SF 304: Providing an exception to a minor’s legal capacity to consent to the provision of medical care or services for a sexually transmitted disease or infection

What it does

This bill relates to the legal capacity of a minor to consent to the provision of medical care or services to the minor for the prevention, diagnosis, or treatment of a sexually transmitted disease or infection. Under Code section 139A.35, a minor has the legal capacity to act and give consent to provision of medical care or services to the minor for the prevention, diagnosis, or treatment of a sexually transmitted disease or infection. Under the bill, a minor does not have the legal capacity to consent to the provision of vaccinations for a sexually transmitted disease or infection.

House subcommittee · named January 12, 2026

• Rep. Eddie Andrews (R) · eddie.andrews@legis.iowa.gov
• Rep. Austin Harris (R) · austin.harris@legis.iowa.gov
• Rep. Beth Wessel-Kroeschell (D) · beth.wessel-kroeschell@legis.iowa.gov

Lobbying · 3 for, 27 against

For: Iowa Baptists For Biblical Values; Iowans for Freedom; VALOR Iowa

Against: American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN); American College of Obstetricians & Gynecologists; Blank Childrens Hospital; Episcopal Diocese of Iowa; Family Planning Council of Iowa; Interfaith Alliance of Iowa Action Fund; Iowa Academy of Family Physicians; Iowa Affiliate of the American College of Nurse-Midwives; Iowa Association of Rural Health Clinics; Iowa Atheists and Freethinkers; Iowa Chapter of the National Association of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners; Iowa Chapter-American Academy of Pediatrics; and 15 more

In plain words

1. February 13, 2025Filed in the Senate
2. February 13, 2025Approved by the Senate committee
3. April 7, 2025Passed the Senate, 33–14
4. January 12, 2026House subcommittee named: Andrews, Harris and Wessel-Kroeschell
5. January 14, 2026Subcommittee recommended passing it
6. February 3, 2026Approved by the House committee
7. February 3, 2026Committee vote: 14–6
8. April 14, 2026Passed the House, 63–29
9. May 5, 2026Sent to the Governor
10. May 19, 2026Signed into law