Bills › 91st General Assembly
Relating to the authority of an attorney in fact under a durable power of attorney for health care
Sponsored by the Senate Judiciary Committee
Topics:Courts & civil law
Where it is now
- Done: IntroducedJanuary 14, 2026
- Done: SubcommitteeJanuary 14, 2026
- Done: Senate committeeFebruary 3, 2026
- Done: Passes the SenateFebruary 24, 202647–0
- Skipped: House committeeSkipped
- Done: Passes the HouseMarch 10, 202693–0
- Done: To the GovernorApril 9, 2026
- Done: Signed into lawApril 9, 2026
Signed into law What’s a funnel?
What’s in it
This bill relates to the authority of an attorney in fact (attorney) under a durable power of attorney for health care (durable power of attorney). Current law provides that an attorney under a durable power of attorney has the duty to act in accordance with the desires expressed in the durable power of attorney or made known to the attorney by the principal who executed the durable power of attorney. If the principal executes a declaration related to life-sustaining procedures, the declaration shall not be interpreted to prohibit the attorney from withdrawing hydration or nutrition in certain circumstances, or otherwise restrict the authority of the attorney.
Read the full explanation
The bill amends the attorney’s duty by requiring the attorney to act in accordance with the desires of the principal as expressed in the durable power of attorney, a declaration relating to the use of life-sustaining procedures, or otherwise made known to the attorney by the principal. The bill provides that the authority of the attorney shall not be restricted by the principal’s desires expressed verbally to a person other than the attorney, or in another document, unless the document authorizing the durable power of attorney states in a separate section that the durable power of attorney is limited, and includes the limitations on the attorney’s authority.
From the explanation printed with the bill as introduced, written by the Legislative Services Agency. Amendments adopted later aren’t reflected. Full bill text · What changed before it passed
Senate subcommittee
Named January 14, 2026 (as SSB 3020). On January 21, 2026 it recommended amendment and passage.
Three legislators hear a bill first and recommend what the committee should do; it’s the best time to weigh in. How to take part
Iowa Code it changes
Amends§144B.6
Read from the bill as introduced. Each links to every bill touching that chapter of the Iowa Code. How the Code works
Lobbying
2 for · 0 against · 10 undecided · Who →
Family tree
Where this legislation came from and where it went: earlier tries, the versions it moved through this Assembly, and later bills built on it.
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91st General Assembly
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