IA legislative proposals in subcommittee hearings
by Diocese of Des Moines | January 30, 2024
Here’s what the Iowa Catholic Conference – the official public policy voice of the bishops of Iowa -- is watching at the Iowa Capitol.
By Tom Chapman
Bills pass first hurdle
An Iowa Senate subcommittee has passed the “Med Act” (SSB 3006), a bill to protect health care personnel from being required to provide a health care treatment if they regard the treatment as being harmful.
The director of the bioethics program at the University of Iowa’s medical school, Dr. Lauris Kaldjian, testified in support of the bill, saying: “As a society, if we want to respect moral diversity and moral freedom in our communities, we need to protect health care professionals and institutions from being forced into moral compromises that cut against the core of who they are.” The ICC also spoke in support of SSB 3006. It is now eligible for consideration by the full Senate Judiciary Committee.
This week at the State Capitol
Subcommittees in the Iowa House are scheduled to consider bills related to migration this week.
One such bill is HF 2112, which relates to the smuggling of persons as well as qualifications for government benefits. The Church does not encourage illegal immigration as it is sometimes not good for the migrant, who might live in fear of public authorities and the people who brought them here, or for society. The Church supports the right of a sovereign nation to control its borders, and we understand the situation at the southern border cannot continue as it has.
That being said, the ICC has registered against HF 2112. The first part of the bill sets up a redundant system to check if people are qualified for benefits. There is no objection to the principle that only people who qualify should receive benefits. The problem here is that in a mixed-case household – where some people are citizens and some are not authorized to be here – the person who has to apply on behalf of their children might be too scared by the process to do it.
The second part of the bill defines smuggling of persons as “Encourage or induce a person to enter or remain in the United States in violation of federal law by concealing, harboring, or shielding that person from detection.” Does “encourage” or “induce” or “harboring” mean providing food or shelter to an immigrant? Does it mean a person sending money home to a family? Those actions should not be out of bounds.
We continue to ask our leaders in Washington, D.C. to ensure “border protection policies that are consistent with humanitarian values while allowing the authorities to carry out the critical task of identifying and preventing entry of terrorists and dangerous criminals.
A subcommittee hearing on a bill to bring back the death penalty, SSB 3085, was on Monday. While it is a duty of the state to punish offenders and defend the common good, the Church opposes reinstatement of the death penalty to send the message that a cycle of violence can be broken without taking yet another life.
Discussions continue with the governor’s office and legislators on clarifying a bill to overhaul the Area Education Agency system, which provides services for special education as well as professional development across the state.
The ICC is registered in support of HSB 614 and SF 2095, the “Religious Freedom Restoration Act (RFRA).” This bill is very similar to the federal law that has been in place since the early 1990s. More than 20 states have a very similar law, and around 10 states have a similar provision due to court action. The bills, introduced last week, provide that government should not substantially burden a person’s exercise of religion, unless applying that burden serves a compelling government interest and is the least restrictive means of furthering that interest. RFRA creates a balancing test in the courts to weigh a person’s right to act consistent with their religion against the government’s desire to pursue its interests in a way that violates that right. This bill doesn’t grant anyone any new rights, and would protect people of all faiths.
Webinar to address federal climate policy
Finally, several Catholic organizations are sponsoring a webinar to discuss their 2024 federal public policy priorities. Sign up here. The webinar will be recorded, and the recording will be sent to all who register.
Get the latest news and information from the Iowa Catholic Conference here.