Iowa legislation · 91st General Assembly
Iowa HF708: A BILL FOR An Act relating to health care decisions related to palliative care, hospice programs, life-sustaining procedures, and out-of-hospital do-not-resuscitate orders
Status: In committee, February 6, 2026
An Act relating to health care decisions related to palliative care, hospice programs, life-sustaining procedures, and out-of-hospital do-not-resuscitate orders.
What the bill says
A bill FOR An Act relating to health care decisions related to palliative care, hospice programs, life-sustaining procedures, and out-of-hospital do-not-resuscitate orders.
From the introduced text, March 3, 2025:
A BILL FOR An Act relating to health care decisions related to palliative care, hospice programs, life-sustaining procedures, and out-of-hospital do-not-resuscitate orders. BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF IOWA: TLSB 1139YH (8) lh/ko H.F. Section 1. Section 135J.1, Code 2025, is amended by adding the following new subsections: NEW SUBSECTION. 1A. "Attorney in fact" means an individual who is designated by a durable power of attorney for health care as an agent to make health care decisions on behalf of a patient and has consented to act in that capacity. NEW SUBSECTION. 1B. "Close adult friend" means a friend of the patient to whom all of the following apply: a. The individual is at least eighteen years of age. b. The individual has shown special care and concern for the patient. c. The individual maintains regular contact with the patient and is familiar with the patient's health, activities, and beliefs. d. The individual has signed an affidavit with the patient's attending physician that states that the close adult friend is willing and able to be involved in the patient's care. NEW SUBSECTION. 3A. "Durable power of attorney for health care" means a document authorizing an attorney in fact to make health care decisions for the patient if the patient is unable, in the judgment of …
Sponsors
- Michael Bergan (R, 63) · primary sponsor
Latest actions
- : Withdrawn. H.J. 614 .
- : Committee report approving bill, renumbered as HF 2305 .
- : Comittee vote: Yeas, 20. Nays, 0. Excused, 1. H.J. 208 .
- : Committee report, recommending amendment and passage. H.J. 207 .
- : Subcommittee recommends amendment and passage.
- : Subcommittee Meeting: 01/29/2026 8:30AM House Lounge.
- : Subcommittee: Bergan, Brown-Powers and Jeneary. H.J. 19 .
- : * * * * * END OF 2025 ACTIONS * * * * *
- : Introduced, referred to Health and Human Services. H.J. 483 .
Votes
- Committee report, recommending amendment and passage. H.J. 207 . (February 3, 2026): 20 yea, 0 nay, passed
- Comittee vote: Yeas, 20. Nays, 0. Excused, 1. H.J. 207 . (February 3, 2026): 20 yea, 0 nay, passed
Subjects: hospice services, out-of-hospital do-not-resuscitate orders, medical care, power of attorney, life support
Common questions
- What is HF708?
- HF708 is a bill in the Iowa Legislature (91st General Assembly): A BILL FOR An Act relating to health care decisions related to palliative care, hospice programs, life-sustaining procedures, and out-of-hospital do-not-resuscitate orders.
- What does HF708 do?
- In its own words: A bill FOR An Act relating to health care decisions related to palliative care, hospice programs, life-sustaining procedures, and out-of-hospital do-not-resuscitate orders.
- What is the status of HF708?
- In committee as of February 6, 2026. Latest action: Withdrawn. H.J. 614 . (March 9, 2026).
- Who sponsored HF708?
- Michael Bergan (R, 63).
- Where is the official record for HF708?
- On the Iowa Legislature website: https://www.legis.iowa.gov/legislation/BillBook?ba=HF+0708&ga=91
Source: official Iowa record. Tracked by Delilah, AI for legislation across all 50 states and Congress.