Sen. Tony Bisignano

Maddy summarySF 129 requires Iowa hospitals to submit specific policies to the state department by September 1, 2025. Hospitals must submit policies on nondiscrimination, reproductive health care (including abortion, miscarriage care, and family planning), and, if they provide labor services, policies on recommended safety practices for childbirth. The state department must post all submitted policies online with a public comparison tool, and hospitals must also display these policies on their own websites without login requirements. Hospitals must submit updated policies within 30 days if they make changes to any required policy.

Maddy summarySF 155 prohibits Iowa employers and employment agencies from asking about an applicant's criminal record before making a conditional job offer. Exceptions apply for positions requiring specific bonds (e.g., due to state/federal law), home-based care roles, or personal services within a residence. The bill creates a task force to study criminal history employment practices and imposes penalties: a written warning for first violations, followed by fines for repeated breaches. It directly affects businesses hiring in Iowa and aims to reduce barriers for job seekers with criminal records.

Maddy summarySF 122 modifies Iowa's state child care assistance program to automatically make children eligible if at least one parent is under 18 years old. This change overrides other standard eligibility requirements and prohibits the Department of Health and Human Services from applying waiting lists to these children. The bill directly affects minors who are parents and their children, ensuring immediate access to child care assistance without additional screening. It creates a specific eligibility pathway for this group within the existing program framework.

Maddy summarySF 133 requires free period products (tampons and pads) to be available in restrooms at no cost for specific state facilities. It applies to state buildings (excluding governor's office, legislature, and courts), health care institutions under the Department of Health and Human Services, the Iowa School for the Deaf, public and nonpublic schools, and correctional facilities. Schools will receive state reimbursement for costs, and all covered entities must provide products appropriate to health needs in designated locations. The bill defines "period products" as tampons and pads for menstrual cycle use. This policy change directly affects students, staff, patients, residents, and the public in these facilities.

Maddy summarySF 147 strengthens wage payment protections for Iowa employees by requiring employers to prove deductions are lawful and obtain written employee authorization for them. It mandates clear written notices about pay schedules, wage calculation methods, and changes affecting pay, plus detailed pay statements showing hours worked, sales, or miles earned. Employers face penalties for non-payment, including liquidated damages and attorney fees, while prohibiting retaliation against employees who file complaints or cooperate in investigations. The bill directly affects all Iowa employers and their workers by clarifying wage transparency and enforcement mechanisms.

Maddy summarySF 144 creates a legal framework for Iowa municipalities (cities, counties, or townships) to establish "land redevelopment trusts." These trusts would help communities address blighted, abandoned, or dilapidated properties by providing a structured tool to rehabilitate them. The bill outlines how trusts are formed (via municipal ordinance or resolution), their governance (with a non-paid board), and their purpose: to return non-productive properties to productive use, support affordable housing, and revitalize neighborhoods. It does not mandate specific actions but enables local governments to create these trusts as needed to tackle property deterioration issues.

Maddy summaryThis bill changes how Iowa school districts receive state funding for approved preschool programs. It increases the enrollment figure used for funding from 50% to 100% of actual eligible student enrollment on October 1 (the "base year"), directly affecting school districts participating in the preschool program. For districts new to the program, it also modifies the initial year funding calculation to use 60% of enrollment multiplied by the state cost per pupil. The changes apply to school budget years starting July 1, 2026.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires Iowa school boards to establish a process for appointing student liaisons who serve as nonvoting representatives at board meetings. School districts must create an application and selection process, and if applicants meet the criteria, the board must appoint at least one student to this role. The student liaison attends regular board and committee meetings (but not discipline-related sessions), accesses nonconfidential materials, and advocates for student perspectives on education policies. The Department of Education must provide school districts with a model application and selection process to guide implementation.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires Iowa school districts, accredited nonpublic schools, charter schools, and innovation zone schools to provide free breakfast and lunch programs to all students whose families earn at or below 300% of the federal poverty level starting July 2025, increasing to 400% for 2026-2027, and becoming universal (no income limit) beginning July 2027. It appropriates state funds to cover costs not covered by federal programs, ensuring meals meet nutrition standards. The bill directly affects all eligible schools and their students, expanding access to free meals while mandating compliance with federal and state nutrition rules. The state board of education must adopt rules to administer these provisions, effective upon enactment.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires most health insurance plans in Iowa to cover infertility diagnosis, treatment, and fertility preservation services starting July 1, 2025. It mandates coverage for up to three egg retrieval cycles with unlimited embryo transfers (using single embryo transfer when medically appropriate), and ensures fertility medications are covered at the same level as other prescription drugs. Plans must apply the same deductibles, copays, and benefit limits for infertility care as for other medical services. Religious employers may opt out of this requirement with written notice to employees. The law applies to standard health insurance plans but excludes dental, vision, short-term, and certain other specialized coverage types.