New Abuse Reporting Rule in Iowa

On June 2, 2020, the Iowa Board of Massage Therapy adopted a new rule change effective August 19, 2020, that revises the mandatory training requirements for child and dependent adult abuse reporting. ABMP has summarized the change below, and you can read the full amendments here.

Mandatory reporter training requirements—131.8(4)

Massage therapists who are required to report child abuse must complete required training every three years—a decrease from the previously required five years. Training must now be provided by the Iowa Department of Human Services, no longer the Iowa Department of Public Health. Licensees must indicate their training on their renewal application forms if the licensee treats a child and is employed in any of the following settings, which would indicate the new requirement:

1. A residential care facility
2. A nursing facility
3. An intermediate care facility for persons with mental illness
4. An intermediate care facility for persons with an intellectual disability
5. A school
6. A childcare center, registered child development home, or head start program
7. A substance abuse program or facility licensed by the Iowa Department of Public Health
8. The Glenwood state resource center, Woodward state resource center, mental health institute in Cherokee, mental health institute in Independence, state training school, or Iowa juvenile home
9. A juvenile detention center or juvenile shelter care facility
10. A foster care facility
11. A mental health center

Similarly, massage therapists who are required to report dependent adult abuse must complete required training every three years—a decrease from the previously required five years. Training must now be provided by the Iowa Department of Human Services, no longer the Iowa Department of Public Health. Licensees must indicate their training on their renewal application forms if the licensee treats a dependent adult and is employed in any of the following settings, which would indicate the new requirement:

1. A residential care facility
2. A nursing facility
3. An intermediate care facility for persons with mental illness
4. An intermediate care facility for persons with an intellectual disability
5. A hospital
6. An elder group home
7. An assisted living program
8. An adult day services program
9. A community mental health center
10. A supported community living service, sheltered workshop, or work activity center

If you have questions or concerns, email gr@abmp.com.