Latest news with #JeffShipley
Yahoo
20-02-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Iowa House bill would ban abortion medications in the state
DES MOINES, Iowa — A bill has been introduced in the Iowa house that would ban abortion medications in the state. Representative Jeff Shipley, a Republican representing District 87, introduced HF 423 on Monday. The bill would make it illegal 'for any person to manufacture, distribute, prescribe, dispense, sell, or transfer' so-called abortifacient drugs, like mifepristone, in the state. Anyone who violates the law would be guilty of a class C felony, which would result in a maximum of 10 years in prison and a fine of at least $1,370 up to $13,660. The bill does not lay out civil or criminal liability for woman who use abortion medications. The bill has been referred to the Health and Human Services Committee. Another bill regarding abortion was also introduced on Monday. HSB 186 would require all health facilities where abortions are performed to display signage that would outline the effectiveness of abortion medications. What the new Real ID will & won't do, and where & how to get it The bill states the signs should say 'recent developing research has indicated that a medication abortion utilizing an abortion-inducing drug is not always effective in ending a pregnancy. It may be possible to avoid, cease, or even to reverse the intended effects of a medication abortion that utilizes an abortion-inducing drug. Please consult with a health care professional immediately.' Claims have been made that medication abortions can be reversed using high amounts of progesterone; however, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists as well as the Center for Disease Control, say medication abortion reversal is not supported by science, and doesn't meet clinical standards. Medication abortions are also known to be over 90% effective and safe, according to the ACOG, FDA, and other authorities. HSB 186 would also require physicians performing medication abortions to inform the patient of the side effects and the controversial treatment of medication abortion reversal, and would require written consent from the patient. A Health and Human Services subcommittee meeting for HSB 186 has been scheduled for February 25 at 12 p.m. in room 19 at the Iowa State Captiol. Iowa News: Iowa Farm Sanctuary details likely cause of Phill the water buffalo's death Iowa House bill would ban abortion medications in the state Gabe on the Go: A floating oasis in Corning 'Forgetting to Remember': Norwalk family shares Alzheimer's experience What the new Real ID will & won't do, and where & how to get it Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
18-02-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Bill would add nutrition, natural light provisions to therapeutic classroom grants
(Photo by) Schools could use state grant funding for therapeutic classrooms to provide access to vitamin and mineral supplementals, 'minimally processed whole foods' and exposure to natural light under a bill advanced by a House subcommittee Monday. The legislation, introduced by Rep. Jeff Shipley, R-Birmingham, deals with Iowa's Therapeutic Classroom Grant. The grants provide funding through the state Department of Education for schools seeking to create or improve spaces that are designated for students who have emotional, social or behavioral needs that keep them from being successful or cause disruption to other students in the general classroom. Therapeutic classrooms are separate spaces where school staff can provide support to these students until they can return to the classroom. Therapeutic classrooms are not required in Iowa schools, but the grant program, established in 2020, provides funding for schools that want to create or improve these spaces. House File 114 proposes amending the grant program to specify what types of support would be available in therapeutic classrooms. The legislation includes several food and nutrient components, specifically providing support and access to vitamins D and K2, whole foods including 'eggs, full-fat dairy products, beef and bacon,' as well as restricting the use and availability of artificial or synthetic food additives 'that may have an adverse effect on activity and attention in students.' The bill also calls for increasing students' exposure to natural light or light emitted by 'full spectrum lighting fixtures,' and support that would lessen the impacts of excessive screen use. A larger provision allows funding for schools 'carrying out any other scientifically supported initiative that a school district reasonably believes will improve emotional, social and behavioral health outcomes among students.' Nathaniel Arnold with the Professional Educators of Iowa said the organization was grateful to see the bill brought forward as it looks to factors like nutrition that could contribute to students' behavioral or mental health problems. 'The reason we're grateful for the bill is that it acknowledges some of the root causes of the behavioral challenges teachers are facing,' Arnold said. 'Too often we see teachers are blamed when a student attacks them, or blamed for students' misbehavior issues. I think this bill does good job of acknowledging that we're in the midst of a public health crisis, which is a huge contributing factor to behavioral problems in the classroom.' Dave Daughton, representing the School Administrators of Iowa and Rural School Advocates of Iowa, said that while there are some 'good ideas and good suggestions' on support available through therapeutic classrooms in the bill, the bill's language would mean these provisions would be required — a major cost to schools seeking to provide these support spaces. Shipley said that was not the intent of the bill and was open to clarifying that the measure was to have the Department of Education reimburse schools that enact these supports. But Rep. Elinor Levin, D-Iowa City, said she was concerned about the bill as a directive on classroom management coming from lawmakers instead of from school districts or the education department — especially as the legislation does not provide new funding. 'I'm not sure it is appropriate for it to be coming from the Legislature, and I foresee it having a significant financial impact on districts as written,' Levin said. Shipley said the goal was not to require schools to implement the listed components in therapeutic classrooms but allow for grant program funding, which he said was appropriated through the Legislature each year since 2020. 'We're certainly open to clarifying that, and thankfully, this program does have existing funding that we hope will continue this budget cycle as well,' Shipley said. 'So anyway, this will be interesting to see how this idea progresses. Like I said, a lot of school districts are incorporating one aspect or another, but I think it's very important when addressing children's behavioral needs, that we have every single conceivable tool in the toolbox, because that's what our educators and our children deserve.'
