The Iowa Senate has sent the governor a bill that would require carbon monoxide alarms in any apartment building or home built in the state after July 1st of 2018. “We are going to provide parity for CO detectors very similar to what we do for smoke detectors.” That’s Senator Jeff Danielson, a Democrat from Cedar Falls. Danielson says he’s been “pleasantly surprised” the idea has now earned bipartisan support after unsuccessful tries in previous years.

“I also understand why some can’t get there,” Danielson says. “This is a regulation, but I think it’s an example when we have a light touch on implementation and what we’re requiring, even those can get there because we’ve been reasoable about how to implement it.” Existing RENTAL units in Iowa would be required to have carbon monoxide detectors if the bill becomes law, but installing a carbon monoxide detector would be VOLUNTARY in existing, single-family homes.

“You know we’ve learned through other safety regulations like seat belts, smoke detectors — you name it — that when Iowans are aware of a tool to keep them safer, they will use it,” Danielson says. About 300 Iowans wind up in an emergency room each year to be treated for carbon monoxide poisoning and officials say about 20 Iowans die each year from carbon monoxide poisoning.

(Radio Iowa)

The Iowa Senate has voted to allow a new group of medical professionals prescribe medications for mentally ill Iowans.  “I think the legislation is going to definitely improve access to mental health services, especially in places that currently have workforce shortages.” That’s Senator Joe Bolkcom, a Democrat from Iowa City who’s been working on the bill. Under current law, psychiatrists can write prescriptions, but there are only 150 psychiatrists in the state and the majority of them live in urban areas. If the bill becomes law, the nearly 500 licensed psychologists in Iowa could write prescriptions, too.

“With the growing mental health care needs of Iowans, we need to find ways to safely increase the number of mental health professionals that can provide specialized care to Iowans needing mental health services,” Bolkcom says. Psychiatrists go to medical school and are licensed medical doctors who are able to write prescriptions.

Psychologists get a doctorate degree from a college after studying human behavior and how the mind works. The bill calls for new training for psychologists before they’d be able to prescribe any of 100 different drugs for treatment of mental illnesses. The bill failed to pass the Senate March 1st, but changes were made in the legislation today (Wednesday) and the bill picked up enough to clear the Senate on a 28 to 22 vote. It now goes to the House for consideration.

The Iowa Psychiatrists Association opposes the bill. The group argues there’s not enough training required for psychologists to be able to “safely prescribe” powerful medications for mentally ill Iowans.

(Radio Iowa)

The Mills County Sheriff’s Office reports four recent arrests. Among those taken into custody was 19-year Selena Marie Hansen, of Atlantic, who was arrested just after 8-a.m. Tuesday, and charged with Driving Under Suspension. Her bond was set at $300. 18-year old Jacob Lee Reafleng, of Glenwood, was arrested Tuesday afternoon, on a warrant for Domestic Abuse Assault and 1st Degree Harassment. His bond was set at $5,000. 29-year old Michael Shawn Beltran, of Bellevue, NE., was arrested in Mills County for Driving Under Suspension. Bond was set at $300. And, 32-year old Joshua Calvin Anderson, of Highland, CO., was arrested this (Wednesday) morning in Malvern, for Public Intoxication and Interference with Official Acts.

The Montgomery County Sheriff’s office reports the arrest of a Red Oak man on a warrant Wednesday.  Deputies arrested 47-year-old Kenneth Houtchens of Red Oak at 11:30am on a warrant for Violation of Probation.  Houtchens was held in the Montgomery County Jail on $10,000 bond.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — The Iowa Senate has passed legislation that would increase penalties for repeat domestic abusers. The Democratic-controlled Senate voted unanimously 50-0 Wednesday in support of the bill, which would create a mandatory minimum punishment for stalking, harassment and repeat domestic violence. It would also allow a judge to set a higher mandatory minimum sentence.

The bill received overwhelming support in the Republican-majority House in March. Supporters say the legislation would better protect domestic violence victims. The Iowa Coalition Against Domestic Violence initially opposed the bill amid concern over the value of longer sentences. The group said Wednesday it now supports the bill because of several other elements in the measure.

Changes to the bill mean it will return to the House before it can reach Gov. Terry Branstad’s desk.

A Red Oak woman was arrested on multiple theft charges Wednesday by Montgomery County Sheriff’s Deuputies.  At 1:45pm Wednesday Deputies arrested 39-year-old Janet Lynn Tarbox of Red Oak on one count in the 1st Degree, two counts in the 2nd Degree, one count in the 3rd Degree, and one count in the 4th Degree of Theft.  She was taken into custody and held on $10,000 cash bond.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – A new law will allow drivers or passengers in snowmobiles and all-terrain vehicles to carry loaded firearms. Gov. Terry Branstad signed the legislation into law Wednesday. The law will allow people to carry a loaded firearm whether it’s concealed or not, though there are separate rules for gun owners who are on their private land and those who are not on such property.

A gun owner on his or her own land will not be required to keep their gun permit on them at all times. They will also not be required to keep a firearm on a retention holster. Gun owners will still not be allowed to shoot a weapon from the moving vehicles.