Rep. Samantha Fett

Maddy summaryHF 106 amends Iowa law to allow parents to pursue wrongful death claims if an unborn child dies due to another party's negligence or misconduct. The bill expands the definition of "person" in wrongful death statutes to include an unborn child, defined as a human embryo or fetus from fertilization until birth. This change enables legal claims to survive the death of an unborn child, meaning parents could seek compensation for the loss as they could for a born child. The policy directly affects families who experience the death of an unborn child due to accidents or negligence, providing a legal pathway for compensation under existing wrongful death laws.

Maddy summaryHF 76 requires Iowa public and private schools to include specific content about pregnancy and fetal development in health and human growth curricula for students in grades 7-12. The bill mandates that this instruction cover human biology related to pregnancy, fetal development inside the womb, and include a 3-minute high-definition ultrasound video showing early organ development. It also requires a computer-generated animation demonstrating fertilization and every stage of fetal development with key milestones. These provisions apply to all school districts, accredited nonpublic schools, charter schools, and innovation zone schools offering the required courses.

Maddy summaryHF 51 defines "obscene performance" as visual shows exposing genitals, buttocks, or breasts, involving sexual acts, or lacking artistic value, judged by community standards for minors. It creates criminal penalties: exposing a minor to such performances is an aggravated misdemeanor, while admitting minors (under 18, with stricter rules for under 14) to venues showing them is a serious or aggravated misdemeanor. The bill establishes a private civil cause of action, allowing parents/guardians or minors (after age 18) to sue for damages (minimum $10,000), injunctions, or other relief if obscene material/performance was knowingly disseminated to them. It also prohibits public institutions, facilities, or funds from being used for obscene performances or exhibitions. The bill directly affects minors, venue operators, performers, and parents seeking legal remedies.