Eight of 10 medical or dental students enrolled at University of Iowa would need to be Iowa residents or meet related requirements under legislation sent Tuesday to the governor’s desk. (Photo via Getty Images)
Lawmakers sent bills to the governor’s desk Tuesday creating residency requirements for the University of Iowa medical and dental schools and a scholarship program for Iowa National Guard members, as well as advancing separate bills dealing with higher education.
The House gave final approval to House File 516, requiring the University of Iowa doctor of medicine and dental programs to enroll at least 80% resident students or those who meet other qualifications. The House concurred with an amendment from the Senate and passed the legislation with a vote of 61-30.
Rep. Heather Matson, D-Ankeny, expressed concerns that language in the amended bill requiring the UI to report to the General Assembly why certain students weren’t accepted is a legislative overreach, but added she understands how “reasonable people can have disagreements on this policy.”
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Rep. Ann Meyer, R-Fort Dodge, said language in the bill is based on similar legislation in Minnesota, Georgia, Texas and South Dakota.
“The public institution should be required to provide public information regarding policies,” Meyer said. “This is a part of a package of growing our own training physicians and retaining them.”
National Guard scholarships
House File 117, which would establish a professional qualification scholarship program for members of the National Guard, also awaits Reynolds’ signature after receiving unanimous votes in the House and Senate.
Sen. Sandy Salmon, R-Janesville, said during closing remarks on the bill more and more prospective National Guard members are seeking certifications rather than four-year degrees in areas like technology and health care, and the new program will give the Guard a new tool for recruitment.
“Offering this program will help our National Guard to be able to better recruit individuals and assist them with an education that will help meet the needs of the Guard as well as the desires of the service members,” Salmon said.
Accommodations for pregnant students
Senate File 288 would require state universities and community colleges to provide reasonable accommodations for pregnant students or those who have recently given birth, including allowing students to reschedule tests and assignments as well as take a leave of absence without penalty.
Pregnant students and new parents would also be allowed extra time to complete tests and degree programs if needed, according to the legislation.
An amendment introduced by Rep. Tracy Ehlert, D-Cedar Rapids, to include students with chronic illnesses and other qualifications to the bill failed to pass. She said the bill without the amendment was a good step in recognizing the diversity of Iowa university students, but it doesn’t go far enough.
“Let’s ensure that all students are successful during … their college career,” Ehlert said.
Floor manager Rep. Bob Henderson, R-Sioux City, also introduced an amendment defining qualifying students as “biologically female” and removing language setting a 12-month timeframe for some of the listed accommodations and replacing it with a reasonable amount of time decided upon by the student and institution.
The amendment passed and the legislation was sent back to the Senate with a unanimous vote.
“We have the opportunity to pass a bill here that provides an opportunity for everybody, both the institution for academic integrity, as well as obviously, for students who are pregnant or with children,” Henderson said.
Data reporting and employee contracts
House File 890 would shift program-level data reporting by community colleges to the Iowa Department of Education and have the Iowa Department of Administrative Services and Department of Education develop an annual compensation schedule and set employee benefits for all employees of the Iowa Educational Services for the Blind and Visually Impaired and Iowa School for the Deaf.
An amendment introduced by floor manager Sen. Jeff Taylor and adopted by the Senate clarified the applicability of community college instructor contract terms, Taylor said. The amendment and legislation passed unanimously and the bill returns to the House for consideration of the Senate amendment.