Iowa House Bill HSB120

Iowa 2025-2026 Regular Session

• Introduced: 2/3/25
• Refer: 2/3/25

Caption

A bill for an act enacting the respiratory care interstate compact.(See HF 547.)

Impact

HSB120 introduces significant changes to state laws regarding the licensure and practice of respiratory therapists. It preserves the states' rights to regulate the profession while offering a framework for interstate practice that prioritizes public health and safety. One of the key objectives is to enhance cooperation among states in the regulation of respiratory therapy. By establishing minimum standards for licensure, the compact aims to address workforce shortages while promoting mobility for therapists, particularly those in military families.

Summary

House Study Bill 120 (HSB120) aims to enact the Respiratory Care Interstate Compact to facilitate the practice of respiratory therapy across state lines. The compact permits respiratory therapists licensed in one member state to practice in other participating states, thereby improving public access to respiratory therapy services. This measure is intended to simplify the regulatory process for licensees by allowing them to retain their license while practicing in multiple states, ultimately working to alleviate pediatric and adult respiratory care gaps as patients move or travel for various reasons.

Contention

While supporters argue that HSB120 will streamline services and improve healthcare accessibility, there are concerns about how it might affect regulatory authority and local practices. Critics worry that standardizing licensure may undermine varying state requirements which could lead to a decline in quality control and oversight. This discourse touches upon broader questions of local governance versus state-level regulation, particularly in healthcare settings where community specifications may differ significantly from one state to another.