Sen. Matt Blake

Maddy summaryThis bill changes how Iowa calculates workers' compensation benefits for injured workers. It requires including overtime and premium pay (like shift differentials) in the weekly earnings calculation - currently excluded under law - and adds an annual cost-of-living adjustment tied to Social Security’s disability benefit increase. The change directly affects hourly, shift, and overtime workers, as their benefits will now reflect higher average earnings. The annual adjustment applies specifically to permanent total disability and death benefits, not all compensation. This policy update modifies existing calculation methods without altering benefit eligibility.

Maddy summaryThis bill (SF 456) gives Iowa workers injured on the job more control over choosing their treating physician under workers' compensation. It allows employees to predesignate a primary care doctor (who has treated them before and is within 60 miles of work) to handle their injury, and requires employers to inform workers of this right. If employers fail to provide this notice, workers can choose any doctor at the employer’s expense. Disputes over doctor choices must be resolved by the workers’ compensation commissioner within 10-14 days, with options for phone or in-person hearings.

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes adding new constitutional provisions to Iowa that would allow citizens to directly propose and vote on constitutional amendments through initiatives. To qualify, a petition must collect signatures from 10% of voters who cast ballots for governor in the last election, including signatures from at least half of Iowa's counties (5% per county). The proposal requires the secretary of state to submit the amendment to voters at the next general election 125+ days after petition submission, alongside balanced 300-word arguments for and against it. It also restricts initiatives from changing tax classifications, creating monopolies, or specifying tax rates, requiring a "double question" ballot if such restrictions are violated.

Maddy summarySF 401 removes the legal defenses of "justification" and "diminished capacity" for individuals convicted of violent crimes (as defined in Iowa Code 915.10) or assaults (as defined in 915.10 and 708.1) committed due to a victim's sex, sexual orientation, or gender identity. Specifically, these defenses are unavailable when the crime results from a nonviolent sexual advance or the defendant's discovery, knowledge, or potential disclosure of the victim's identity. The bill does not alter the definitions of violent crime or assault but restricts certain legal defenses in these specific circumstances. It applies directly to defendants in such cases, limiting their ability to argue these defenses in court.

Maddy summarySF 353 increases income eligibility limits for Iowa's state child care assistance program (CCA) over several years. For children needing basic care, the limit rises from 160% to 200% of the federal poverty level (FPL) in phases starting July 2025. For children needing special needs care, the limit increases from 200% to 240% of FPL over the same period. The bill also requires the state to set provider reimbursement rates based on the most recent statewide survey of private pay rates, keeping payments between the 65th and 80th percentiles of what providers charge families paying privately. This directly affects low-income families seeking child care assistance and child care providers receiving state payments.

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 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.