(Des Moines) Iowa House District 21 Representative Tom Moore highlights several bills that passed through the Iowa House this week.
Moore said the House passed two pieces of legislation to support sexual assault victims.
“HF 426 establishes an automated tracking system for sexual assault evidence kits. It also requires that victims be notified if a DNA match is found for their assailant. HF 603 creates the Sexual Assault Forensic Examiner Program. This program will train and certify medical professionals to provide medical forensic services. This includes analyzing sexual assault abuse kits,” explained Moore.
The House passed the Telehealth Parity Bill with a vote of 95-1. This bill requires insurance providers to reimburse tele-mental health services at the same rate as mental health services provided in person.
The Educator Licensure Renewal Bill allows teachers to use professional development plans and courses to satisfy up to half of their licensure renewal credit.
The house passed the Child Care Tax Credit bill with a vote of 91-2. This bill provides additional tax credits for employers who provide child care facilities for their employees. It has a specific focus on areas of Iowa that are economically distressed.
The House passed the Child Care Facility Tax Credit with a vote of 86-6. This bill provides tax credits to developers of new or rehabilitated child care facilities.
“This was our 8th child care bill passed this session. House Republicans are committed to ensuring everyone has the opportunity of affordable child care,” said Moore.
Moore also noted that the Nishna Valley Family YMCA in Atlantic received grant money to renovate existing space to provide 21 more child care slots by the end of 2021. He said the DHS has awarded $203,331, and the Child Care Challenge Award was $3,680, for a total of $207,011. In total DHS child care grants have totaled $12,052,958 and Child Care Challenge grant awards have totaled $1,000,414. This is a combined total of $13,053,372 that should create 4,024 new child care slots in Iowa.
