HF 487: Relating to drug paraphernalia and drug-checking equipment

What it does

This bill relates to drug paraphernalia and drug-checking equipment. Under current law, a person who knowingly or intentionally manufactures, delivers, sells, or possesses drug paraphernalia commits a simple misdemeanor. Hypodermic needles or syringes manufactured, delivered, sold, or possessed for a lawful purpose are exempt from the definition of “drug paraphernalia”. The bill also exempts test strips or other materials used or intended for use in testing for the presence of fentanyl, xylazine, or a fentanyl or xylazine analog in a substance; drug-checking equipment used to inform individuals of whether a substance has been adulterated; materials used by agents of organizations that provide harm reduction services in the processing, preparing, packaging, repackaging, storing, or containing of a nominal amount of a controlled substance for the purpose of confirmatory testing; and drug-checking equipment used, purchased, transported, or distributed by agents of organizations that provide harm reduction services authorized by the state, a county, a municipality, or a public health department from the definition of “drug paraphernalia”.

House subcommittee · named February 20, 2025

• Rep. Brett Barker (R) · brett.barker@legis.iowa.gov
• Rep. Dr. Steven P. Bradley (R) · steven.bradley@legis.iowa.gov
• Rep. Timi M. Brown-Powers (D) · timi.brown-powers@legis.iowa.gov

Lobbying · 19 for, 1 against

For: Iowa Association for Justice; Iowa Behavioral Health Association (IBHA); Iowa County Attorneys Association; Iowa Faith and Freedom Coalition; Iowa Independent Physician Group; Iowa Medical Society; Iowa Mental Health Advocacy; Iowa Nurses Association; Iowa Peace Officers Association; Iowa Pharmacy Association; Iowa Police Chief Association (FKA Iowa Police Executive Forum); Iowa Primary Care Association; and 7 more

Against: Iowa Police Chief Association (FKA Iowa Police Executive Forum)

In plain words

1. February 19, 2025Filed in the House and sent to the Health and Human Services committee
2. February 20, 2025House subcommittee named: Barker, Bradley and Brown-Powers
3. February 24, 2025Subcommittee recommended passing it
4. February 26, 2025Approved by the House committee
5. February 26, 2025Committee vote: 19–0
6. February 28, 2025Approved by the House committee, and given a new number: HF 699