Rep. Sean Bagniewski

Maddy summaryHF 605 allows pharmacists in Iowa to dispense self-administered hormonal contraceptives (like pills, rings, or patches approved by the FDA) without a new prescription, using a standing order from the health department. Pharmacists must complete specific training, conduct a patient risk assessment, provide counseling on use/side effects, and refer patients if unsafe, while dispensing up to a 12-month supply at once. The bill also requires health insurance plans to cover these contraceptives without excluding them, similar to other outpatient prescription drugs. It explicitly excludes abortion-inducing drugs and mandates patient education on backup contraception and STI prevention.

Maddy summaryHF 607 increases Iowa's Medicaid eligibility income threshold for pregnant women and infants from 215% to 375% of the federal poverty level. It directly affects low-income pregnant individuals and infants whose families earn up to 375% of the federal poverty level, expanding access to coverage. The bill requires Iowa's Department of Health and Human Services to submit state plan amendments to the federal government by January 2026, enabling 12 months of continuous postpartum Medicaid coverage for eligible pregnant women and updating infant eligibility rules. This change aligns with federal provisions under the American Rescue Plan Act and aims to improve healthcare continuity for this population.

Maddy summaryHF 561 defines "grooming" as knowingly seducing, soliciting, luring, or attempting to do so with a child (under 18) or someone posing as a child (including undercover officers) to commit unlawful sexual acts. It classifies this offense as a class D felony, imposing criminal penalties for such conduct. The bill directly affects individuals who attempt to manipulate minors into sexual situations, whether through in-person interactions, electronic communication, or written messages. Key provisions clarify that the law applies to all attempts to entice children into sexual activity, regardless of the method used to communicate.

Maddy summaryHF 592 is a bill that requires law enforcement to obtain court approval before conducting a forensic interview of a minor (under 18) at a licensed child advocacy center when the suspect is the minor's parent, guardian, or custodian. The bill mandates that applications to the court must detail the crime, explain why the interview is necessary, describe attempts to get consent from the parent/guardian, and justify why consent couldn't be obtained otherwise. It requires applications to include specific facts and demonstrate the interview is warranted for the investigation. This bill directly affects minors in abuse cases where their caregiver is the suspect, ensuring a judicial check before interviews proceed.

Maddy summaryThis joint resolution authorizes Iowa to replace its current U.S. Capitol statue of Samuel J. Kirkwood with one honoring former Governor Robert D. Ray. It creates a seven-member committee (appointed by the governor) to raise funds through donations for the statue exchange, commissioning the new statue, and relocating the Kirkwood statue. The resolution establishes a state fund to manage these costs and requires the Kirkwood statue to be permanently displayed at Iowa's state capitol building. The bill does not appropriate state funds but relies on private donations for the replacement process.

Maddy summaryHF 554 modifies Iowa public school library requirements. It requires school districts to employ a licensed teacher librarian (starting July 1, 2025), removing the previous option of hiring someone previously employed at a public library. The bill eliminates enforcement mechanisms like written warnings and hearings for library program compliance, removes confidentiality protections for parents requesting book removals, and deletes prohibitions against student involvement in material removal decisions. These changes directly affect school districts, library staff, and parents making material removal requests.

Maddy summaryHF 336 requires Iowa public school districts to incorporate age-appropriate Holocaust education into middle and high school curricula by the 2025-2026 school year. The bill mandates instruction covering the causes and consequences of the Holocaust, historical antisemitism, resistance efforts, and the U.S. role in defeating Nazi Germany, including contributions by diverse military groups. School districts must also provide teacher training on these topics through professional development programs using approved resources like the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum. The Iowa Department of Education will annually report on school district compliance. This law applies to all public school districts in Iowa and uses existing state funding without requiring new appropriations.

Maddy summaryHF 555 modifies Iowa school notice requirements for chronically absent students. It changes the method school officials must use to notify parents/guardians or emancipated minors: instead of requiring only certified mail, the bill mandates sending notices via ordinary mail *and* electronic mail (if the school has the email address). The notices must still include details about the child’s absences and school policies on future absences. This bill directly affects school officials who must now use two delivery methods when sending these notices. The change applies to all public schools in Iowa under current chronic absenteeism policies.

Maddy summaryHF 504 establishes a robotics grant program within Iowa's STEM collaborative initiative to provide funding for school robotics programs. It appropriates $400,000 to offset costs like team stipends, competition fees, kits, and travel for public school districts, nonpublic schools, charter schools, and innovation zone schools. The bill also allocates $100,000 to the University of Northern Iowa to develop a public-private partnership supporting the Iowa regional FIRST robotics competition. These provisions directly support K-12 robotics education and competition participation through targeted financial assistance.

Maddy summaryHF 462 removes time limits for civil lawsuits by victims of sexual abuse in Iowa. It eliminates the previous 5-year deadline for cases involving counselors, therapists, school staff, or instructors, and establishes no statute of limitations for all sexual abuse civil actions. The bill also revives previously dismissed cases where lawsuits were barred by expired deadlines or failure to file. This applies only to civil claims for damages, not criminal matters, and takes effect immediately upon enactment.