HF2676: Governor's MAHA Bill

The legislation enacts wide-ranging reforms across healthcare, education, and nutrition. Notable changes include mandatory nutrition/metabolic health continuing education for physicians, required nutrition coursework for all medical school graduates, new restrictions on food dyes and additives in school meals, over-the-counter access to ivermectin, digital device time limits in elementary schools, and Iowa's adoption of the Psychology Interjurisdictional Compact.

Key Points & Impacts

• Requires at least 1 hour of continuing education on nutrition and metabolic health every 4 years for physicians as a license renewal condition.

• Mandates at least 40 hours of nutrition and metabolic health coursework for graduation from Iowa medical schools, effective July 1, 2028.

• Establishes strict prohibitions on specific food dyes and additives (e.g., Blue 1/2, Green 3, Potassium bromate, Propylparaben, Red 40, Yellow 5/6) in school meals and sales during the school day, applying to public, charter, innovation zone, and nonpublic schools receiving state funds (beginning July 1, 2027).

• Directs HHS to apply for a waiver to apply the same food restrictions to the 'summer electronic benefits transfer for children program' (summer EBT).

• Expands permissible epinephrine delivery systems (including nasal sprays, not just auto-injectors) in schools and public facilities, updating liability protections and staff training requirements accordingly.

• Allows pharmacists to distribute ivermectin as an over-the-counter medicine for human use without a prescription, and protects them from professional discipline or legal penalties for such distribution.

• Limits digital instruction to 60 minutes per day for K-5 students (with exceptions), requires technology use policies in elementary schools, and establishes a working group to study technology's cognitive impact on grades 6-12.

• Reintroduces the Presidential Fitness Test in schools, requires K-4 students to have at least 40 minutes of physical activity each day and 5th graders have at least 30 minutes per day.

• Adopts the Psychology Interjurisdictional Compact, enabling licensed psychologists to provide telepsychology and temporary in-person services across state lines under uniform rules and mutual recognition.

Signed by Governor May 20, 2026. Takes effect July 1, 2026; applicable July 1, 2027.