Iowa 2023-2024 Regular Session

Iowa House Bill HF166

Introduced
2/1/23  
Introduced
2/1/23  

Caption

A bill for an act relating to vaccines, including modifying provisions related to a minor's legal capacity to give consent to the provision of vaccines and provisions related to the instruction provided to students enrolled in school districts, accredited nonpublic schools, and charter schools related to the human papilloma virus.

Impact

The implications of HF166 extend to both health care and education sectors. By altering the consent requirements for vaccinations, schools, health care providers, and parents will need to navigate the updated legal landscape regarding who can consent to immunizations. Additionally, the bill strikes down existing mandates requiring that school health curricula include information about the human papillomavirus (HPV) and its vaccine, thereby potentially reducing awareness and education about important health issues that affect students. This change may lead to decreased HPV vaccination rates if students do not receive appropriate instruction on the benefits and availability of the vaccine.

Summary

House File 166 (HF166) proposes significant modifications to Iowa's existing laws concerning the administration of vaccines to minors and the educational requirements around health instruction in schools. The bill specifically stipulates that minors will not retain the legal capacity to consent to vaccination when it pertains to vaccines listed on the vaccine injury table defined by federal law. This change aims to reinforce the requirement that parental consent is necessary for such vaccinations, which may have implications for public health policy and the autonomy of minors in health-related decisions.

Contention

The bill has generated discussion and contention among various stakeholders, including educators, healthcare professionals, and parents. Critics of HF166 argue that limiting minors' ability to consent could undermine their access to necessary vaccinations that can prevent serious health conditions. Moreover, the removal of specific educational requirements regarding HPV could limit important health education in schools, which advocates fear would increase risks of HPV transmission among adolescents. Proponents of the bill argue that it reinforces parental rights and the ability of families to make health decisions on behalf of minors, positioning it as a protective measure rather than a restrictive one.

Companion Bills

No companion bills found.

Previously Filed As

IA HF187

A bill for an act relating to instruction provided to students enrolled in school districts, accredited nonpublic schools, and charter schools related to the availability of a vaccine to prevent the human papilloma virus.

IA HF597

A bill for an act relating to education, including modifying provisions related to school district library programs and the educational program provided to students enrolled in school districts, accredited nonpublic schools, and charter schools.(Formerly HSB 219.)

IA HSB219

A bill for an act relating to education, including modifying provisions related to school district library programs and the educational program provided to students enrolled in school districts, accredited nonpublic schools, and charter schools.(See HF 597.)

IA HF513

A bill for an act relating to education, including requiring instruction related to persons with disabilities in school districts, accredited nonpublic schools, and charter schools in kindergarten through grade eight, modifying the responsibilities of the state board of education, and modifying provisions related to school district and accredited nonpublic school programs that are designed to eliminate harassment and bullying.

IA SF66

A bill for an act relating to the health and human growth and development instruction provided by school districts and accredited nonpublic schools.

IA SSB1145

A bill for an act relating to children and students, including establishing a parent's or guardian's right to make decisions affecting the parent's or guardian's child, modifying provisions related to student health screenings and the curriculum in school districts, accredited nonpublic schools, and charter schools, other duties of school districts, competent private instruction, and special education, making appropriations, and providing civil penalties.(See SF 496.)

IA HSB222

A bill for an act relating to children and students, including establishing a parent's or guardian's right to make decisions affecting the parent's or guardian's child, modifying provisions related to student health screenings and the curriculum in school districts, accredited nonpublic schools, and charter schools, other duties of school districts, competent private instruction, and special education, making appropriations, and providing civil penalties.

IA HF73

A bill for an act relating to firearm education in schools, including requiring the director of the department of education to develop and distribute age-appropriate model programs for firearm safety instruction and modifying provisions related to the required instruction in public schools and accredited nonpublic schools in grades six through twelve.

IA HF480

A bill for an act relating to the human growth and development instruction provided to students enrolled in grades nine through twelve in school districts, accredited nonpublic schools, and charter schools.

IA SF496

A bill for an act relating to children and students, including establishing a parent's or guardian's right to make decisions affecting the parent's or guardian's child, authorizing the parent or guardian of a student enrolled in a school district to enroll the student in another attendance center within the same school district in certain specified circumstances, prohibiting instruction related to gender identity and sexual orientation in school districts, charter schools, and innovation zone schools in kindergarten through grade six, and modifying provisions related to student health screenings, school district library programs, the educational program provided to students enrolled in school districts, accredited nonpublic schools, and charter schools, other duties of school districts, accredited nonpublic schools, the department of education, the board of educational examiners, and the governing boards of charter schools and innovation zone schools, competent private instruction, and special education, and including effective date provisions. (Formerly SSB 1145.) Effective date: 05/26/2023, 07/01/2023.

Similar Bills

No similar bills found.