Sen. Bill Dotzler

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 417 requires both Medicaid and most private health insurance plans to cover annual low-dose CT lung cancer screenings for at-risk individuals aged 50 or older. It defines "at-risk" as people with a history of regular smoking or secondhand smoke exposure, a family member diagnosed with lung cancer, or occupational exposure to certain carcinogens like asbestos or radon. The bill mandates that insurers cannot impose copays, deductibles, or other out-of-pocket costs for these screenings and requires Medicaid to provide coverage once a federal waiver is approved. This applies to most health insurance plans but excludes specialized coverages like accident-only or dental insurance.

Maddy summarySF 372 amends Iowa's unemployment benefits law to expand eligibility for workers on temporary layoffs. It changes the definition of "short-term seasonal or temporary layoff" to include non-weather conditions beyond highway construction work, removing the requirement for a specific return-to-work date verified by employers. The bill also adds a new provision preventing benefit denial if workers refuse job offers due to unforeseen circumstances (like cybersecurity attacks) causing a temporary business shutdown, provided they expect to return to the same employer. This directly affects unemployed Iowans who were laid off due to seasonal work disruptions or sudden business closures but have a clear path back to their previous jobs.

Maddy summarySF 381 restricts youth employment in Iowa for individuals under 18. It prohibits work for those under 14 entirely, limits under-16s to specific non-hazardous jobs (like retail, food service, or office work) during non-school hours, and bans dangerous occupations such as logging, meatpacking, operating heavy machinery, or working with explosives for all minors. The bill also sets strict work hour limits: no work before 7 a.m. or after 7 p.m. (extended to 9 p.m. June 1-Labor Day), max 8 hours per day, 40 hours per week, and requires 30-minute breaks for 5+ hour shifts. These provisions directly affect employers hiring minors and aim to protect young workers from hazardous conditions and excessive hours.

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.