Rep. Adam Zabner

Maddy summaryThis proposed constitutional amendment would establish a fundamental right to reproductive care in Iowa's Constitution, protecting services like contraception, abortion, prenatal care, and infertility treatment. It prohibits the state from interfering with these personal health decisions unless a "compelling state interest" is proven through the "least restrictive means," with specific exceptions allowing post-viability abortion restrictions only when medically necessary to protect a patient's life or health. The amendment directly affects all Iowans seeking reproductive healthcare by enshrining these rights at the constitutional level. If adopted by the legislature and voters, it would replace current state abortion laws with this new constitutional standard, though it remains a proposal pending ratification.

Maddy summaryHF 659 creates a state-administered Iowa Housing Tax Credit Program to support affordable housing development. It allows developers of qualifying low-income housing projects to claim tax credits against certain state taxes, with a $15 million annual cap (plus carryover from previous years). The bill also establishes neighborhood renovation grants and increases tax incentives for first-time homebuyers. These provisions directly affect housing developers, low-income residents, and homebuyers by providing financial tools to build and purchase housing in Iowa.

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 661 creates a comprehensive child care package in Iowa. It expands the state's child and dependent care tax credit to match the federal credit amount (retroactive to 2025), establishes a state grant program to raise wages and provide health insurance/benefits for child care workers, and introduces a new small business tax credit for employers offering on-site or nearby child care (capping at $3,000 per employee annually, with a total $2 million annual limit). The bill also adjusts state child care assistance eligibility, raising required work hours for parents and increasing income thresholds to 265% (basic care) and 290% (special needs) of the federal poverty level, while requiring state reimbursement rates to match private-pay rates. These changes directly affect child care workers, small employers providing child care benefits, and low-income families seeking state assistance.

Maddy summaryHF 676 requires Iowa employers to provide reasonable accommodations to employees with pregnancy- or childbirth-related medical conditions upon the employee's request, supported by their healthcare provider's advice. It defines "reasonable accommodations" to include accessible workspaces, modified equipment, job restructuring, or adjusted schedules, but explicitly states these actions must not impose an undue hardship on the employer. The bill applies directly to employees experiencing pregnancy-related medical conditions and their employers in Iowa. Failure to provide these accommodations would trigger penalties under existing discrimination laws. The bill does not mandate specific accommodations but sets clear parameters for what qualifies as reasonable.

Maddy summaryHF 683 allows Iowa's auditor of state to investigate state government departments for efficiency improvements, at the auditor's discretion. These investigations would be treated as official audits under existing law, granting the auditor subpoena power and the ability to enforce subpoenas through courts or with help from county attorneys or the attorney general. The bill directly affects all state departments subject to these efficiency-focused investigations. It modifies how the auditor conducts such reviews by applying current enforcement mechanisms to these specific efficiency probes.

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 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 355 establishes a program using Iowa's state income tax form to help uninsured residents find health coverage. Starting in 2025, taxpayers filing returns will see new questions about health coverage for themselves, spouses, dependents, and other household members, along with checkboxes to authorize sharing that information with health agencies. If a taxpayer indicates they lack coverage and authorizes sharing, the tax department forwards their details to the health insurance marketplace and health department to assess eligibility for Medicaid or other programs. This voluntary process aims to simplify enrollment in existing coverage options without penalties for non-participation, directly affecting Iowa residents filing state taxes who may qualify for health benefits.