Iowa Military Legislation & Policies

Latest Status

Military Spouse Employment and Economic Opportunities (Respiratory Care Interstate Compact): Iowa Floor Vote

Demographic Data

State residents include:

1,561 active-duty service members
612 active-duty spouses
1,317 active-duty children
13,256 National Guard and reserve members
5,694 National Guard and reserve spouses
9,758 National Guard and reserve children

Data source: DMDC, Aug. 31, 2024.

Michelle Richart

Midwest Regional Liaison

Midwest Region

CO, IA, KS, ND, NE, SD

EMAIL

Ms. Richart became Midwest region liaison in 2023. Prior to joining the DSLO, she practiced law in the defense, corporate and nonprofit sectors and volunteered in a variety of military family advocacy and policy positions. Ms. Richart is a military spouse and graduate of the Nebraska College of Law.

State-Specific Progress on State Policy Priorities and Sub-Priorities

See the latest status on legislation and policies being advanced in this state on state policy priorities important to military families. Find quick access to this state’s regional liaison, along with demographic data for the military community in this state.

No Action
Bill introduced
Priority advanced
Policy Passed
VIEW ALL

Access to Quality Child Care

HOUSE

SENATE

ENACTED

Military Spouse Employment and Economic Opportunities8/17 Sub-priorities passed

SUB-PRIORITIES

HOUSE

SENATE

ENACTED

Advanced Practice Registered Nurse Compact

Audiology/Speech-Language Pathology Interstate Compact

02/23/2021HF 500

05/24/2022

Audiology/Speech-Language Pathology Interstate Compact Final Legislation

Iowa Governor signed the Audiology and Speech Language Pathology Interstate Compact

For more information, view the full legislative or policy details.

Cosmetology Licensure Compact

Dental and Dental Hygienist Compact

04/17/2023HF 656

03/13/2023HF 656

04/26/2023

Dental and Dental Hygienist Compact Final Legislation

A bill for an act establishing the dentist and dental hygienist compact. (Formerly HSB 220.)

For more information, view the full legislative or policy details.

Dietitian Licensure Compact

03/04/2025HF 532

04/14/2025HF 532

Emergency Medical Services Licensure Compact

04/25/2019HF694

03/21/2019HF694

05/08/2019

Emergency Medical Services Licensure Compact Final Legislation

A bill establishing an emergency medical services personnel licensure interstate compact.

For more information, view the full legislative or policy details.

Interstate Massage Therapy Compact

Interstate Teacher Mobility Compact

Licensed Professional Counseling Compact

04/10/2023HF671

04/24/2023SF127

06/01/2023

Licensed Professional Counseling Compact Final Legislation

Professional counselors licensure compact

For more information, view the full legislative or policy details.

Nurse Licensure Compact

04/23/2017

Nurse Licensure Compact Final Legislation

Allows licensed nurses with eNL issued outside of IA to work inside IA on their existing license.

For more information, view the full legislative or policy details.

Occupational Therapy Licensure Compact

03/17/2021SF 463

02/28/2021SF 463

05/24/2022

Occupational Therapy Licensure Compact Final Legislation

Occupational Therapy Compact Enacted.

For more information, view the full legislative or policy details.

Physical Therapy Licensure Compact

03/28/2018HB-2425

02/14/2018HB-2425

04/04/2018

Physical Therapy Licensure Compact Final Legislation

Bill allows the Physical Therapy Licensing Compact (PTLC) to operate in Iowa. So anyone entering Iowa with a PTLC and comes from a PTLC state may go right to work on their current license.

For more information, view the full legislative or policy details.

Physician Associates Compact

03/10/2025HF300

02/13/2025SF312

Psychology Interjurisdictional Compact

02/05/2025HF255

Social Work Licensure Compact

02/01/2024HF 2272

02/21/2024HF2512

05/03/2024

Social Work Licensure Compact Final Legislation

Social work interstate occupational compact

For more information, view the full legislative or policy details.

Interstate Compact for School Psychologists

Respiratory Care Interstate Compact

03/12/2025HF 547

04/24/2025HF 547

Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting

HOUSE

SENATE

ENACTED

Concurrent Juvenile Jurisdiction

HOUSE

SENATE

ENACTED

State Support for Military Families With Special Education Needs0/2 Sub-priorities passed

SUB-PRIORITIES

HOUSE

SENATE

ENACTED

Minimize Delays

02/28/2025HF 629

Reduce Burdens

Open Enrollment Flexibility

HOUSE

SENATE

ENACTED

06/01/1990

Open Enrollment Flexibility Final Legislation

Statewide open enrollment in Iowa has no deadline for enrollment with good cause shown, to include moving. Iowa also offers stability placement. SF2306 from 1990 - https://www.legis.iowa.gov/docs/publications/LGI/73/SF2306.pdf

For more information, view the full legislative or policy details.

Defining Armed Forces in State Policy

HOUSE

SENATE

ENACTED

02/03/2021

Defining Armed Forces in State Policy Final Legislation

Added Space Force to the definition of "Federal Active Duty"

For more information, view the full legislative or policy details.

State Response to Military Interpersonal Violence1/3 Sub-priorities passed

SUB-PRIORITIES

HOUSE

SENATE

ENACTED

Recognize MPOs

Increase Peace Officer Responsibilities

Allow Virtual Appearance or Provide Victim Travel Funds

09/07/2023

Allow Virtual Appearance or Provide Victim Travel Funds Final Legislation

This statute allows for a party or judge to file a motion for a remote proceeding when specific grounds are listed.

For more information, view the full legislative or policy details.

Military Community Representation on State Boards and Councils0/4 Sub-priorities passed

SUB-PRIORITIES

HOUSE

SENATE

ENACTED

Military Affairs

Nutrition and Food Security

Economic and Workforce Development

Early Childhood Education and Childcare

Remote Driver's License and Vehicle Registration Renewal2/2 Sub-priorities passed

SUB-PRIORITIES

HOUSE

SENATE

ENACTED

Driver's License

01/01/2020

Driver's License Final Legislation

The State of Iowa permits online renewal of driver licenses for all persons who otherwise qualify. Please see https://iowadot.gov/mvd/driverslicense/driverslicense/RenewalandReplacementRequirements.

For more information, view the full legislative or policy details.

Vehicle Registration

01/01/2020

Vehicle Registration Final Legislation

The State of Iowa provides for remote renewal of vehicle registrations for all individuals.

For more information, view the full legislative or policy details.

Status and Demographic Content

State Details

Regional Liaison

Other Content

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State Policy Priorities 2025

Status and Demographic Content

State Details

Regional Liaison

Other Content

Map Legend

State Policy Priorities 2025

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