Rep. Bob Kressig

Maddy summaryHF 403 allows courts in Iowa to permit certain witnesses, including minors under 18 and victims or witnesses with mental illness, intellectual disabilities, or developmental disabilities, to testify via two-way closed-circuit video equipment instead of in the physical courtroom. This protects them from trauma caused by facing the defendant directly, which could impair their ability to communicate. The court must specifically find such measures are necessary and limit the room with the witness to the judge, attorneys, necessary technicians, and individuals supporting the witness’s well-being. The minor must also be informed the defendant will view their testimony via video but will not be physically present.

Maddy summaryHF 410 would require Iowa's Department of Health and Human Services to set reimbursement rates for child care providers caring for unhoused children equal to the rate for children needing special-needs care. The bill defines "unhoused" as lacking a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence, including living in motels, shelters, cars, or transitional housing. This change directly affects child care providers serving unhoused children and the state's child care assistance program budget. The bill was introduced on February 13, 2025, and remains in committee.

Maddy summaryHF 338 removes a prohibition in Iowa law that previously prevented the dental board from creating rules allowing registered dental assistants to administer local anesthesia. The bill directly affects dental assistants who complete required training and the Iowa dental board, which would now have the authority to establish rules for this expanded practice. Key provisions eliminate the specific language blocking the board from delegating local anesthesia administration, though it does not automatically grant this authority - it requires the board to adopt new rules first. The bill is currently pending in the Health and Human Services committee after introduction on February 12, 2025.

Maddy summaryHF 344 changes Iowa's child care assistance program to require the state to reimburse child care providers at the rate they typically charge private-pay families, rather than the current system that capped reimbursement at the lower of the provider's rate or a state-set rate. This directly affects child care providers serving families enrolled in the state child care assistance program. The bill eliminates the practice where providers could not collect the full difference between their private rate and the state reimbursement. Providers will now receive full payment based on their standard private rates for eligible children.

Maddy summaryHF 345 would raise Iowa's income eligibility limits for state child care assistance. It increases the monthly income cap for families needing basic care from 145% to 185% of the federal poverty level (FPL), and for special-needs care from 200% to 240% of the FPL. This change directly affects low-income families with children who require child care, allowing more households to qualify for assistance. The bill directs the Department of Health and Human Services to update its administrative rules to implement these new thresholds. The change would expand access to child care support for families currently earning above the current income limits.

Maddy summaryHF 342 expands Iowa's state child care assistance program to include children of child care workers. It creates new eligibility for children whose parent, guardian, or custodian works at least 32 hours weekly in direct child care at a registered or HHS-agreed unregistered facility, meets staffing ratios, and does not provide care for their own child at home. The bill requires eligible families to make income-based copayments and prohibits HHS from applying waiting lists to these new applicants. It also specifies that directors or administrative staff qualify if regularly counted in staffing ratios. The Department of Health and Human Services must adopt rules to implement these changes.

Maddy summaryHF 341 changes how Iowa's child care assistance program pays providers. It allows providers to choose biweekly or monthly billing and shifts payment from "child care provided" to "hours scheduled" for enrolled children. The bill requires the Department of Human Services to pay providers within 10 business days of receiving a bill, and to notify providers of errors within 5 days if corrections are needed. This directly affects child care providers enrolled in the state program and the Department of Human Services. The change aims to streamline payments and reduce administrative delays.

Maddy summaryHF 333 requires Iowa public school districts to provide free feminine hygiene products (such as tampons and sanitary pads) in at least half of the restrooms serving students in grades 6-12, with regular refilling. The bill applies directly to all Iowa public schools educating middle and high school students. It appropriates state funds from 2025-2028 to reimburse school districts for the full cost of compliance, with the Department of Education managing the reimbursement process. The funding ends June 30, 2028, after which schools would use other state aid for ongoing costs.

Maddy summaryHF 343 changes how Iowa's child care assistance program reimburses providers. It requires the state human services department to pay providers full-day rates for every day a child is enrolled, regardless of whether the child stays for the full day (current law allows partial payments for shorter stays). The bill also mandates payments within 10 business days of receiving a valid bill, and requires the department to notify providers of billing errors within 5 days and pay within 10 days of receiving corrections. This directly affects licensed child care providers serving families in the state's child care assistance program.

Maddy summaryHF 324 requires Iowa law enforcement officers to conduct a threat evaluation for individuals identified as the primary physical aggressor in domestic abuse incidents *when no arrest is made*. This evaluation uses a department-adopted checklist considering factors like prior abuse convictions, violations of protective orders, felony convictions, and weapon possession. If two or more checklist factors apply, officers must provide the aggressor with resources like counseling, job programs, and housing assistance information. The bill also mandates that officers provide victims with materials about financial aid, mental health services, and legal support. These changes aim to address domestic abuse risks and provide support services without advocating for specific outcomes.