Rep. Elizabeth Wilson

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 summaryThis bill (HF 663) seeks to continue Iowa's Medicaid-funded family planning services by requiring the state to request federal approval for a new "Iowa Family Planning Network." It would replace the current state program (Section 217.41B of the Iowa Code) with a network operating under the same benefits and rules as a federal waiver approved in 2017. The repeal of the old program takes effect only after the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) approves the new state plan amendment. This change directly affects Iowans who use Medicaid for family planning services and the state program providing those services.

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 658 requires most health insurance plans in Iowa to cap out-of-pocket costs for prescription insulin at $25 per prescription for up to a 31-day supply. It applies to all covered insulin types (rapid-acting, short-acting, intermediate-acting, and long-acting) and affects people with diabetes who have insulin-covered plans. The cap takes effect for new or renewed policies starting January 1, 2026, but excludes specialized coverage like Medicare supplements, dental, or workers’ compensation plans. Plans may offer lower costs than $25 but cannot exceed this limit. This directly reduces financial burdens for Iowans managing diabetes through their insurance.

Maddy summaryHF 611 requires Iowa employers to pay employees 1.5 times their regular hourly wage for work performed on specific holidays, including legal public holidays, designated paid holidays, federal holidays observed by the U.S. Postal Service, and federal banking holidays. This directly affects employees working on those days and their employers across all industries covered by Iowa wage laws. The bill establishes that this higher pay rate applies automatically when work is required on these designated days, with enforcement handled by the Department of Inspections, Appeals, and Licensing under existing wage law provisions. Violations can result in penalties, damages, or civil fines.

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 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 455 changes Iowa's unemployment benefit rules by increasing the maximum total benefit amount an individual can receive in one benefit year. Currently, benefits are capped at 16 times the weekly benefit amount; this bill raises that cap to 26 times the weekly amount. The bill directly affects Iowa workers who qualify for unemployment benefits, ensuring they can receive up to 26 weeks' worth of benefits based on their prior earnings. The key change simplifies the calculation by removing the previous lower limit tied to wage credits, though benefits remain tied to the individual's base period earnings. This adjustment applies to all eligible claimants, including those laid off due to employer closures.

Maddy summaryHF 412 modifies Iowa's child care assistance program to better support unhoused parents. It defines "unhoused" as lacking a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence (including living in motels, shelters, cars, or transitional housing) and requires the Department of Health and Human Services to extend the 30-day employment-based eligibility limit for parents of children under six years old who are unhoused. The bill also exempts unhoused children from program waiting lists and mandates an expedited process for approving assistance and extensions for unhoused applicants. These changes directly affect low-income parents experiencing housing instability who are seeking work.