Rep. Ann Meyer

Maddy summaryHF 2094 requires Iowa's Department of Health and Human Services to at least double the number of inpatient psychiatric beds at each state mental health institute by July 1, 2027, using the bed count from June 30, 2025, as the baseline. The bill also mandates that the department apply for a federal Medicaid waiver by October 1, 2026, to allow Medicaid funding for these additional beds. This policy directly affects Iowa's state mental health institutes by requiring them to expand capacity and navigate federal funding changes. The bill aims to increase access to inpatient psychiatric care through concrete, time-bound requirements.

Maddy summaryHF 2553 establishes a two-year pilot program in Iowa's Department of Health and Human Services to refurbish durable medical equipment (DME) purchased through the state's medical assistance program (Medicaid). The program requires tracking DME provided to recipients and informing them that equipment should be returned to a designated nonprofit organization upon death or health status changes. The nonprofit then refurbishes the equipment and makes it available free to new recipients in need, while the department must report annual program details to the legislature. This affects Medicaid recipients, the nonprofit organization serving people with disabilities and veterans, and the state's medical assistance program. The pilot expires July 1, 2030.

Maddy summaryHF 409 prohibits hospitals and health care licensing boards in Iowa from asking applicants about past mental illness, substance use disorders, or other behavioral health diagnoses on clinical privilege or license applications. It allows questions only about current, untreated conditions that could impair safe, professional practice. The bill directly affects health care professionals applying for hospital clinical privileges or state licenses. It requires the state department to create rules enforcing these changes, focusing on current safety concerns rather than historical health conditions. The bill is currently under review by the House Health and Human Services subcommittee.

Maddy summaryHF 606 requires health insurance plans (including individual/group accident/sickness, hospital/medical, HMOs, and public employee plans) to provide a special enrollment period for pregnant women. This allows pregnant women to enroll in coverage at any time after a healthcare professional certifies their pregnancy, without fees or penalties. Coverage becomes effective the first day of the month when pregnancy is certified (or the next month if chosen by the woman). The bill applies to most health insurance policies delivered or renewed on or after January 1, 2026, but excludes accident-only, Medicare supplement, dental, vision, and similar coverage types.

Maddy summaryThis resolution symbolically honors Easterseals Iowa for its 100 years of service supporting Iowans with disabilities, recognizing its mission since 1926 to foster inclusion and community. It designates January 20, 2026, as "Easterseals Iowa Centennial Celebration Day" to commemorate the organization's history and impact. The resolution has no binding effect but formally acknowledges Easterseals Iowa's role in providing advocacy, programs, and resources for people with disabilities across Iowa.

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 summaryHF 2100 prohibits the use of any language other than English for commercial driver's license (CDL) examinations in Iowa. It directly affects individuals applying for CDLs by requiring all written and oral exam components to be conducted solely in English. The bill amends Iowa Code sections 1.18(5)i and 321.187(1) to remove an existing exception allowing non-English exams at driver's license stations, specifically for CDL tests. This change ensures CDL examinations align with Iowa's official language requirement for government communications, without impacting regular driver's license exams.

Maddy summaryHF 2101 requires all class C commercial driver's license (CDL) examinations in Iowa to be conducted solely in English, removing an existing exception that previously allowed other languages for these tests. It directly affects applicants seeking a class C CDL, which covers vehicles under 26,000 pounds GVWR, hazardous materials transport, or passenger vehicles carrying 16+ people. The bill amends Iowa law to prohibit the Department of Transportation or third-party examiners from using any language other than English during these specific exams. This change applies only to class C CDL examinations, not other driver's license types or non-examination communications at license stations.

Maddy summaryHouse File 132 creates an individual income tax credit for taxpayers who purchase firearm safety devices. This credit is equal to the sales price of the device, up to a maximum of $500 per tax year. A "firearm safety device" includes mechanisms designed to prevent a firearm from being operated without deactivation, or new, steel gun safes purchased for personal use from licensed dealers or retailers. Any unused credit can be carried over to the following tax year, and the bill applies retroactively to purchases made on or after January 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHF 965 increases the state adoption tax credit available against the individual income tax. It raises the maximum credit for qualified adoption expenses from $5,000 to $20,000 per adoption, directly affecting taxpayers who adopt a child. The credit is refundable, meaning any amount exceeding a taxpayer's liability can be returned. This bill takes effect upon enactment and applies retroactively to adoptions finalized on or after January 1, 2024.