Sen. Molly Donahue

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 (SF 2073) increases Iowa's minimum auto insurance requirements for drivers. It raises bodily injury coverage to $50,000 per person (up from $20,000) and $100,000 for multiple people (up from $40,000), while increasing property damage coverage to $25,000 (up from $15,000). These changes align standard driver coverage with existing requirements for transportation network company drivers (e.g., Uber/Lyft). The bill also updates penalties: driving without required insurance becomes a misdemeanor with fines up to $645 if involved in an accident, up from $325.

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 2018 requires accredited nonpublic schools in Iowa to directly provide special education services to students with disabilities enrolled in those schools, including identifying needs, developing written plans similar to federal Individualized Education Programs (IEPs), and employing licensed staff. Previously, area education agencies provided these services, but the bill shifts this responsibility to nonpublic schools, which must now cover all associated costs and cannot use agency funding for this purpose. The bill ensures students in nonpublic schools receive services comparable to those in public schools, while area education agencies must continue making such services available in the same manner. These changes align with federal special education requirements and update how services are delivered to students in nonpublic settings.

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 summaryThis bill requires Iowa's state registrar of voters to use data from the Electronic Registration Information Center (ERIC) to automatically update the state's voter registration system. It mandates updates for specific records including duplicate registrations, address changes, deceased voters, and eligible citizens who haven't registered. The ERIC, a nonprofit shared by 24 states, provides this data to help maintain accurate voter rolls without adding new requirements for voters or election officials.

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.