Iowa legislature and seniors

The Iowa Legislature kicks off the 2018 legislative session Jan. 8, 2018 in Des Moines and is expected to conclude on or around April 17, 2018.
There are several issues of importance to Iowa seniors which are being recommended to the Iowa Legislature by The Older Iowans Legislature (OIL). OIL met at the Iowa Capitol this past fall and passed the following three Resolutions and three Priority Bills.
OIL Resolution 17-01: Guardianship and Conservatorship. The Older Iowans Legislature asks the OIL Board of Directors to review the task force speech handout presented on September 25, 2017 and to take steps to support, as it deems appropriate, the Guardianship & Conservatorship Task Force Recommendations.
OIL Resolution 17-02: Alternative Sources of Funding. The Older Iowans Legislature asks the OIL Board of Directors to study options for alternative funding of services for older citizens of Iowa. The OIL Board of Directors shall pursue grant funding and explore process of the Iowa State Tax Return check off and feasibility of transferring a percentage of gambling revenue toward older adult services.
OIL Resolution 17-03: Expansion of Direct Care Workforce registry. The Older Iowans Legislature asks the OIL Board of Directors to explore the feasibility of expansion of the direct care workforce registry to include all direct care workers, regardless of work setting.
OIL Bill 17-01: Establishment of a Senior Living Coordinating Council. The Older Iowans Legislature asks the 2018 session of the Iowa General Assembly to enact a law that establishes a Senior Living Coordinating Council that brings together the major departments of State government (i.e., Department of Human Services, Department of Public Health, Department of Inspections and Appeals, Department on Aging) with Legislators and with Iowa Citizens to jointly address and fund needs of older Iowans.
OIL Bill 17-02: Future Ready Iowa. The Older Iowans Legislature asks the Office of the Governor of Iowa to expand the scope of Future Ready Iowa to include the direct care workforce;
• Recognizing existing certification and/or competency based training as a pathway to employment.
• Adding an OIL appointed member to the Future Ready Iowa board.
OIL Bill 17-03: Funding of senior services. The Older Iowans Legislature asks the 2018 session of the Iowa General Assembly to appropriate funds and/or to find alternative funding for the following concerns of older Iowans:
• The Iowa General Assembly shall initiate Requests for Proposals via associated agencies with regard to housing of sex offenders.
• The Iowa General Assembly shall restore funds to Long-Term Care Ombudsman Office by increasing fees or other options provided by the Iowa General Assembly.
• The Iowa General Assembly shall maintain and increase funding for LifeLong Links.
• The Iowa General Assembly shall maintain and increase funding for senior nutrition.
• The Iowa General Assembly shall maintain and increase funding for transportation to support seniors and individuals with disabilities.
• The Iowa General Assembly shall consider the following as possible alternative sources of funding for these programs:
• Tax Credits
• Sales Tax Revenue
• Gambling Revenue
If you wish to express your opinion to your state senator or state representative, a full list of contact information is available on the Elderbridge Agency on Aging website: http://elderbridge.org/resources/legislators/