Sen. Sarah Garriott

Maddy summarySF 345 requires Iowa school districts to update their absenteeism and truancy policies to explicitly allow excused absences for students undergoing military entrance processing or engaged in military service, alongside existing reasons like illness, medical appointments, and family emergencies. These policies must clearly define unexcused absences, outline penalties, and detail support strategies for students with chronic absenteeism. The bill repeals outdated sections of law related to attendance reporting and enforcement, streamlining how schools handle attendance requirements.

Maddy summaryThis bill provides overtime pay for Iowa state employees earning under $125,000 annually who are not covered by federal overtime rules (Fair Labor Standards Act). It requires these employees to receive 1.5 times their regular hourly rate for overtime hours worked. The bill mandates that salaries for such employees must be set on an hourly basis, not as an annual salary. This change directly affects non-exempt state workers in positions previously not eligible for overtime under state law.

Maddy summarySF 346 modifies grievance procedures for Iowa state employees under the merit system. It requires the director to explain their decision in writing when responding to third-step grievances or disciplinary appeals (like discharge or demotion), including details about interviews conducted, their results, and the reasoning behind the decision. This applies to employees who have exhausted agency-level steps, except those covered by collective bargaining agreements. The bill adds transparency to the process without changing response time limits or filing deadlines.

Maddy summaryThis bill increases the maximum unemployment benefits for workers laid off when their employer closes permanently. It raises the cap from 26 to 39 times the individual's weekly benefit amount during a benefit year. This change directly affects workers who lose jobs due to an employer going out of business at their workplace. The policy adjusts the benefit calculation to provide greater financial support in these specific circumstances.

Maddy summarySF 326 directs Iowa to apply for participation in the federal SUN Bucks program, which provides summer food benefits to children. The bill requires the Department of Health and Human Services to submit an application to the USDA by the bill's effective date and develop an administration plan by April 1, 2025. It appropriates state funds from the general fund to cover administration costs for the summer 2025 program. This would directly affect approximately 240,000 Iowa children eligible for the program, which is funded federally with an estimated $29 million to address summer food insecurity. The bill takes effect immediately and applies retroactively to July 1, 2024.

Maddy summarySF 264 creates a Prescription Drug Affordability Board in Iowa to address high prescription drug costs. The board, appointed by the governor with Senate confirmation, will review drug pricing and may recommend upper payment limits for prescription drugs affecting all Iowans, especially patients with illnesses, opioid crisis communities, and healthcare providers. Key provisions require the board to hold public meetings, accept public input, and enforce strict conflict-of-interest rules (e.g., members cannot receive over $5,000 annually from drug manufacturers). The bill establishes this mechanism to review drug costs but does not yet implement price controls.

Maddy summarySF 263 amends Iowa's public employee collective bargaining laws. It requires negotiations on pay, hours, safety, and other terms (but excludes retirement systems) and mandates written member consent for union dues deductions. The bill imposes a 12-month ban on union representation after decertification due to legal violations like contempt of court. These changes affect public school teachers, city workers, and other state/local government employees covered by union contracts.

Maddy summarySF 217 repeals a requirement that schools obtain parental consent before administering certain student surveys and removes restrictions on school employees answering survey questions about students' social/emotional traits. It mandates that all school districts, accredited nonpublic schools, charter schools, and innovation zone schools must assist the Department of Health and Human Services in administering the biennial Iowa Youth Survey (given to students in grades 6, 8, and 11) and report results to both the Department of Education and Department of Health and Human Services without including any personally identifiable information. The bill directly affects all public and participating nonpublic schools in Iowa by changing how they handle student survey participation and data reporting. It replaces existing consent rules with new obligations tied to the state's youth health survey program.

Maddy summarySF 216 appropriates $750,000 from Iowa's general fund for fiscal year 2025-2026 to improve dementia care coordination. The funds will hire a statewide dementia care coordinator within the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and provide grants to each of Iowa's area agencies on aging to employ a dementia care specialist at each location. This establishes a dedicated state-level role and local support staff to better coordinate care for Iowans living with dementia. The bill directly affects dementia patients, their families, and local aging services providers through enhanced coordination resources.

Maddy summarySF 223 appropriates $2.5 million from Iowa's general fund for the 2024-2025 fiscal year to the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). This funding will be distributed proportionally to nonprofit resettlement agencies that partner with the U.S. Department of State to provide assistance to refugees in Iowa. HHS must distribute the funds within seven days of the bill's enactment to cover resettlement expenses like housing and support services. The bill is procedural, focusing solely on funding allocation without altering refugee policies or eligibility.