HF 35 (LSB 1185YH (8) 91)

HOUSE FILE 35

BY  FISHER and BRADLEY

A BILL FOR

An Act relating to postsecondary schools and COVID-19 vaccine exemptions for clinical students.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF IOWA:

    Section 1.  Section 139A.8B, Code 2025, is amended by adding the following new subsection:
   NEW SUBSECTION.  1A.a.  A postsecondary school that offers a degree program that requires completion of a clinical rotation shall, upon request of a student enrolled in the degree program, identify a clinical rotation placement at which the student will be permitted an exemption from any COVID-19 vaccination requirement imposed by the placement location during the duration of the student’s clinical rotation.
   b.  Notwithstanding section 256.183, a postsecondary school that fails to comply with paragraph “a” shall not qualify as an eligible institution for the purpose of the Iowa tuition grant program under section 256.191.
    Sec. 2.  Section 139A.8B, subsection 2, Code 2025, is amended by adding the following new paragraph:
   NEW PARAGRAPH.  0a.  “Clinical rotation” means the education and experiences a health care student receives while observing and working with a qualified health care professional of a specific profession or specialty for the purpose of completing a degree program.
EXPLANATION
The inclusion of this explanation does not constitute agreement with
the explanation’s substance by the members of the general assembly.
   This bill relates to postsecondary schools and COVID-19 vaccine exemptions for certain clinical students.
   The bill requires a postsecondary school that offers a degree program that requires a clinical rotation to, upon request of a student enrolled in the degree program, identify a clinical rotation placement where the student will be exempt from any COVID-19 vaccine requirement imposed by the placement location. If a postsecondary school fails to comply with the bill, the postsecondary school shall not qualify as an eligible institution for the purpose of the Iowa tuition grant program. Under the program, tuition grants are awarded to Iowa residents enrolled at eligible institutions.