Iowa 2023-2024 Regular Session

Iowa Senate Bill SSB1139

Introduced
2/7/23  
Introduced
2/7/23  

Caption

A bill for an act relating to the health and well-being of children and families including provisions for maternal support and fatherhood initiatives, regional centers of excellence, a state-funded family medicine obstetrics fellowship program, state employee parental leave, adoption expenses under the adoption subsidy program, and accessibility to the all Iowa scholarship program; making appropriations; and including effective date and applicability provisions.(See SF 324.)

Impact

One significant impact of SSB1139 is its provision for fatherhood engagement grants, which will facilitate support for fathers in various aspects, including employment and child development education. Additionally, the bill includes a state-funded family medicine obstetrics fellowship program designed to increase the presence of qualified health professionals in rural and underserved areas. By investing in fellowships and targeting significant population needs, SSB1139 aims to improve access to maternal healthcare significantly, addressing disparities in health outcomes in these regions.

Summary

Senate Study Bill 1139 (SSB1139) is a comprehensive legislative proposal aimed at enhancing the health and wellbeing of children and families in Iowa. The bill includes various provisions starting with the More Options for Maternal Support (MOMS) program, which focuses on providing pregnancy support services to both women and men involved in pregnancies. Notably, this encompasses informative resources, counseling, and direct assistance for expectant parents, as well as establishing a virtual clearinghouse for accessible pregnancy support services. This shift intends to empower families in making informed choices regarding childbirth, adoption, and parenting.

Additional

Furthermore, the bill enhances the adoption subsidy program, allowing for a maximum reimbursement increase for nonrecurring adoption expenses. This adjustment is anticipated to ease the financial burdens on adoptive parents, promoting more adoptions of children with special needs. Overall, SSB1139 has the potential to significantly reshape Iowa's approach to family health and welfare, while ensuring greater support for both mothers and fathers during critical stages of child development.

Contention

The inclusion of paid parental leave for state employees, offering up to four weeks for birth mothers and one week for non-birthing parents, marks another key provision. This aims to enhance family support during critical early bonding periods. However, the allocation of funds, which designates $2 million for maternal support programs and $1 million for regional centers of excellence, may spark discussions on budget priorities, especially considering the immediate financial implications on the state budget. The bill's comprehensive nature may also raise concerns around the adequacy of resources to effectively administer the proposed initiatives.

Companion Bills

IA SF324

Replaced by A bill for an act relating to the health and well-being of children and families including provisions for maternal support and fatherhood initiatives, regional centers of excellence, a state-funded family medicine obstetrics fellowship program, state employee parental leave, adoption expenses under the adoption subsidy program, and accessibility to the all Iowa scholarship program; making appropriations; and including effective date and applicability provisions.(Formerly SSB 1139.)

Previously Filed As

IA SSB1237

A bill for an act relating to and making appropriations to the department of veterans affairs and the department of health and human services, and related provisions and appropriations, including aging and disability services; behavioral health, public health, community access and eligibility; the medical assistance program, state supplementary assistance, Hawki, and other health-related programs; family well-being and protection; state-operated specialty care; administration and compliance; transfers, cash flows, and nonreversions; prior appropriations; the beer and liquor control fund, and the behavioral health fund; report on nonreversion of moneys; emergency rules; more options for maternal support program; and a hospital directed payment program; and including effective date and retroactive applicability provisions.(See SF 649.)

IA SF649

A bill for an act relating to and making appropriations to the department of veterans affairs and the department of health and human services, and related provisions and appropriations, including aging and disability services; behavioral health, public health, community access and eligibility; the medical assistance program, state supplementary assistance, Hawki, and other health-related programs; family well-being and protection; state-operated specialty care; administration and compliance; transfers, cash flows, and nonreversions; prior appropriations; the beer and liquor control fund, and the behavioral health fund; report on nonreversion of moneys; emergency rules; more options for maternal support program; and a hospital directed payment program; and including effective date and retroactive applicability provisions.(Formerly SSB 1237.)

IA SF2381

A bill for an act relating to nonmedical pregnancy resource centers, making appropriations, and including effective date provisions.

IA HF2735

A bill for an act relating to programs administered by the Iowa finance authority including the firsthome program and home ownership assistance program for military members, making appropriations, and including effective date provisions.

IA SSB1228

A bill for an act relating to and making appropriations for veterans and health and human services, and related provisions and appropriations, including aging and disability services, behavioral health, public health, community access and eligibility, health-related programs, reimbursement rates, family well-being and protection, state-operated specialty care, the beer and liquor control fund, and the behavioral health fund, and including effective date and retroactive applicability provisions.

IA SSB3140

A bill for an act relating to the supplemental nutrition assistance program, the medical assistance program, the Iowa health and wellness plan, and other programs under the purview of the department of health and human services and including effective date provisions.(See SF 2422.)

IA SSB3192

A bill for an act relating to and making appropriations to the department of veterans affairs and the department of health and human services, including aging and disability services, behavioral health, public health, and community access and eligibility; the medical assistance program, state supplementary assistance, Hawki, and other health-related programs; family well-being and protection; state-operated specialty care; administration and compliance; prior appropriations; child welfare and juvenile justice decategorization; commitment or hospitalization of certain persons with mental illness or substance abuse disorders; child abuse prevention; creation of a comprehensive family support program; and repeal of expenditure projections for state child care assistance and adoption subsidy programs; and including effective date and retroactive applicability provisions.(See SF 2483.)

IA SF2422

A bill for an act relating to public assistance programs under the purview of the department of health and human services, including the supplemental nutrition assistance program, Medicaid, and the Iowa health and wellness plan, and including effective date provisions. (Formerly SSB 3140.) Effective date: Enactment, 01/01/2027.

IA SF2483

A bill for an act relating to and making appropriations to the department of veterans affairs and the department of health and human services, including aging and disability services, behavioral health, public health, and community access and eligibility; the medical assistance program, state supplementary assistance, Hawki, and other health-related programs; family well-being and protection; state-operated specialty care; administration and compliance; prior appropriations; child welfare and juvenile justice decategorization; commitment or hospitalization of certain persons with mental illness or substance abuse disorders; child abuse prevention; creation of a comprehensive family support program; and repeal of expenditure projections for state child care assistance and adoption subsidy programs; and including effective date and retroactive applicability provisions.(Formerly SSB 3192.)

IA SSB1163

A bill for an act relating to health care including a funding model for the rural health care system; the elimination of several health care-related award, grant, residency, and fellowship programs; establishment of a health care professional incentive program; Medicaid graduate medical education; the health facilities council; and the Iowa health information network, making appropriations, and including effective date provisions.(See SF 575, SF 618.)

Similar Bills

No similar bills found.