A bill for an act relating to physical examinations of personnel working in licensed or registered child care facilities.(See HF 390.)
Impact
If enacted, HSB7 would significantly alter the landscape of employment practices in Iowa's child care facilities. By removing the preemployment physical examination requirement, the bill could potentially facilitate a quicker hiring process. This change is expected to reduce costs related to hiring and increase the flexibility of personnel management within these facilities. However, the implications of this bill extend to the health and safety considerations for children, as the prior requirement was in place to ensure that staff members were free from communicable diseases and in good health to care for children adequately.
Summary
House Study Bill 7 (HSB7) proposes an amendment to the current law requiring personnel in licensed child care facilities to undergo preemployment physical examinations. The bill seeks to eliminate the requirement for these physical exams, which are mandated to demonstrate good health before employment begins. Currently, this law stipulates that such exams be performed by licensed physicians or physician assistants, and include communicable disease testing along with a repeated check every three years. The goal of HSB7 is to reduce the regulatory burden on these facilities by allowing them to prioritize hiring based on factors other than preemployment health checks.
Contention
While supporters of HSB7 argue that the bill will ease employment processes and help fill positions more swiftly in an industry that often struggles with workforce shortages, critics may raise concerns about safeguarding children's health. The removal of health checks could lead to potential risks, particularly if it allows individuals with communicable diseases to work in close proximity to children. This situation poses a dilemma of balancing employment ease against the health welfare of children in care. Discussions around this bill may likely involve contrasting views from child welfare advocates and those focusing on operational efficiency in child care settings.
Replaced by
A bill for an act relating to physical examinations of personnel working in licensed or registered child care facilities. (Formerly HSB 7.) Effective date: 07/01/2025.
A bill for an act relating to aid, processes, services, and support staff for children in, adopted from, or in need of foster care, and making appropriations.(See HF 2671.)
A bill for an act relating to child care center staff requirements for providing unsupervised child care to children up to five years of age.(See HF 2305.)