HF 2109 – E-Cigarettes – Prohibition of Sale to Minors
SF 2293– Physician Assistants and Temporary Civil Commitment
HF 2378 – Provisional License in Psychology
HF 2379 – Crisis Stabilization Program Authorization
HF 2417 – Mental Health & Disability Services Redesign Clean-Up
FLOOR ACTION:
SF 2293 allows physician assistants to immediately contact magistrates for a temporary order for civil commitment when a person is presented at a hospital or a mental health or substance abuse treatment facility who is found to be seriously mentally impaired and may physically injure his/herself or others if not immediately detained. Currently, only a physician or advanced registered nurse practitioner can contact a magistrate following the assessment. Under the bill, the findings of a physician assistant must be approved by a physician. [3/11: 48-0 (Ernst, Houser excused)]
COMMITTEE ACTION:
HF 2109’s goal is to ban the sale of e-cigarettes to minors. The bill defines vapor products (e-cigarettes) and alternative nicotine products. The sale of vapor products and alternative nicotine products to and possession by those younger than 18 is prohibited. Retail permitting processes and enforcement by the Alcoholic Beverages Division are updated to align with processes used for cigarettes and tobacco products. Law enforcement processes and penalties align with those currently applicable to cigarettes and tobacco products. The bill contains a provision that specifies that nothing in the bill is to be construed to prohibit the Department of Revenue from collecting taxes imposed on cigarettes or tobacco products currently taxed. The Committee passed a strike-after amendment that mirrors HF 2019 but does not define alternative nicotine products and defines simulated smoking device that can deliver nicotine or other similar substance intended for human consumption. [3/12: short form (Ernst excused)]
HF 2378 allows a person who possesses a doctoral degree in psychology to apply for a provisional license to practice psychology under the supervision of a licensed psychologist in accordance with rules promulgated by the Board of Psychology for up to two years. The provisional license can be renewed and the Board will set application fees at a level sufficient to cover administrative costs. One of the conditions of licensure by the Board of Psychology is that a person with a doctoral degree in psychology must complete a one-year postgraduate internship. Provisional licensure would allow the intern’s time to be eligible for reimbursement by health care payers. [3/12: short form (Ernst excused)]
HF 2379 directs the Department of Human Services (DHS) to accredit, certify or apply standards of review to authorize the operation of crisis stabilization programs. DHS is directed to apply relevant requirements for an emergency mental health crisis services provider and system in Iowa Code Section 225C.19. Emergency mental health crisis services system is defined as a coordinated array of crisis services for providing a response to assist a child or adult who is experiencing a mental health crisis or who is in a situation that is reasonably likely to cause the individual to have a mental health crisis unless assistance is provided. The bill specifies that the programs do not need to be licensed like hospitals (Chapter 135B), health care facilities (Chapter 135C), subacute mental health care facilities (Chapter 135G), or certified as an assisted living program (Chapter 231C). DHS is directed to adopt rules to implement the bill and is required to accept a crisis stabilization program’s accreditation by a national accrediting organization in lieu of applying the standards developed by DHS. [3/12: short form (Ernst excused)]
HF 2417 makes technical changes through the Iowa Code to conform to legislation in recent years concerning mental health and disability services (MHDS) reform efforts. The bill replaces references to central points of contact with MHDS regions, clarifies new payment structures and responsibilities between various governmental entities, corrects fund names, and adds definitions where relevant. All sections are technical and do not substantively change the MHDS system. [3/12: short from (Ernst excused)]