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Bill

HF 2788

A bill for an act relating to abortions including definitions, informed consent, dispensing of abortion-inducing drugs, and other abortion-related provisions.

2025-2026 Regular Session

Defines stricter rules for informed consent, dispensing abortion-inducing drugs, and mandatory reporting of related complications.

Signed by Governor.
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Bill Summary · HF 2788

Summary of HF 2788 (Iowa) – 2025-2026 Session

Purpose and Intent

HF 2788 is a bill relating to abortions in Iowa, with a focus on three broad areas:
- Informed consent requirements for abortion procedures
- Regulation and dispensing of abortion-inducing drugs
- Reporting and reporting- related requirements for abortion complications

The bill aims to set specific standards and processes intended to govern how abortion services are provided, how abortion-inducing medications are distributed and used, and how adverse events are tracked and reported.

Key Provisions (Proposed Changes)

While the bill text is not fully provided here, the title and action history indicate the following focal points:

  1. Informed Consent for Abortions

    • Likely imposes or revises requirements for obtaining patient informed consent prior to abortion services.
    • May specify timelines, content that must be disclosed, and method of obtaining consent (e.g., in-person, written, or electronic).
  2. Dispensing Abortion-Inducing Drugs

    • Establishes rules for the dispensing of medications intended to induce abortion (often mifepristone/mine medications used in medical abortion).
    • Could address:
      • Who may dispense (physician, pharmacist, or other licensed providers)
      • Required counseling or follow-up
      • Storage, handling, and record-keeping requirements
      • Pharmacist notification or separation of services
      • Telemedicine restrictions or allowances related to prescribing these drugs
  3. Reporting of Abortion Inducing Drug Complications

    • Introduces or tightens mandatory reporting of complications from abortion-inducing drugs.
    • Specifies the agencies responsible for receiving reports, the elements to be reported (e.g., adverse events, hospital admissions, fatalities), and reporting timelines.
    • May require data aggregation and annual reporting to inform public health or oversight bodies.
  4. Miscellaneous Provisions

    • The bill could include definitional sections (e.g., definitions of abortion, abortion-inducing drugs, complications).
    • Potential preemption or collaboration with existing state medical licensing and public health statutes.

Who or What Would Be Affected

  • Patients seeking abortion services: Changes to informed consent processes and the patient experience surrounding medical abortion.
  • Healthcare providers: Physicians, clinics, nurses, and pharmacists involved in offering abortions or dispensing abortion-inducing medications; potential changes to clinical workflows, counseling requirements, and record-keeping.
  • Pharmacies and dispensing entities: Rules governing the storage, dispensing, and documentation of abortion-inducing drugs.
  • Public health and regulatory agencies: Increased data collection and reporting obligations related to adverse drug events and complications.
  • Data and oversight bodies: Potential annual or periodic reporting requirements that inform policy and enforcement.

Procedural and Timeline Aspects

  • Introduction and Placement: HF 2788 was introduced and placed on the Appropriations calendar on April 29, 2026.
  • Amendments: Two amendments were filed on April 29, 2026 (Amendments H-8432 and H-8433), indicating potential changes or clarifications draft language prior to committee consideration.
  • Next Steps: As an appropriations-related bill, it would typically be considered in the House Appropriations Committee, with potential fiscal notes, and then move to floor debate. Amendments may modify funding implications, compliance costs, or procedural requirements.

Notes and Considerations

  • The title and action history emphasize abortion-related regulation, but the exact statutory language will determine the precise requirements, penalties (if any), or exemptions.
  • If enacted, the bill could interact with existing Iowa laws governing abortion access, reproductive health services, and medical practice standards.
  • The inclusion of amendments suggests potential refinements to policy details or fiscal impacts prior to final passage.

If you’d like, I can incorporate the full text of the bill or the amended language to provide a more detailed, line-by-line analysis of each provision and its estimated impact.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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