bill also makes technical and conforming changes.

###


Printer-friendly version      Send this article to a friend      Share