HF 236 (LSB 2062YH (3) 90)

HOUSE FILE 236

BY  SHIPLEY

A BILL FOR

An Act relating to a vitamin and mineral sufficiency public awareness program.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF IOWA:

    Section 1.  NEW SECTION.  135.39F  Vitamin and mineral sufficiency public awareness program —— vitamin “D” supplementation.
   1.  The department shall develop and implement an evidence-based vitamin and mineral sufficiency public awareness program to provide an integrated approach to vitamin and mineral sufficiency in the population. The program shall do all of the following:
   a.  Educate the general public about the science and benefits of adequate levels of vitamins and minerals. The department shall publish guidelines that specify the risk factors associated with specific vitamin and mineral deficiencies, how specific deficiencies manifest in various populations, the symptoms and health risks associated with specific deficiencies, the recommended dietary allowance for each vitamin and mineral, and food and other sources of the specific vitamin or mineral.
   b.  Provide for the evaluation of members of the public for vitamin and mineral deficiencies at no cost to the public.
   c.  Provide access to members of the public to vitamin “D” supplementation from September 21 through March 21, annually, at no cost to the public. The department shall provide information to the public regarding the importance of vitamin “D” sufficiency to immune health and the role of vitamin “D” sufficiency in reducing mortality and hospitalization resulting from COVID-19 and respiratory illnesses.
   2.  The department shall establish outcome measures to determine if the program results in a decreased prevalence of vitamin and mineral deficiencies in the population and if adjustments should be made to the program. The department shall submit a report regarding the outcomes and any recommendations for program adjustments to the governor and the general assembly, annually, by January 15.
EXPLANATION
The inclusion of this explanation does not constitute agreement with

the explanation’s substance by the members of the general assembly.
   This bill directs the department of health and human services (HHS or the department) to develop and implement an evidence-based vitamin and mineral sufficiency public awareness program to provide an integrated approach to vitamin and mineral sufficiency in Iowa. The elements of the program include: educating the general public about the science and benefits of adequate levels of vitamins and minerals; providing for the evaluation of members of the public for vitamin and mineral deficiencies at no cost to the public; and providing vitamin D supplementation from September 21 through March 21, annually, to the public at no cost, as well as information regarding the importance of vitamin D sufficiency to immune health and its role in reducing mortality and hospitalization resulting from COVID-19 and respiratory illnesses.
   The department shall establish outcome measures to determine if the program results in a decreased prevalence of vitamin and mineral deficiencies in the population and if adjustments should be made to the program, and shall submit an annual report regarding the outcomes and any recommendations for program adjustments to the governor and the general assembly.