Sen. Molly Donahue

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits courts from issuing subpoenas or search warrants to obtain menstrual health data. It directly affects individuals whose menstrual health data - defined as any information created or received by an entity about a person's menstrual health, status, or predictions - might otherwise be sought in legal proceedings. The key provision amends Iowa law to explicitly ban subpoenas for such data under Section 622.63 and prohibits search warrants for digital menstrual health data under Section 808.2. These changes prevent law enforcement or courts from accessing this sensitive personal information through legal process. The bill focuses solely on restricting data collection methods, not on broader health policies.

Maddy summarySF 102 requires all licensed K-12 school staff in Iowa with regular student contact to complete two annual, evidence-based mental health trainings by July 1, 2026. It mandates separate training on educator mental wellness (to occur within the first 60 days of the school year) and student social-emotional wellness with mental health symptom identification (to occur in January or February). Both trainings must follow nationally recognized best practices, and the state board of education will set qualifications for trainers. This bill directly affects school personnel holding licenses or certifications from Iowa's board of educational examiners.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires all Iowa public school districts, accredited nonpublic schools, charter schools, and innovation zone schools to publish mental health resources from "your life Iowa" (a state program) on their websites or link to them online. Schools must also collaborate with enrolled students to develop new ways to improve awareness of these mental health resources. The law directly affects students and schools by mandating accessible online resource sharing and student involvement in awareness efforts. It does not change funding or create new services, but standardizes how schools provide mental health information.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires Iowa school boards to establish a process for appointing student liaisons who serve as nonvoting representatives at board meetings. School districts must create an application and selection process, and if applicants meet the criteria, the board must appoint at least one student to this role. The student liaison attends regular board and committee meetings (but not discipline-related sessions), accesses nonconfidential materials, and advocates for student perspectives on education policies. The Department of Education must provide school districts with a model application and selection process to guide implementation.

Maddy summarySF 78 integrates skilled trades into Iowa's education and workforce programs. It requires school districts, nonpublic schools, and charter schools to include specific trades - like welding, carpentry, electrical work, and HVAC - into curricula. The bill creates internship programs with 1:1 wage matching (up to $5,000 per intern) for students in skilled trades or STEM fields, funded by the Department of Workforce Development. It also establishes regional STEM/trades networks and collaborative initiatives to expand program access statewide. These changes directly affect students, schools, and employers in Iowa's skilled trades sectors.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires Iowa school districts, accredited nonpublic schools, charter schools, and innovation zone schools to provide free breakfast and lunch programs to all students whose families earn at or below 300% of the federal poverty level starting July 2025, increasing to 400% for 2026-2027, and becoming universal (no income limit) beginning July 2027. It appropriates state funds to cover costs not covered by federal programs, ensuring meals meet nutrition standards. The bill directly affects all eligible schools and their students, expanding access to free meals while mandating compliance with federal and state nutrition rules. The state board of education must adopt rules to administer these provisions, effective upon enactment.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires most health insurance plans in Iowa to cover infertility diagnosis, treatment, and fertility preservation services starting July 1, 2025. It mandates coverage for up to three egg retrieval cycles with unlimited embryo transfers (using single embryo transfer when medically appropriate), and ensures fertility medications are covered at the same level as other prescription drugs. Plans must apply the same deductibles, copays, and benefit limits for infertility care as for other medical services. Religious employers may opt out of this requirement with written notice to employees. The law applies to standard health insurance plans but excludes dental, vision, short-term, and certain other specialized coverage types.

Maddy summaryThis proposed constitutional amendment would protect reproductive care - including abortion, contraception, prenatal care, and miscarriage management - as a fundamental right in Iowa, prohibiting state interference with these decisions. It allows state regulation only when necessary for a compelling interest using the least restrictive means, and permits abortion restrictions after fetal viability only if medically necessary to protect a patient’s life or health. The amendment must be approved by voters following legislative passage, as it is currently in committee review.

Maddy summarySF 107 prohibits declawing cats in Iowa, except when performed by a licensed veterinarian for a medical necessity (like treating an injury or infection). The bill directly affects cat owners and veterinarians, banning declawing for cosmetic reasons while allowing it for therapeutic purposes. Violators face civil fines: $500 for a first offense, $1,500 for a second within two years, and $2,500 for a third or subsequent offense within five years. Penalties are deposited into local or state general funds based on the enforcing agency.

Maddy summaryThis bill (SF 66) allows courts to permit minors (under 18) and witnesses with mental illness, intellectual disabilities, or developmental disabilities to testify remotely via two-way video equipment instead of in the same courtroom as the defendant. It requires a court to make a specific finding that this is necessary to prevent trauma that would impair the witness's ability to communicate. The testimony is recorded in a separate room and displayed in the courtroom through a video connection, with only essential personnel and those aiding the witness's well-being allowed in the testimony room. The defendant can view the witness during testimony, and the witness can see the defendant, but the defendant is not physically present in the testimony room. This change aims to reduce emotional distress for vulnerable witnesses while maintaining courtroom procedures.