Sen. Mike Zimmer

Maddy summarySF 420 prohibits Iowa public and nonpublic schools from using names, symbols, or images depicting Native American tribes, individuals, customs, or traditions as mascots, nicknames, logos, or team names after January 1, 2027. The law directly affects all Iowa schools except those controlled by Native American tribes and overseen by the Bureau of Indian Education. It requires schools to change existing branding that falls under these prohibited categories by the 2027 deadline.

Maddy summarySF 414 requires Iowa's Department of Inspections, Appeals, and Licensing (DIAL) to review and approve acquisitions of housing or health care facilities by private equity firms. Private equity firms must notify DIAL 60 days before an acquisition and provide detailed information, including financial records and plans affecting facility operations. DIAL cannot approve an acquisition if it would reduce access to quality, affordable housing or health care services, and must post all pending acquisitions online for public comment. This bill directly affects private equity firms purchasing housing or health care facilities in Iowa, creating a new review process to protect public access to these essential services.

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 summaryThis bill allows Iowa pharmacists to order and dispense FDA-approved self-administered hormonal contraceptives (like pills or patches) directly to patients under statewide protocols. It affects pharmacists and patients seeking contraceptive care without requiring a separate doctor's prescription. Key provisions include requiring the pharmacy board to develop state protocols with health department input, mandating record-keeping, and ensuring pharmacists provide written records to patients. The bill defines "self-administered hormonal contraceptives" as FDA-approved products solely for preventing pregnancy. This changes how contraceptives are accessed, expanding pharmacist authority within defined guidelines.

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 summarySF 327 aligns reimbursement rates for dental providers participating in Iowa's Dental Wellness Plan and Dental Wellness Plan Kids with the Healthy and Well Kids in Iowa (Hawki) program. It requires providers to be paid at the higher of either the usual, customary, and reasonable fee percentage or the commercial dental insurance billing percentage. This change aims to increase provider participation and improve access for plan members by making reimbursement rates more competitive. The bill directly affects dentists and dental practices enrolled in these specific Medicaid programs.

Maddy summarySF 324 establishes the Iowa Family Planning Network under Medicaid by requiring the state to submit a plan amendment to federal authorities (CMS) for approval, using the same benefits and rules as the existing 2017 waiver. It repeals the current state family planning program, but this repeal only takes effect after CMS approves the new Medicaid amendment. The bill also directs state funds to increase awareness of the network's services in areas with high sexually transmitted infection rates, subject to legislative funding.