Sen. Janet Petersen

Maddy summaryThis bill requires health insurance plans and Medicaid to cover annual low-dose CT scans for lung cancer screening for specific at-risk individuals. It defines "at-risk" as people aged 40+ who smoke, have a family history of lung cancer, or have regular exposure to certain carcinogens like asbestos or radon. Private insurance must cover these screenings without cost-sharing (like deductibles or copays), effective January 1, 2027, for most health plans. Medicaid coverage is contingent on securing a federal waiver, after which it must also cover these screenings. The bill excludes certain specialized insurance types, such as accident-only or dental coverage, from these requirements.

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes adding a constitutional amendment to Iowa's Constitution recognizing reproductive freedom as a fundamental right. It would protect services including contraception, abortion, prenatal care, and miscarriage management, stating the state cannot interfere with these private decisions unless a "compelling state interest" is met using the "least restrictive means." The amendment allows state regulation of abortion after fetal viability but prohibits banning abortions medically necessary to protect a patient's life or health. This would apply to all Iowa residents seeking reproductive care and requires voter approval after legislative passage.

Maddy summaryThis resolution honors Staff Sergeant William Nathaniel Howard and Staff Sergeant Edgar Brian Torres-Tovar, Iowa National Guard members killed in action during a December 2025 attack in Syria. It recognizes their military service, posthumous promotions, and sacrifices, while also acknowledging three wounded Iowa Guard soldiers from the same incident. The resolution directs that a copy be sent to the families of the two fallen soldiers as a formal tribute. As a ceremonial resolution, it has no policy or legal effect but serves to memorialize their service.

Maddy summaryThis Iowa bill requires employers to prove wage deductions are lawful and mandates written notices about pay schedules, wage calculation methods, and changes affecting pay. It demands detailed pay statements showing hours worked, sales, miles, or other metrics for each pay period. Employers face penalties including liquidated damages for intentional nonpayment of wages, and the law prohibits retaliation against employees who file wage complaints. The bill directly affects Iowa employers and employees by strengthening wage transparency and enforcement.

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes increasing Iowa's state minimum hourly wage to $15.00 starting July 1, 2026, for most workers, with a lower rate of $14.10 for employees in their first 90 days of employment. It requires annual wage adjustments beginning July 1, 2027, tied directly to the federal Social Security cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) from the previous year. The bill ensures wages can only increase, never decrease, and applies to all covered workers in Iowa. This affects low-wage employees and employers across the state, with the first major increase set for 2026.

Maddy summarySF 505 codifies Iowa's existing Firsthome program under the Iowa Finance Authority, providing financial assistance to eligible first-time homebuyers. The program offers down payment/closing cost grants (capped at $10,000), second loans (repayable upon home sale or refinance), and free title certificates. To qualify, applicants must be first-time homebuyers (including military members with specific service requirements), meet income/price limits, maintain a 640+ credit score, have ≤45% debt-to-income ratio, and occupy the home as a primary residence within 60 days.

Maddy summarySF 562 regulates how health insurers use artificial intelligence in reviewing medical treatments. It requires insurers to ensure AI tools used for prior authorization decisions (like whether a treatment is medically necessary) cannot replace doctors' judgment, must base decisions on patient history and clinical circumstances, and must be non-discriminatory. The bill also sets strict timelines: insurers must respond to urgent requests within 48 hours and non-urgent requests within 10 days, with extensions only for complex cases. Additionally, insurers must publicly post annual statistics on approval/denial rates for all treatments requiring prior authorization. This bill directly affects health insurers, healthcare providers, and patients by increasing transparency and accountability in insurance review processes.

Maddy summarySF 501 requires Iowa's health department to seek federal approval to add coverage for standard fertility preservation services under Medicaid (medical assistance program) and the Hawki program. It directly affects Iowans facing fertility risks from medical treatments like cancer care, including procedures such as egg retrieval and embryo transfers. The bill mandates coverage for up to three completed egg retrievals with unlimited embryo transfers, following American Society for Reproductive Medicine guidelines. Upon federal approval, these programs must immediately provide this coverage to eligible individuals.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires Iowa's children's health insurance program (CHIP) to cover applied behavior analysis (ABA) services for eligible children. It directs the Department of Health and Human Services to seek federal approval for this coverage expansion by submitting a state plan amendment to Medicare and Medicaid services. The change would directly affect children enrolled in CHIP who require ABA therapy, commonly used for developmental conditions like autism. The bill mandates that the medical assistance advisory council adopt rules to include ABA as a covered benefit in qualifying health plans under federal guidelines. It does not create new funding but modifies existing CHIP coverage to add this service.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows Iowa native distilleries without a retail alcohol license (Class C) to offer supervised distilling classes to individuals. Participants must be 21+, can produce up to 750ml per class, and the alcohol cannot be consumed on-site (except for permitted tastings). Distilleries must pay the state 50% of the wholesale price for the alcohol produced in these classes and limit annual production to 300 gallons total. The changes apply specifically to native distilleries operating under Class A licenses.