Iowa House Bill HF935

Iowa 2025-2026 Regular Session

• Introduced: 3/12/25
• Refer: 4/3/25

Caption

A bill for an act relating to medical personnel authorized to withdraw a specimen of blood from a person suspected of operating while intoxicated.(Formerly HSB 171.)

Impact

The revised legislation will potentially make it easier for law enforcement to obtain necessary blood samples without being limited to only a small group of highly specialized medical professionals. By allowing more personnel to perform blood withdrawals at the request of peace officers, HF935 is positioned to expedite the process of determining alcohol concentration or drug presence in suspected DUI cases. This modification could lead to a higher rate of compliance with testing procedures when dealing with DUI suspects, ultimately affecting how these cases are prosecuted and adjudicated in courts across Iowa.

Summary

House File 935, also known as HF935, seeks to amend the current regulations regarding which medical personnel may withdraw blood specimens from individuals suspected of operating a vehicle while intoxicated. The bill expands the list of qualified personnel to include licensed practical nurses, medical laboratory technicians, phlebotomists, and other individuals authorized by a designated medical director, in addition to the previously allowed physicians and registered nurses. This change aims to increase the number of trained professionals capable of handling blood withdrawals in such legal contexts, which could facilitate quicker tests and reduce wait times for law enforcement when dealing with suspected DUI incidents.

Contention

While the bill is largely aimed at improving efficiency within the law enforcement and judicial processes, there may be concerns about the safety and training of the expanded group of individuals permitted to conduct blood withdrawals. Some may argue that the standards for who qualifies to draw blood need to be carefully regulated to ensure that the procedures are not only quick but also adhere to the highest health and safety standards. The provision that protects authorized personnel from civil or criminal liability, except in cases of negligence, has also sparked discussions on the adequacy of oversight regarding medical procedures in DUI testing scenarios.