Planned Parenthood Seeks to Block 24-Hour Abortion Waiting Period in Iowa

Planned Parenthood of the Heartland filed a lawsuit in state court to block the 24-hour abortion waiting period recently passed by the Iowa Legislature.

Iowa Abortion Providers Can Continue Surgical Abortions During COVID-19 Restrictions

Planned Parenthood and Emma Goldman Clinic were informed in a brief filed by the state that Gov. Kim Reynolds’ declaration offers exemptions for some surgical abortions.

Iowa House Bill Mandating Licensure for Abortion Facilities Advances

An Iowa House subcommittee advanced a bill, HSB 678, that requires the state licensure and inspection of individual abortion facilities.

Iowa Senate Panel Approves Amendment Declaring No Right to Abortion

An Iowa Senate subcommittee advanced SJR 21 that would amend the Iowa Constitution to declare there is no constitutional right to abortion.

Pro-Lifers Mobilize to Protect Iowa’s Fetal Heartbeat Law

ACLU of Iowa and the Planned Parenthood Federation of America have filed a lawsuit to stop Iowa’s new fetal heartbeat abortion law from taking effect, The FAMiLY Leader has launched a petition that will be added to an amicus brief so supporters can urge the courts to uphold the law.

Education Savings Accounts Receive New Life in the Iowa Senate

Education savings accounts were reintroduced in the Iowa Senate’s version of the Iowa Student Opportunities Act (SSB 3206) by State Senator Charles Schneider (R-West Des Moines) as an appropriations bill and passed through an appropriations subcommittee.

Religious Freedom Restoration Act Advances in Iowa Senate

Iowa’s version of the Religious Freedom Restoration Act (RFRA) survived the first funnel week of the 2018 legislative session. SSB 3171, sponsored by State Senator Julian Garrett (R-Indianola) was passed out of the Iowa Senate Local Government Committee by a 7 to 4 vote.

Iowa Student Opportunities Act Introduced in Iowa House

HSB 651, the Iowa Student Opportunities Act, was introduced in the Iowa House of Representatives on Thursday. The bill would create an educations savings grant program and a new charter school program to expand school choice for Iowa’s public school families.

Fetal Heartbeat Bill Advances in Iowa Senate

A bill, SSB 3143, that would ban abortions of pre-born babies when a heartbeat is detected passed through its subcommittee in the Iowa Senate on a 2 to 1 vote.

Planned Parenthood of the Heartland & ACLU Missed the Memo

Jenifer Bowen: Planned Parenthood of the Heartland and the ACLU missed the memo sent last November when pro-abortion Iowa Senators lost their majority.

Iowa Senate Passes 20 Week Abortion Ban

The Iowa Senate passed Senate File 471, a 20-week abortion ban, on a 32 to 17 vote that included all Senate Republicans, an Independent and three Democrats.

Republicans Seek to Reform Iowa’s Collective Bargaining Law

Governor Terry Branstad and Iowa Senate and House Republicans seek to reform the state’s collective bargaining law that has not been reviewed since 1974.

Iowa Lawmakers Reach for Local Control of Education

There have been several bills filed in the Iowa House and Senate this year dedicated to devolving the power and control the Iowa Department of Education.

A Wave of Pro-Life Bills Filed in the Iowa Senate

The Iowa Senate with its new GOP majority have six pro-life bills filed including bills defunding abortion providers and banning abortions at 20-weeks.

Iowa Board of Regents Oppose Ban on Trafficking Aborted Infant Remains

The Iowa Board of Regents last week came out in opposition of a bill before the Iowa House that would ban the trafficking of aborted infant remains.

Life at Conception Bill Filed in the Iowa House

HF 2142, a bill that would protect the unborn at the moment of conception introduced into the Iowa House, must be passed out of committee this week.