Yahoo
11-02-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Bill would penalize university nonimmigrant visa-holders for pro-terrorism language
Rep. Jeff Shipley, R-Birmingham, brought both support for and concerns about a bill penalizing nonimmigrant visa-holders for supporting terrorist activities on campus. He is shown here at a Jan. 31 subcommittee meeting. (Photo by Robin Opsahl/Iowa Capital Dispatch) A bill to penalize nonimmigrant visa-holding students, staff and faculty at public and private universities for 'certain expressions of terrorist activities or organizations' will move to the House Higher Education Committee for further discussion. The measure advanced from an Iowa House subcommittee Tuesday despite questions from two of the three lawmakers on the panel. Rep. Jeff Shipley, R-Birmingham said during the meeting he appreciates the direction of the bill but he has questions about how it would apply in 'real life' and in what is actually being seen on Iowa campuses. 'I think Republican loyalty compels me to sign on now,' Shipley said. 'I appreciate where the bill sponsors came from, I want to keep the discussion alive and I want more people to input … but I think we can do both simultaneously.' Shipley was joined on the subcommittee by Rep. Ross Wilburn, D-Ames and chair Rep. John Wills, R-Spirit Lake. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX House File 115 would have Iowa Board of Regents-governed universities and private colleges in the Iowa Tuition Grant program create policies barring campus community members with a nonimmigrant visa from publicly supporting terrorist organizations or actions, with some exceptions. Penalties would include suspension, expulsion and job termination. They would also be prohibited from encouraging others to express their support for terrorist activity 'related to an ongoing conflict,' according to the bill, or terrorist organizations 'unless it is the policy or practice of the United States to support such activity or organization.' The definitions of terrorist activity and organizations follow U.S. code, according to the bill. If the university conducts an investigation and finds someone to be in their first violation of this policy, the bill states students should be suspended and faculty and staff members' employment should be terminated for at least one year. If found to have violated the policy for a second time, students would be suspended and employees fired permanently. According to the legislation, universities should, immediately after expelling or terminating the employment of someone who has violated the policy, update their records with the Department of Homeland Security to show they are no longer connected to the university. The alleged offender would also be unable to transfer or be hired at another state university or Iowa private college. Private universities found in violation of this policy would become ineligible to receive Iowa Tuition Grant dollars. Jillian Carlson, a state relations officer for the Iowa Board of Regents, said the board is registered 'undecided' on the bill, and would like to see the bill's focus narrowed from incurring penalties for persuading others to show support for terrorist activities 'at any time or place,' according to the bill, to only instances on campus or when using campus resources. Gov. Kim Reynolds said in May 2024 the state would not tolerate campus protests that go 'too far,' referring to pro-Palestine protests that took place in the spring across the U.S. and in Iowa. At the time, Rep. Carter Nordman, R-Panora, said 'unlawful pro-Hamas acts' are 'unacceptable,' and anyone found to violate the law or university policy should face immediate consequences. Shipley said he believes this bill would address a real problem on college campuses, but he'd like to see a clear definition of terrorism and how it would apply to people's language added to the legislation. The Legislature should make it transparent what counts as unlawful language and what the consequences of expressing that language are. The language in the bill that states staff cannot persuade others to 'support a terrorist organization unless it is the policy or practice of the United States to support such activity or organization' could be seen as revealing a political bias in the legislation, Shipley said. 'I think that does reveal the kind of political bias or hypocrisy that a left-wing person could accurately say, 'Oh, this is, you know, American imperial hubris that we're supposed to support terrorist organizations around the world if they're furthering our geopolitical ends,' Shipley said. Wilburn joined Shipley in having questions on the bill's language and what exactly it prohibits, though he said during the meeting he would not support its moving ahead as it's not ready for 'prime time.' With the goal of the new higher education committee to enact a review of higher education in Iowa, Wilburn said there is no rush to get this bill, which presents a specific action being taken by the Legislature, moved ahead. 'There's no hurry on this, and … when I say there's no hurry, again, if someone is inciting a riot and citing threats to our country or citizens or visitors who are in our country, they'd contact law enforcement,' Wilburn said. Wills said he is interested in taking a look at the amendment mentioned by Carlson, but he didn't guarantee it would be brought forward for adoption. With its passage, the bill will move to the higher education committee. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE
