Rep. Ruth Ann Gaines

Maddy summaryHF 2212 establishes a new state minimum hourly wage for direct care professionals in Iowa, directly affecting workers providing personal care, independent living support, and basic health services in nursing facilities, homes, or childcare centers. The bill sets a $20.00 hourly minimum wage for these workers starting July 1, 2026, with a $19.10 minimum for those with less than 90 days of employment at the same employer. This rate supersedes the federal minimum wage when higher, applying to defined roles like home health aides, certified nurse aides, and direct support professionals. The law amends existing wage provisions to specifically address direct care workers' compensation, with enforcement under Iowa’s labor laws.

Maddy summaryThis resolution honors Staff Sergeants William Nathaniel Howard and Edgar Brian Torres-Tovar, Iowa National Guard members killed in action during a December 13, 2025, enemy attack in Palmyra, Syria. It recognizes their service, sacrifice, and posthumous promotions to staff sergeant, while also acknowledging three wounded Iowa National Guard soldiers from the same incident. The resolution formally expresses the House of Representatives' respect for their lives and sacrifice, and directs copies to be sent to their families as a gesture of recognition. This is a commemorative resolution with no policy or funding changes, solely intended to honor the fallen service members and their families.

Maddy summaryHouse Resolution 18 is a commemorative resolution that honors and congratulates the Grand View University wrestling team for winning its 13th National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) national championship. It recognizes the team's historic achievement, including individual national champions and All-American honors, and acknowledges Coach Nick Mitchell.

Maddy summaryHF 671 removes gender restrictions from Iowa's marriage laws. It amends the statute to state that "a party who otherwise meets the requirements... is eligible to marry any other such party regardless of gender," replacing previous language specifying "a marriage between a male and a female." The bill also updates related provisions, including void marriage definitions and a new section stating marriage is the "legally recognized union of two eligible parties," requiring all future legal interpretations of marriage terms to align with this gender-neutral definition. This change directly affects any individuals seeking marriage in Iowa who meet other statutory requirements, regardless of gender.

Maddy summaryHF 662 allocates $2.5 million from Iowa's general fund to the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) for fiscal year 2024-2025 to support refugee resettlement services. The funds are specifically for nonprofit resettlement agencies partnering with the U.S. Department of State to assist refugees in Iowa, covering costs like housing, employment, and healthcare. HHS must distribute the money proportionally to each agency based on the number of refugees they sponsor, and all funds must be disbursed within seven days of the bill taking effect. This direct funding supports refugees and the nonprofits providing their resettlement services in Iowa.

Maddy summaryHF 375 proposes setting Iowa's minimum hourly wage for direct care professionals at $20.00 starting July 1, 2025, with a $19.10 minimum for those with less than 90 days of employment. It directly affects employers in nursing facilities, home care, and child care centers who hire workers providing personal care, health services, or support for people with illnesses or disabilities. The bill defines "direct care professionals" to include home health aides, certified nurse aides, and similar roles. This state wage requirement will apply instead of the federal minimum wage if it is lower. The bill is currently in the Labor and Workforce committee after introduction on February 13, 2025.

Maddy summaryHF 283 raises Iowa's minimum hourly wage to $10.00 starting July 1, 2025, then to $12.50 on July 1, 2026, and $15.00 on July 1, 2027. It establishes a lower starting wage of $9.10 for new employees during their first 90 days of employment, increasing to $11.60 and $14.10 in 2026 and 2027 respectively. After 2027, the minimum wage will automatically increase annually on July 1 by the same percentage as the federal Social Security cost-of-living adjustment. The bill ensures the wage never decreases and affects all hourly workers in Iowa, including new hires during their initial 90-day period.

Maddy summaryHF 273 requires Iowa school districts and accredited nonpublic schools to adopt a policy by December 31, 2025, prohibiting student use of personal electronic devices (like cell phones or smartphones with internet access) during classroom instruction. The policy must allow exceptions for educational use by teachers, emergencies, health management, and students with IEPs or 504 plans. Schools must make the policy publicly available online, include it in student handbooks, and notify parents through email, mail, or a note. This bill directly affects all public and accredited nonpublic schools, students, and their families by establishing clear rules for device use during learning time.

Maddy summaryHF 251 requires Iowa's state board of education to publish detailed information about nonpublic schools accredited by independent agencies. The board must list each school, the specific educational standards the accrediting agency required for accreditation, and any amendments or waivers to those standards. This information will be posted on the education department's website and updated annually by June 30. The bill expands transparency by making school-level accreditation details publicly available, moving beyond the current requirement that only listed accrediting agencies.

Maddy summaryHF 207 modifies reporting requirements for patients involuntarily committed for mental health treatment in Iowa. It requires medical directors or treating clinicians to submit an initial report to the court within 60 days of the commitment order, followed by reports at intervals of up to six months (previously 90 days) while the court order remains active. The bill also mandates that reports detail the patient’s condition (improved, unchanged, or deteriorated) and estimated treatment duration, and requires immediate notification if a patient refuses court-ordered treatment without good cause. This directly affects patients under involuntary commitment, healthcare facilities, and the courts overseeing their cases.