Sen. Claire Celsi

Maddy summarySF 352 changes Iowa's state child care assistance program to better support providers and families. It requires the state to pay child care providers *before* services begin, based on scheduled hours (not actual attendance), and delays family copayments until after care is provided. The bill also mandates 30 days' written notice before terminating benefits and creates a temporary enrollment pathway: if a child has a sibling already in the program, the provider can notify the state, leading to same-day approval and a 21-day window for the family to apply for full enrollment. This affects child care providers (through faster payments), families (through delayed copayments), and children (with simplified enrollment for siblings).

Maddy summarySF 339 raises Iowa's Medicaid income eligibility threshold for pregnant women and infants from 215% to 375% of the federal poverty level. This change directly affects low-income pregnant women and infants whose families earn up to 375% of the federal poverty guideline, making them eligible for Medicaid coverage. The bill also requires Iowa to implement 12 months of continuous postpartum Medicaid coverage for qualifying pregnant women starting January 2026, and update infant eligibility rules accordingly. These changes align with federal requirements under the American Rescue Plan Act and aim to expand access to healthcare for this population.

Maddy summarySF 357 creates a neighborhood housing revitalization program within Iowa's Finance Authority to provide forgivable loans for home improvements in designated urban and rural areas. It directly affects homeowners who own and occupy their homes in these targeted zones, covering eligible repairs like roof replacements, electrical upgrades, energy efficiency improvements, and accessibility modifications. The program establishes a dedicated fund using unobligated transfers from other state funds, federal grants, or donations, with unspent money rolling over annually instead of reverting to the general fund. The authority will set rules for loan amounts, eligible work, and income-based forgiveness criteria.

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 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 209 requires most health insurance plans in Iowa to cap out-of-pocket costs for prescription insulin at $25 per prescription (for up to a 31-day supply). It directly affects people with diabetes who have insurance covering insulin, limiting their cost-sharing for four types: rapid-acting, short-acting, intermediate-acting, and long-acting insulin. The bill sets this $25 maximum for plans issued or renewed after January 1, 2026, while excluding certain insurance types like Medicare supplements. Insurers may lower costs below $25 but cannot exceed this cap for covered insulin drugs.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes new water quality standards for livestock operations in Iowa by requiring permits for medium and large animal feeding operations (AFOs) under the federal pollution discharge program. It mandates specific manure management practices, storage rules, and inspections to prevent water pollution from runoff and effluent. Farms classified as "medium" or "large" AFOs (based on animal numbers and operation size) must obtain permits and comply with these standards, with penalties for noncompliance. The law directly affects larger livestock farms that could impact local water sources through manure or waste discharge.

Maddy summarySF 131 requires Iowa's Department of Health and Human Services and Department of Education to collaborate on expanding evidence-based home visiting services for pregnant women and infants. The bill directs them to leverage Medicaid and other funding to provide prenatal, pregnancy, and postpartum support - including mental/physical health, social, and educational services - tailored to individual needs. It also authorizes a feasibility study to explore increasing Medicaid coverage for these services and mandates a 2026 report tracking the number of people served. The legislation focuses on coordination, avoiding duplication, and meeting federal evidence-based standards.

Maddy summarySF 157 changes Iowa's unemployment benefit calculation by increasing the maximum benefit amount from 16 to 26 times an individual's weekly benefit amount during a benefit year. This directly affects unemployed Iowans who qualify for benefits, as it allows them to receive more total benefits before reaching the cap. The bill also includes a special provision: workers laid off due to an employer closing their facility get the 26x maximum benefit, even if it exceeds their wage credits. Current law limits benefits to 16x the weekly amount, but this bill expands that limit. The change applies to all eligible individuals, with the exception for business closures triggering the higher cap.

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.